Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

An oncogene that is believed to be responsible for up to 90% of all human pancreatic cancer, 50% of human colon cancers, 40% of lung cancers, and 30% of leukemias. The ras gene is present in the DNA of all human tissues, and codes for ras proteins, which help to signal each cell to divide…

A broad term used to describe the various testing products/technologies that can be utilized to quickly detect the presence of microorganisms (e.g., pathogenic bacteria in a food processing plant). These testing products are based on immunoassay, DNA probe, electrical conductance and/or impedance, bioluminescence, and enzyme-induced reactions (e.g., which produce fluorescence or a color change to…

A genetic mapping methodology that utilizes as its basis the fact that specific DNA sequences (polymorphic DNA) are “repeated” (i.e., appear in sequence) with gene of interest. Thus, the polymorphic DNA sequences are linked to that specific gene. Their linked presence serves to facilitate genetic mapping (i.e., “location” of specific gene(s) on an organism’s genome).…

A method of using a radiolabeled antibody to quantitate a known antigen.  

A very sensitive method of quantitating a specific antigen using a specific radiolabeled antibody. Functionally, the antibody is made radioactive by the covalent incorporation of radioactive iodine. The radioimmuno probe thus prepared is exposed to its antigen (which may be a protein, or a receptor, etc.) in excess (the exact amount will have to be…

An isotope with an unstable nucleus that spontaneously emits radiation. The radiation emitted includes alpha particles, nucleons, electrons, and gamma rays. An isotope which sends out radiation, used in radiotherapy and scanning. An unstable atom with particles, which when they are released by the atom also results in the release of energy as α, β,…

An equimolar (i.e., equal number of molecules) mixture of the D and L stereoisomers of an optically active compound. A solution of dextrorotary (D) isomer (enantiomer) will rotate the plane in which the light was polarized a specific number of degrees to the right (dextro) while a solution containing the same number of levorotary (L)…