Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Common in bacteria. The decreased expression of catabolic enzymes as brought about by a catabolite such as glucose. For example, glucose is the preferred fuel source for certain bacteria and when it is present in the culture medium it represses the formation of enzymes that are required for the utilization of other fuel sugars, such…

A “package” of genetic material (containing more than one gene) that is inserted into the genome of a cell via gene splicing techniques. May include promoter(s), leader sequence, termination codon, etc. A device used in radiography for holding a sheet of x-ray film and a set of screens. The cassette may also have a grid.…

Compounds produced by the body which also have immunosuppressive activity.  

The selective, deliberate alteration/creation of carbohydrates (and the oligosaccharide side chains of glycoprotein molecules) by man.  

An antineoplastic (i.e., anticancer) low molecular weight polymer that acts against several types of cancer tumors, perhaps via stimulation of the patient’s immune system. It has minimal toxicity.  

The external protein coat of a virus particle that surrounds the nucleic acid. The individual proteins that make up the capsid are called capsomers or protein subunits. It has been discovered that resistance to certain viral diseases may be imparted to some plants by inserting the gene for production of the protein coat into the…

also known as CRP, catabolite regulator protein (or cyclic AMP receptor protein). The protein mediates the action of cyclic AMP (cAMP) on transcription in that cAMP and CAP must first combine. The cAMP-CAP complex then binds to the promoter regions of Escherichia coli and stimulates transcription of its operon. Since a cell component increases rather…

An application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seeking approval of a drug that has undergone Phase 2 and Phase 3 clinical trials. A CANDA is submitted in the form of computer-readable (e.g., clinical) data that provides the FDA with a sophisticated database that allows the FDA reviewers to evaluate (e.g., statistically) the…

An uncommon amino acid. It is used in biology as an arginine (another amino acid) analogue. It is a potent growth inhibitor of many organisms. An amino acid produced by some leguminous plants, such as the jack bean. It is used primarily for feeding stock. It is structurally related to L-arginine. It prevents the growth…

(Means “beautiful buttocks” in the Greek language) An inherited trait in livestock (e.g., sheep) that results in thicker, meatier hindquarters. First identified as a genetic trait in 1983, this desirable trait results in a higher meat yield per animal.