Oligomerization is a process in chemistry and biochemistry where smaller molecules, called monomers, combine to form larger structures, called oligomers. This process is common in the formation of polymers, such as proteins and nucleic acids, where monomers like amino acids or nucleotides join together to form chains. Oligomerization is a critical step in many biological processes, including signal transduction, enzyme activation, and protein-protein interactions. Studying oligomerization can provide insights into the structure and function of complex biological molecules and pathways.