Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

I was wondering is 5-HTP transdermal? I want to know because I see alot of advertisements on the internet for 5-HTP cream, but I don't know if 5-HTP can be applied transdermally or not without their cream. I was thinking that getting capsules of 5-HTP, then putting it into a liquid, then applying it would do the same thing. I would like to use it. Any help would be appreciated... Please answer?

Melbourne, Australia, two weeks ago, hosted a major conference on agricultural biotechnology. There were delegates from all over the world. Perhaps, the one delegate who caught my eye was Professor Jenifer Thomson of South Africa. I have just been reading a post on Prof. Thomson’s speech in Gmo Food For Thought Blog (http://www.gmofoodforthought.com/2006/08/biotechnology_can_feed_people.htm#more). Prof Thomson chairs the prestigious the Kenyan-based African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF). She is an expert in agricultural biotechnology. In her address, she railed at European countries for their obstructionist behavior with regard to genetically m…

A question about stinging nettles, since it is my favorite plant im eager to know this. The poison it injects with its stinging hair, what is the chemical composition of them? ive heard from several different sources which of the chemical makes it sting, but some say different things. i have read that its either formic acid or some mix of histamine, acetylcholine and serotonin(?) . or a mix of formic acid and all the others mentioned. Anyone knows which of them are the true chemicals that causes the irritation and burning from nettle stings?

Okay I know in single straded form DNA of 7 nucleotides has been shown to circulize. However, dsDNA is like a rigid rod. Most natural plasmids are at the smallest 1.5- 2 kb long. I've been told that a dsDNA sequene of around 600bp would thus be very unlikely to circulize in a ligation reaction. Which would leave this said ligation of long linear chains forming. Some of which would circulize in the end when they got long enough to favor it. Anyone know on the size limit for the circulization of dsDNA in a ligation reaction?

I'm curious if anyone here has any experience in creating metabolite extracts, bacterial in my case but I think it wouldn't be too hard to modify other protocols maybe for mammals to suit my needs. I'm interested in getting the fullest spectrum of chemical species possible. I have a few places to start but I'm wondering maybe someone reading this has more experience and can possibly suggest a couple decent protocols.

My sister has an infected lymph node, and I was having a look at some of her puss. I found this. What is it?

What percentage of side chain group of histidine that is in basic form at 6.5 have if the pKa for the side chain is 6.0. how is this done?

http://www.seedmagazine.com/news/2006/04/the_quantum_shortcut.php *gasp*

Africa is inching closer to adopting biotechnology. A panel of African scientists and policy makers has drafted a White Paper on biotechnology, to be submitted to African heads of state summit, planned for January 2007. Among the key highlights of the report is regionalization of biotechnology investments. The panel envisages need-based biotech investments. This proposal has stirred controversy – which I believe is unwarranted - with some countries fearing that they will be starved of research funds. Supporters of the proposal argue that regionalization of biotech investments will accelerate the adoption of GMOs in Africa. I agree with them, and you can read my …

Hello, I was wondering if somebody had some experience with expression of small peptide in mammalian cells. I wanna express a transmembrane domain in mammalian cells which is about 40aa in addition to a tag peptide. I tried two vectors (pCI-neo and pcDNA3.1) to express these recombinant peptide in mammalian cells but both of them failed. I search online and found out that other groups used in vitro translation system to express transmembrane peptide. I can not find out any information about expression of small peptide in mammalian cells. Any information you provide is much appreciated. Thanks Julia

I want to isolate DNA from the bacterias (both Gram positive and negative bacterias) in drinking water. Do you have any protocols which is good for this purpose? THank you very much!

Hi, I'm applying for a Biochemistry course at Uni, and was looking to read some good books on Biochemistry that I could mention on my personal statement. I'm having a hard time finding anything good at the library and I have taken books home, only to find they are too difficult/boringly wriiten, more than once. Has anyone got any suggestions? I am curently reading The Thread of Life from Cambridge University Press, and that's quite interesting.

Hello. I am a 9º grade student, but i am already concerned about what am i going to study when i finish school. I like chemistry and biology, and i cant get any information about biochemistry. I would be gratefull if anyone can provide me with any simple information about this area. Thank you.

Sometimes ago, I found myself embroiled in a debate over whether genetically modified (GM) crops can help smallholder farmers improve their standards of living. I pitched that GM crops hold promise to smallholder farmers just the same way they do to commercial farmers. My opponents shot back that GM seeds are so expensive that only the well-heeled farmers can afford them. The debate stretched on and on, and ended without a consensus. I still stand by my position that smallholder farmers, especially in developing countries, stand to gain immensely, from genetically modified crops. Take the new genetically modified maize, developed by Mexican researchers, that is …

If a gene mutates in an offspring, will that mutation be permanent? Suppose you had a sheep that was born with two heads. If that sheep was to have offspring of his own, would those offspring have at least a 1 in 4 chance of inhereting an extra head? Of course, evolution wouldn't work if mutations weren't permanent from one generation to the next, but I'm wondering if this is only true for some mutations, while others get "restored" back to the original DNA configuration after one generation.

