Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Here is a nice little article I thought you might enjoy. Get the ingredients and you can even try it at home (YT2095 will love this one no doubt) http://www.nature.com/nsu/040426/040426-5.html

I was going to post this on the thread below this one in the Biochemistry section, but I thought I'd make a new thread for it, since it's (I believe) a different approach. I'm planning on writing something big, a science fiction novel based in the future where a few alien races have been discovered (the storyline doesn't matter). One of the races is supposed to be silicon-based. Since I know this is a problem - some scientists go so far as to say silicon-based life itself is impossible - I have to fully consider the biology making them possible. Since this is fiction, I can invent whatever conditions I want, so long as they could possibly exist. Anyway, here's what I'…

Is this possible? If so, perhaps we can learn alot from them... maybe that'll be a good head start for those who have social phobias.

Hello, There was in interesting article in this Sunday's Chicago Tribune titled, "Science on verge of new 'Creation'" Scientists at Los Alamos and Argonne National Laboratories have devised an experimental process to create and reproduce artificial cells that could eventually be used to make self-repairing materials, among other things. I'm still reading the article, but I thought I'd post where to find the article. http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-0403280359mar28,1,7950284.story

Hello to all. I'm writing a science fiction story. My colonists landed on a planet where all vegetation contains a protein for which humans have no enzyme for digestion. To avoid starvation, they must create and take a synthetic enzyme, added to their water-supply. My questions: If plausible, what would this protein be like, and what would be the enzyme (and the gland) to handle it? Would it be possible in time (with or without help) for the people to evolve to the point where their bodies would produce the needed enzymes? Thanks very much!

Gene techonology is an amazing part of biology, but are humans going against what God had originally intended? what are the long (or short) term effects of using gene technology? Is it morally right? are we playing the role of God? What ethical issues could arise? is it fair? speak your mind!

I am currently a junior high school student at my high school in the US. I have just started my shopping of colleges recently. My most preferred major would be genetics, mainly human genetic engineering or biotechnology. As you may have guessed by now, I am quite clueless . all of the colleges I have looked at so far offer only a Masters or a Doctorate degree in genetics. What are the prerequisites necessary to enroll in a graduate program of genetics? Or if you can, post some colleges that do offer a bachelors program. Just another random question, how relevant is physics to genetics? Any help to guide this newbie high school student would be greatly appreciat…

I am trying to find a chemical reaction involving fruit enzymes that produces cold temps. Just wondering if the final product would be edible? Thanks

Hello, I’ am a student attending high school in Fullerton, California. For my English class we are doing a research project on controversial topics. For my topic I choose: Benefits of genetic engineering. I was wondering if I can interview you over email (victotam123@yahoo.com)by having you answer as much of the following questions as you can (If you would like to remain anonymous, please feel free to tell me in the closing of the email): Do you think genetic engineering is beneficial to mankind? Why or why not? Diseases: 1) Do you think using genetic engineering to cure hereditary diseases is a good idea? 1A) How do you feel a…

http://www.cbc.ca/stories/2004/02/19/brain_chip040219 Thoughts on application and implication?

Ok, can a protein be at a tertiary structure level? Or can they only be at quaternery with more than one polypeptide chain. Tell me if i need to be more clear

I`m sure one or 2 of us here have read the label on a bottle of Multi-Vitamins with Minerals. now all the vitamins I can understand and also some of the minerals, Calcium, Zinc etc,,, I`de like to know why Copper and Manganesse and Molybdenum are important? the reason I ask is because Copper for instance is actualy Poisonous and certainly a Zinc antagonist! (and Males need alot of Zinc). also, could minute traces of other elements such as Lead or Mercury be benneficial in any way? please have a good think before answering as I`m smart enough to already know that those 2 are "heavy metals" and poisonous. but Gold is also, and it`s non toxic and of bennefit…

What is the nature of the space between molecules, such as in air in in water? Is it a true vacuum, or is the presence of neutrinos not negligible in considering its properties.

