Bioconjugation is a chemical technique used to covalently link two molecules, at least one of which is a biomolecule, such as a protein or a nucleic acid. It is a key technology in a variety of fields, including medicine, biotechnology, and materials science.
The field of bioconjugation emerged in the mid-20th century. It was born out of the need to label biomolecules with fluorescent dyes and other tags so that they could be studied. The first bioconjugation reactions were developed in the 1940s and 1950s. These reactions were simple, but they laid the groundwork for the more sophisticated bioconjugation reactions that would follow. The field has continued to evolve over the years, with new technologies and methodologies emerging all the time.
Today, bioconjugation is a critical part of the biotechnology industry. It is used to produce a wide variety of products, including antibody-drug conjugates, diagnostic assays, and biomaterials. The demand for bioconjugation chemists is high, and the field is expected to continue to grow in the coming years. The field is constantly evolving, with new technologies and platforms emerging all the time.