Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

The specific amino acids (and the order in which they are coupled together) that comprise a given segment of a protein molecule.  

The specific nucleic acids that comprise a given segment of a DNA molecule.  

Normal (forward) orientation of DNA sequence (gene) in genome. Taste, smell, touch, hearing, and vision. Senses provide people with information about the world around them. The senses receive sensory material from the environment, such as light, sound, odors, and vibrations. One of the faculties by which the qualities of the external environment are appreciated, i.e.…

An association of approximately 35 of the largest European companies that are engaged in at least some form of genetic engineering research or production. Similar to America’s Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), the SAGB works with governments and the public to promote safe and rational advancement of genetic engineering and biotechnology. It was formed in 1989…

An antibody that is produced (e.g., via monoclonal antibody techniques) in response to a carefully selected antigen (i.e., one of the molecules involved in the chemical reaction that you are trying to catalyze). Such an antibody is then made to be catalytic by “attaching” a (molecular) group that is known to catalyze the desired chemical…

The essentially automatic ordering and assembly of certain molecules into a large structure. Examples of such large molecular structures include micelles, reverse micelles, ribosomes, and Tobacco Mosaic Virus (TMV). The first discovery of a self-assembling active biological structure occurred in 1955, when Heinz Frankel-Conrat and Robley Williams showed that TMV will reassemble into functioning, infectious…

Also called LEC-CAMs (leukocyte-cell adhesion molecules). A class of molecular structurally related lectins that mediate (i.e., control, cause, etc.) the contacts between a variety of cells (e.g., leukocytes and endothelial cells); and function as cellular adhesion receptors. Any of a group of cell surface molecules that influence the attachment and movement of white blood cells…

Also known as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). A surfactant commonly used in biochemical and biotechnological applications for the solubilization of membrane components and hardto-solubilize (dissolve) molecules. For example, it is often utilized at high concentration in water solution (e.g., along with potassium acetate) to dissolve plant DNA samples (e.g., when a scientist wants to sequence…

The transition step in moving a (chemical) process from experimental (e.g., “test tube,” small, bench) scale to a larger scale producing more or much more product that the bench scale (e.g., production of tons/year in a chemical plant). A process may require a number of scaleups, which each scale-up producing more product than the last…

Paralytic poisons that are produced by certain shellfish. A neurotoxin produced by some dinoflagellates and concentrated during feeding by mollusks such as mussels and clams. It causes paralytic shellfish poisoning.