Human Genetics shows the migration pattern of human species

Hi,

Using DNA from thousands of people from all around the world, Dr Spencer explains how our ancestors migrated around the world starting 60 thousand years ago.



Cheers

Molecular Genetics, cell divisions, ecology, selection

Hi Students,

Below are a few links I found very useful in understanding concepts in Molecular Biology and genetics. Difficult concepts in cell division are also dealt with.

Ecology, bioaccumulation and bio-magnification are also dealt with in the powerpoints slideshows listed below.

(1) http://www.slideshare.net/msthomas79/genetics-3177596?from=share_email

(2) http://www.slideshare.net/orodina/nucleic-acids?from=share_email

(3) http://www.slideshare.net/chalkie28/gcse-inheritance-and-selection?from=share_email

(4) http://www.slideshare.net/boo5000/unit-1-ecology-powerpoint-goal-5?from=share_email

(5) http://www.slideshare.net/MrJewett/biomagnification-bioaccumulation2?from=share_email

(6) http://www.slideshare.net/walajtys/biology-chapter-13-genetic-engineering?from=share_email

(7) http://www.slideshare.net/maxedmond/dna-strucutre-and-replication?from=share_email

(8) http://www.slideshare.net/msthomas79/genetic-engineering-3177598?from=share_email

I will go through these slideshows in class. You may want to browse through them for better understanding.

Cheers

Synthia, the world's first man created organism

Hi,

20th May 2010 was a memorable day for mankind. It was the day when a scientist by the name of Dr Craig Venter and his team created the world's first man-made organism. The bacterium is affectionately named Synthia.

It cost the scientists US$40 million dollars and 15 years to make this synthetic cell. Dr Venter is a visionary who hopes to create many more such synthetic organisms to help mankind in:
(1) change environmental wastes into clean fuel
(2) Soak up pollution in soil and water
(3) vaccinate against diseases
(4) produce synthetic hormones, enzymes and other biological molecules

At the present, these processes and biological molecules are obtained from animals and plants. They are expensive to grow and harvest. The molecules are also not 100% human compatible. With engineered organisms human enzymes, human hormones and other organic processes and molecules can be obtained on the cheap!

A Biologist's Mother's Day Song

Hi,

Here is something you should send to your mother in appreciation of all that she had given you.
It is a belated mother's day gift.



Much to my surprise, some people have requested the mp3--now you can get it here:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/cadamole (it's the first song)

Lyrics:
To make one me you just add
Half of mom and half of dad
That is what I once believed
But I know now that I was wrong
I got so much more from you mom
Than just half a set of genes
I got nutrients and transcription factors
and nearly everything that matters
plus my prenatal environment (transplacental inheritance)
mRNA, mitochondria,
That back in the day once belonged to ya (they're cytoplasmic)
and I just want to thank for supplying them

Just like two strands of DNA are spirally entwined
Your nature and your nurture are inspiringly combined
Scientists remind me and I find that it is true
Slightly more than half of everything I am is thanks to you

Mitochondria power my cells
and they have DNA as well
Transcription factors modulate transcription
And since they're in the cytoplasm
The eggs the only one that has em
and sperm I guess they don't have much ambition

My sex determination gene means that I'm a guy
From you I got my X chromosome, from Dad I got my Y
X has over a thousand genes, Y has less than 92
That's why more than half of everything I am is thanks to you

I roomed in your womb for nine whole months and never paid the rent
Your glucocorticoids shaped my hypothalmic development
I took in your blood and sucked it dry of every nutrient (its gross but true)
Sometimes I wonder where the time went (where did it go)
Sometimes I wonder where it went

I know Ill never understand all you have done for me (I'm not that smart)
But since you paid for college Ill get my B. S. degree (bachelor of science)
And I have learned its not BS but absolutely true
Slightly more than half of everything I am is thanks to you.

Cheers

DNA and protein synthesis animations

Hi,

This post is on animations of how ribosomes are sites where amino acids are assembled to produce protein molecules in cells.The structure of DNA and the nitrogenous base pairs are also mentioned.


How the DNA works can be seen by clicking on this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmDG_fKUTR8



DNA to protein, how the DNA is transcribed to form the mRNA and used to make protein molecules in the cytoplasm. The site of production being the ribosomes.




This simple yet clear video explains transcription, formation of mRNA, nuclear membrane pores, ribosomes the molecular factory, translation, tRNA and protein assembly. the long chain of amino acids or protein being folded to form the 3D structure before it is ready for its use in the body.




Cheers