The other day, I was listening to Norman Borlaug being interviewed in Penn Jillette’s radio show (http://podcast.penn.freefm.com/penn/25352.mp3) about his work in the field of agricultural biotechnology. Asked about his attitude towards anti-biotech activists, Dr. Borlaug, the 1976 Nobel Peace Prize winner, dismissed them as saber rattlers who have never produced a tonne of food. I unreservedly concur with Dr. Borlaug. Anti-biotech activists are nothing but noisemakers out to deny farmers, especially in poor countries, a chance to enjoy the benefits of modern agricultural biotechnology. Just recently, Michael Hansen, a researcher at the U.S.-based Consumer Polic…

I just watched some past episodes from star trek. For people that are unfamiliar with the Trek universe I've given a brief description if you are interest in reading all of it. My question is as the subject says, why does the media portray genetic engineering in such a bad light? In the 1970s a group of humans genetically engineered a few thousand humans, thus creating stronger, faster, and smarter humans(they pretty redesigned humanity. They were suppose to have about double the intelligence. I dont know if this number is right so someone correct me if I'm wrong. The average IQ is about 100-110. So if they were twice as smart their IQs would be 200-220. If I remember…

I have been told that there are 2 strands of DNA in the helix because the complementary strand prevents mutation to the structure and makes it more stable. this makes sense, but my problem is that this suggests that only one strand codes for anything. My teachers said the DNA is read from the 5' end to the 3' end (or vice versa?), and so it cannot read the DNA on the other side, but surely, if the whole molecule is turned through 180 degrees, the complementary bases can be read? And if not, is there a marker which signifies the strand to be read? They also said that DNA can only be read from a promoter sequence, but surely these can exist in the other strand? I'd real…

I have never understood why Africans still harbor xenophobic tendencies towards genetically modified foods. To most Africans, benefits of genetically modified foods is exaggerated and not worth any consideration. What they don’t know is that Americans and Europeans, who apparently they loathe, readily eat these foods. They make billions of dollars from trade involving them. The elites in Africa, unfortunately, have not done much to educate the lay people about the potential benefits of genetically food. So, blind opposition to genetically modified food continues, to the detriment of the masses. I am making this post because of some events that are currently unfolding …

There is general feeling that the Europe has closed its doors on agricultural crop biotechnology. This is not true. Genetic engineering, especially in the agricultural field is very much alive in Europe. Dr. C Kameswara Rao, a biotechnology scientist from India, in his blog, FBAE Blog, writes that despite the ongoing campaign against genetically modified foods by anti-biotech activists, the European Union (EU) has approved about 190 genetically modified crops for field testing. Another pointer to the changing attitude about genetically modified foods in Europe, according to Dr. Rao, is the fact that the EU agreed to lift a moratorium it had slapped on biotechnology f…

What are your opinions on germline gene therapy if it becomes a feasible reality?

Hi all: Not sure if this is the right forum, but there wasn't any microbiology subforum so oh well... I was watching this show on the science channel and it was about some scientist on an ocean voyage collecting samples of the microbial life. The samples were sent back and their genes were blasted through a super computer and such. Anyway, I was wondering if perhaps one day if/when we are able to program genes, if it would be possible to create a microbe that secretes some sort of sludge/gas that could be used as fuel, or improving Ethanol production? Is that pure sci-fi or is there any hope for some system like that? Could microbes be th…

The bureaucrats at the European Union (EU) continue to block free movement of genetically modified crops in Europe. Despite the ruling by the World Trade Organization (WTO), in February this year, that such actions violate trade rules, the EU remains recalcitrant. It’s vowing to ignore the WTO ruling, which in itself is irresponsible. Why did the EU, in the first place, subject itself to WTO arbitration process if it well-knew it would trash a ruling that fell short of supporting its position? The EU must be reasonable. It should do what’s expected of civilized trade blocks – subject itself to the laws of the WTO. Pointedly, there are millions of farmers in Europe…

Iran, and to be specific, the Mullahs and Ayatollahs, calling the shots in Tehran want to develop nuclear weapons under the guise of nuclear energy. Iran’s ambition for a nuclear weapon has given it a bad name. But is every Iranian a devil? I don’t think so. I agree with the Bush Administration that ordinary Iranians are like you and me. They’re a part of the global society and have made enormous contribution in all spheres of life, including science and technology. Two weeks ago, just to cite an example, Iranian scientists released a report endorsing consumption of genetically modified rice. Considering that GM rice is a Western innovation, few people would have…

If somebody was to ask you to mention two things that are currently shaping the world, how would you answer? Computers, obviously, would be the first answer. Quite a good number of people will also mention automobiles. What most people don't yet know is that biotechnology is playing a pivotal role in reshaping the world. Biotechnology straddles many sectors of the world economy, from agriculture to medicine. To reinforce this argument, two scientists from North Dakota State University, United States of America, have just released a report that cites biotechnology as a key factor that's shaping the world agriculture. One of their justification for this finding i…