Height is proportionate to the growth of skeletal bones which occurs through ossification of cartilage; secondary sites of ossification fuse with the central site of ossification when growth ends. I have not looked into the area of height genetics. All I know is that height is polygenic. Nevertheless to what extent is one's full height applicable to recessive and dominant factors? I am wondering if this even applies. Virtually all of the men I have seen are taller than their fathers or at least as tall as their fathers. I suppose that most of the excessive tallness is attributed to the role of androgens in facilitating growth of skeletal bones. Nevertheless the…

I want some of that microbe, sounds fun is there such thing (as far as we know) as a microbe engineer? Will there be some day? Perhaps one day there will be a computer that is attached to a machine with all the chemicals needed to create life--- and on the computer you can design amino acid stuff or whatever and then the machine will build it----- somehow. Sounds cool.

I don't eat particulary well, nor do I exercise. However I am 6 feet tall and only 135. And i'm 19. Two years into college. What keeps me so skinny. Isn't my metabilism supposed to slow down? I certainly am not complaining, just curious.

Is is possible to produce an organic acid from a ketone? and Why or why not?

I know in cloning the life is in the host cell but the instructions are removed and replaced to build upon. I tried doing research on the components of a host cell once the DNA is removed and we are beginning to understand the chemical process of energy storage and usage leading up to replication. If we took a snapshot of where these chemicals were at one instant and reproduced them in a separate tiny membrane bag and introduced DNA, would it be creating life? Maybe with a little electrical jolt to get it started or a presssure of excess ATP to get the chemical reactions going. I was just curious if we are getting that close. Just aman

I just wanted to hear everyone's thoughts on the subject. If anyone knows what the current usage is, and what is the risk factor in using it. Also, I know there have been many rumors of people being frozen, but i was wondering what is the longest someone has been frozen, and are there any people right now, who are frozen, inorder to preserve their lives, and want to wake up in a few years

I am applying for Grad school in Jan.'04 for research in Cancer Biology, I have come across the option of taking GRE Subject test in Biology instead of just the standardized general GRE. Any thoughts?

This is the first post in here it appears so here is my question: How long until we are truly able to interface electronics with our nervous systems. There are preliminary trials for electronic eyes hooked up to the optical nerve. Think what could be done...

I'm a bit confused about something. I've read that you can take the nucleus of a cell (at least I believe it is just the nucleus), and inject that into the membrane of another cell. I believe the membrane would also contain the cytoplasm, right? For example, cell A and cell B. If I take the nucleus from cell A and insert it into cell B (with it's nucleus removed), that cell would contain the cytoplasm of cell B, right? Or would it be the cytoplasm from cell A?? The reason I ask is because, if I recall correctly, we learned in class that the mitochondrial DNA is present in the cytoplasm. The mtDNA from a mother snail will determine the direction of shell coiling in…

There's a short article in the latest issue of scientific american about a research team that removed molars from six-month old pigs and disolved them. Then they placed in scaffolding and placed into rats' abdomens to grow. In third weeks, two-millimeter molar crowns emerged complete with pulp chambers, root tips, layers of dentin and enamel. Pretty cool if you ask me. Maybe one day this will replace dentures

i was thinking, what is one of the most efficient engines the planet has. us! so if we're so good y don't we use other biological things for power? ie, clyvesdales walking around in a circle pulling that thing or whatever in the 18th-19th centuries, etc. would it b possible sometime now, or in the near-medium future to engineer an organism that performs a simple task such as rotating an axle? it wouldn't have to b very complicated, basically just a big blob that's created out of living tissue which does its tasks. if it's made well it could last a long time. but i suppose it is susceptible to disease and such. also u will have to feed it. also it is probably aga…

It's a long shot, but does anyone know whether knocking out the associated mismatch-repair exonuclease (so it is present but non-functional) stops DNA synthesis by the main DNA replicase in its tracks when a mismatch occurs, or just slows down synthesis? I know the answer might differ for the various types, but i think i can cope with the shock... (I ask because the normally excellent MBoC seems to contradict itself on this : / )