r_bo_99

Of the books you have listed I've only read "Genome", which I enjoyed quite a bit. Although not really a counterpoint to "Genome", a book that offers an intriguing view of genomic data is "The Triple Helix" by Lewontin. I almost hate to recommend it though, I thought it was fairly downbeat and pessimistic. Later, R.

If you don't want to plow through the whole book (it's long!) there's a nice introduction to Cellular Automata in Wolfram's talk, "The Biomedical Implications of a New Kind of Science" Then again, it might be better to talk about the existence of God, it seems like we're nearing a resolution on that topic.

Thanks for your response! I'm not really into the idea of computer consciousness, nothing against it either, but my main interest is biomodeling is toward human health and medicine. It's a broad topic, no doubt. Have you read John Holland's "Hidden Order"? Are there any books you would recommend? Thanks again, Randy

Hello, I have a Google groups forum for general interest literature related to biomodeling at: http://groups.google.com/group/bebobio?lnk=gschg&hl=en For book reviews related to complex adaptive systems (CAS) I recommend Susan Stepney's page: http://www-users.cs.york.ac.uk/%7Esusan/index.htm I think the Book Talk area of this forum is an excellent idea! Thanks, Randy

Here's a link to an interesting article talking about the role of mutations in mtDNA on metastasis. http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2008/403/1 Randy (BeBoBio)

I'm very weak in immunology, but when an antigen is encountered in vivo it is handled by the immune system in one of two different pathways: cross-linking or presentation by an APC (Antigen Presenting Cell). If your detecting antibody was derived from the latter pathway, then the protein had already been denatured by the APC when the antibodies were developed, therefore denaturing with SDS should be the same as denaturing by the APC. Bottom line: if your protein of interest is viral or self-protein, and the antibody was developed in a different species, then it should be recognized by the antibody, whether it is contiguous or not. Doesn't that seem correct? PS I have zero experience with Westerns, this is a conjecture on my part. Rock on, Randy

I've often wished I could improve my memory! Let me know what you find out. I haven't used them, but there are a couple software tools designed to help marshal your thoughts and ideas and put them in a format that allows you to make new, profound connections that you wouldn't have made otherwise. MindMaps is one: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map Sort of an artificial way of improving one's memory. Later, R.

Thank you both for your replies. I think that those working to model a mouse brain are at the forefront of a movement that will revolutionize the life sciences. I realize that the optimistic consensus for a computationally tractable, predictive model is 50 years, but I believe that it will happen sooner. Check out the Center for Cell Dynamics http://www.celldynamics.org/celldynamics/index.html I have some other links and relevant files on my Google groups page ( http://groups.google.com/group/bebobio?lnk=gschg&hl=en ). I do not doubt the awesome power of modern mol-bio. What I do doubt is the ability of humans to make sense of the data. The computer is an excellent (even if not perfect) tool that is under-utilized in biology. Have you read "The City and the Stars"? An off-topic question, but I wonder, how influential is fiction in forging our dreams? Thanks again, Randy

Hello, How soon, if ever, do you believe we'll be able to predictively model an entire organism using a computer? I think it will be soon. I'm a layman interested in the subject, and I have a Google Groups page devoted to general interest literature related to Biomodeling, check it out if you have a chance: http://groups.google.com/group/bebobio?hl=en Why should we be interested in Biomodeling? The life sciences move too slowly, in vivo research is too inefficient, the data is too complex to understand using human intuition alone IMHO. Thanks in advance for your thoughts...... Off Topic - Arthur C. Clarke "sic transit gloria mundi" - Thus passes the glory of this world.