Posts

BS5002 - Cellular Biochemistry (TERM 2 | WEEK 1 - Cloning a disease gene)

Image
Key learning objectives list: LO1 - How to prepare 'donor DNA' for cloning LO2 - Understand the concept of gene libraries LO3 - Understand phage vectors used to create gene libraries LO1 -  How to prepare 'donor DNA' for cloning Step 1: Choose a tissue The final product of transcription of DNA is mature mRNA. This type of mRNA has been fully spliced (introns excised and exons ligated), leaving only the coding sequence of the gene. Mature (spliced) mRNA. This mRNA can be translated directly to synthesise proteins in the ribosome. It is important to choose a tissue that expresses a fairly large level of mRNA from the gene of interest. Step 2: RNA extraction Whilst various methods exist, one of the most common methods for extracting total RNA from a biological sample is AGPC (acid guanidinium thiocyanate-phenol-chloroform extraction). Step 3: mRNA purification Again, there are numerous methods for mRNA isolation from

BS5002 - Cellular Biochemistry (TERM 2 | WEEK 1 - Genetics & human disease)

Image
Key learning objectives list: LO1 - Understand cosegregation and linkage LO2 - Understand lyonization of X chromosomes in females LO3 - Understand chromosomal disorders LO4 - Understand the types of chromosomal mutations LO5 - Understand Mendelian and non-Mendelian inheritance (with examples) LO1 -  Understand cosegregation and linkage Cosegregation:  The transmission, together, of 2 or more genes on the same chromosome, as a result of their being in very close physical proximity to one another (i.e., linked). So what is gene transmission? Quite simply, it is the transfer of genetic information, typically from a parent to a child (although it can be an intracellular transfer too). Linked Gene 1 and 2 are likely to be cosegregated (transmitted together from parent to child) due to their close proximity. Linked genes have a recombination frequency that is less than 50% Genes located on different chromosomes have a recombination frequency equal to 50%

BS5005 - Infection & Immunity (TERM 2 | WEEK 2 - Cells of the anatomy and the immune system)

Image
Key learning objectives list: LO1 - Describe the major components of the host defence against infection LO2 - Understand the cells associated with innate and adaptive immune response LO3 - Understand where the cells of the immune system develop and where they are located LO1 - Describe the major components of the host defence against infection The immune response can be split into 2 separate components. Key points of the innate immunity Present from birth Non-antigen specific Rapid response No memory cells Cellular & humoral mechanisms Key points of the adaptive immunity Memory cells Antigen specificity Slow response Cellular & humoral mechanisms LO2 - Understand the cells associated with innate and adaptive immune response Innate immunity Monocytes - 10% of the white blood cells - Heterogenous (differentiate into multiple subsets of cells) - Classical: in the blood, circulate and migrate where they differe

The curious case of Tagatose...

Image
It's quite an exciting thing on the face of it. 92% as sweet as sucrose with only 38% of the calories. An incredibly low glycemic index of 3 (sucrose has a GI of 65-68). Texture and stability so similar to that of refined sugar, allowing it to be used in a 1:1 ratio in baking with an almost indistinguishable taste profile. No tooth decaying properties.  So why has no one heard of Tagatose? Granulated tagose resembling common refined sugar Where did it come from? The discovery of Tagatose is equally as strange as its obscurity. Dr. Gilbert V. Levin, an American engineer, was the principal investigator of the Viking mission 'Labeled Release' exobiological experiment on the surface of Mars in 1976 - an attempt to discover Martian microbial life. Dr. Gilbert V Levin Dr. Levin invented and utilised a novel technique he termed radiorespirometry in his search for microbial life. Simply put, he'd add tiny amounts of radioactive material into nutrient solution,

BS5001 - Project proposal - Finding a gap in knowledge

Image
Term 2 is officially under way! Whilst we aren't in the midst of our own proposal preparation stage quite yet, we began the term by looking at previous proposals and having a go at grading using the marking scheme and pro-forma. Whilst it might not seem immediately relevant, it is definitely worth the effort! By seeing how other papers have been marked and looking at what the lecturers are looking for, I'm already noticing ways I can improve my own work. But, onto the proposal. The key to begin with is finding a "gap in knowledge" . I'm going to take you through my thinking for the easiest way this can be done. It may not be the purest way of arriving at your proposal idea, if you're reading this page then it's possible you're struggling with this aspect yourself and need a leg-up to get started. 1)  Go to PubMed. 2) Search a word or term you are interested in (insulin resistance, neuropathy, Alzheimer's etc). 3) Under article types