Determining the structure of biological macromolecules

Abstract

In the evolution of science in the last few decades, the most striking feature has been the increased use of physical techniques in all the principal scientific disciplines. In chemistry this 'take-over-bid' is almost complete, and in biology it is gaining increased momentum. Revolution in thought (like the acceptance by biologists that fundamental life processes might be explained in terms of atoms and molecules interacting in accordance with well-established laws), and new and fundamental discoveries in physical science, were obvious prerequisites of this surge of progress.