The genes contained in DNA code for the production of these proteins. The Central Dogma of Molecular Biology is a theory for the flow of genetic information from the DNA to the final gene product, proteins. Scientists have a good understanding of how to manipulate and clone DNA as well as how to use this genetic information to produce large amounts of a given protein. The limiting step in studying proteins is the production of quality protein crystals. In order to understand the function of a protein and how it carries out this specific function, scientist need to understand its structure.
Structural biology involves the study of the structure of biological molecules.
Its 3-dimensional arrangement of atoms gives each protein a specific and unique structure. The most crucial element of a protein is its active site. This active site is where a protein performs its unique task. By understanding the how the atoms are arranged to produce an active binding site for a protein, scientists can start to understand how and why a protein works. Almost all diseases involve proteins.