Full of novel insights informed by years of research and teaching, this new text examines the biophysics and biochemistry of nucleic acids and proteins. This book carves out the dynamic interface between chemistry and molecular biology, and provides a detailed picture of nucleic acids and proteins, their structures, biological properties, and origins and evolution. While pitched at a level that is accessible to upper-level undergraduate students of biology, the book will likewise be of keen inter..est to researchers and graduate students in biology, chemistry and the physical sciences. A broad range of topics accompanied with extensive references, footnotes, boxed asides, chapter ending problems, and detailed illustrations throughout combine to make this an ideal choice for courses on advanced biochemistry, physical biochemistry, nucleic acids and proteins, biophysics and biochemistry, molecular evolution, and protein-nucleic acid interactions.