This academic discipline integrates chemical, cellular and molecular approaches to the study of biological processes. Biochemistry plays a critical role in the practice of science and in the world at large. It is through biochemistry that scientists have achieved breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, diabetes, obesity, addiction, Alzheimer's and many other diseases that affect humans, animals and even plants. Biochemistry also informs and complements emerging areas of research in proteomics, genomics, bioinformatics and genetic engineering.