Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Consortia Microorganisms that interact with each other (or at least “coexist peacefully”) when growing together. An example of such interaction/coexistence would be bioleaching.  

The nucleotide sequence (within a DNA molecule) which gives the most common nucleotide at each position (along that sequence of that DNA molecule), for those instances (in certain organisms) where a (usually small) number of variations in nucleotide sequences can occur (e.g., for a given nucleotide sequence such as a promoter sequence). An idealized sequence…

A protein containing a metal or an organic prosthetic group, or both. For example, a glycoprotein is a conjugated protein bearing at least one oligosaccharide group. A protein that is chemically linked with a nonprotein molecule. Included are chromoproteins (e.g., hemoglobin); glycoproteins (e.g., mucin); lecithoproteins, nucleoproteins, and phosphoproteins (e.g., casein).  

The three-dimensional arrangement of substituent groups in a protein or other molecular structure that is free to assume different positions. The geometric form or shape of a protein in three dimensional space. The form or shape of a part, body, material, or molecule.  

The precisely regulated, sequential interaction of proteins (in the blood) that is triggered by a complex of antibody and antigen to cause lysis of infected cells. The triggering of lysis by multivalent antibody-antigen complexes is mediated by the classical pathway, beginning with the activation of CI, the first component (protein) of the pathway. This activation…

The European Union’s (EU’s) scientific advisory organization dealing with approvals of new medicinal products intended use in animals. Its recommendations (e.g., to either approve, or not approve a new product) are usually adopted by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA).  

The British Government agency that must approve new pharmaceutical products for sale within the United Kingdom. In concert with the Medicines Control Agency (MCA), it regulates all pharmaceutical products in the United Kingdom. It is the equivalent of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The official body which advises the British Government on the safety…

The European Union’s (EU’s) scientific advisory organization dealing with new human pharmaceuticals approval. Its recommendations (e.g., to either approve or not approve a new product) are usually adopted by the European Medicines Evaluation Agency (EMEA), to which the CPMP reports. Within 60 days of a CPMP “approval for recommendation” being adopted by the EMEA, each…

An agency of the French government, established to oversee and regulate all genetic engineering activities in the country of France.  

The site on an antibody molecule that locks (binds) onto an epitope (hapten).