Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

Proteins that stimulate formation of blood vessels (e.g., in tissue being formed by the body to repair wounds). A group of polypeptides that stimulate the formation of new blood vessels. They include agents like vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and blood vessel fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF). These factors are active in healing wounds, chronic inflammatory…

A small protein that forms plaques in the brains and in the brain blood vessels of victims of Alzheimer’s disease. AβP forms cation-selective ion channels in lipid bilayers (e.g., membranes surrounding cells). This ion channel formation disrupts calcium homeostasis, allowing (destructive) high concentrations of calcium ions in brain cells.  

A compound capable of both donating and accepting protons, and thus able to act chemically as either an acid or a base.  

Also known collectively as amphiphiles. Molecules possessing distinct regions of hydrophobic (“water hating”) and hydrophilic (“water loving”) character within the same molecule. When dissolved in water above a certain concentration (known as the CMC), these molecules are capable of forming high molecular weight aggregates, or micelles.  

Molecules bearing both polar and nonpolar domains (within the same molecule). Some examples of amphipathic molecules are wetting agents (SDS), and membrane lipids such as lecithin.  

A metabolic pathway used in both catabolism and anabolism.  

An independent, nonprofit organization that was established in 1925 for the preservation and distribution of reference cultures. A nonprofit scientific organization dedicated to maintaining collections of microorganisms and other biological resources for use in academic, governmental, or industrial laboratories. The ATCC also provides educational and technical support about microbiology and biological resources.  

A society founded for the purpose of “providing a multi- and inter-disciplinary forum for those persons from academia, industry, and government who are interested in any and all aspects of biotechnology, and will achieve its aims by cooperation with existing organizations active in the field.” To join, write ASB, P.O. Box 2820, Sausalito, California, 94966-2820.…

A set of dispersed and related genetic sequences, each about 300 base pairs long, in the human genome. At both ends of these 300 bp segments there is an A-G-C-T sequence. Alu 1 is a restriction enzyme that recognizes this sequence and cleaves (cuts) it between the G (guanine) and the C (cytosine).  

Also written as a-interferon. One of the interferons, it has been shown to prolong life and reduce tumor size in patients suffering from Kaposi’s sarcoma (a cancer that affects approximately 10 percent of people with acquired immune deficiency syndrome). It is also effective against hairy-cell leukemia and may work against other cancers. It has recently…