Book excerpt: Basic Principles in Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Volume I provides information pertinent to the fundamental aspects of nucleic acids. This book discusses the development of the basic principles in nucleic acid research that will serve as a foundation for further advancement in nucleic acid research. Organized into six chapters, this volume begins with an overview of the history of the scientific study of nucleic acid as a genetic material. This text then examines the utility of the analogs of the naturally occurring nucleic acid components as biochemical tools and as therapeutic agents. Other chapters consider mass spectrometry that deals with the production and chemistry of ions in the vapor phase. This book discusses as well the various aspects of the excited states of the nucleic acids. The final chapter deals with the systematic study of the physiochemical properties of the monomeric units of nucleic acid. This book is a valuable resource for molecular biologists, scientists, and research workers.