Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

VH “heavy chains” (portion of antibody molecules) produced by genetically engineered Escherichia coli cells that act to bind antigens in a manner similar to antibodies or monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Similar to MAbs, dAbs can be produced in large quantities, to be used as human or animal therapeutics (e.g., to combat diseases).  

A “genetic mapping” technique that utilizes the fact that microsatellite sequences “repeat” (appear repeatedly in sequence within the DNA molecule) in a manner enabling them to be used as “markers.”  

A protein that yields only amino acids on hydrolysis (i.e., cleavage into fragments) and does not have other constituents such as lipids or polysaccharide attachments. Any of the proteins that produce alpha amino acids on hydrolysis (e.g., albumins, albuminoids, globulins, glutelins, histones, prolamines, and protamines).  

A natural, protein polymer with a predominance of alanine and glycine amino acids. Silk is produced by silkworms that have fed on mulberry tree leaves. The body of a silkworm can retain proteins (i.e., raw material for silk) amounting to as much as 20% of its body weight. It is thought that silk may be…

A mutation in a gene that causes no detectable change in the biological characteristics of that gene’s product (e.g., a protein). A change in a single nucleotide that does not change the amino acid sequence of a protein (e.g., in DNA, the codons AAA and AAG both designate the amino acid phenylalanine).  

The “communication” that occurs between and within cells of an organism, e.g., via hormones. Such signalling “tells” certain cells to grow, change, or produce specific proteins at specific times.  

A vector capable of replicating in two unrelated species. A short DNA segment, such as may be found in a bacteriophage or a plasmid, that carries DNA between organisms of two different species.  

A technique for gene-into-cell introduction in which the gene is attached to tiny “bullets” made of tungsten or other metal. By means of a special device (“gene gun”) the tiny particles are then literally “shot” through the plasma membrane into plant cells with: High-pressure gas (e.g., the GENEBOOSTER® gun developed at Hungary’s Agricultural Biotechnology Center…

A technique for obtaining the desired gene that involves “chopping up” the entire genetic complement of a cell using restriction enzymes, then attaching each (resultant) DNA fragment to a vector and transferring it into a bacterium, and finally screening those (engineered) bacteria to locate the bacteria that are producing the desired product (e.g., a protein).…

An infrequent occurrence in which two adjacent bacteria stretch out portions of their (cell) membranes to touch one another, fuse; and then pass transposons, jumping genes, or plasmids to each other.