I'm tired of academia.

I obviously don't make much as a grad student, and having recently gotten married I want to provide more for my family. My wife and I are tired of counting every dollar, and all of our recently graduated friends are always on trips and doing fun stuff. My grandparents are all pretty close to passing and we can't afford to travel to make the most of their last years. Not to mention, we'd like to have children before we're 30 and that's not looking great in this economy if I have another 4 years of making less than a McDonald's employee. All in all, life is too short to spend in grad school.

Where can I make enough money to have a reasonable quality of life? My bachelor's is in biochemistry, and I was involved in undergrad research in mass spectrometry there, which I've continued into graduate school. I'm a first-year in a chemistry PhD now, so I'm not far enough in to master out – just have to chalk it up as a life lesson.

Would love any advice from those who've walked this path before. Thanks!

Bit puzzled here. Was told to provide a vitamin C free pee sample. Take no supplements at all. 1.5 apples per day and a small handful of raisins, and whatever veg I cook with. Oh, and 4-5 cups of lemon-flavoured green tea! Ok, no lemon-y tea for 5 days now and there's still the highest detectable amount of vitamin C on dip sticks and urine pH at 5 (lowest detectable). diet coke? carbonated of course, and phosphoric acid, but no vitamin c mentioned on label. 1-2 glasses per day. I'd also think that vitamin C is not stable if piping hot (tea, cooking), thus two questions:

a) how long does vitamin C stay in the body and is excreted via urine?

b) are there other acidic substances that might influence the vitamin c indicator of a dipstick? I tried finding answers, but found none.

I saw someone post here about their interest in chemical physics as an undergraduate biochemistry major. I am also a biochemistry undergraduate student, and I was curious if an undergraduate in biochemistry could go into a Ph.D. program in chemical physics or in programs similar to it rather than just biochemistry or chemistry.

I like biochem, though, so I may just stick with it. I was just curious. -- I suck at responding back quickly, but thanks to whoever responds. Have a good day.

Dear Reddit,

I am currently doing the pepsin assay part from the INFOGEST in-vitro digestion protocol. I have followed the protocol as per written, and used a quartz cuvette for the absorbance measurement via a spectrometer. However, I am unable to get a decent peak at 280nm for all the different concentration levels prepared. May I know if there is any way to troubleshoot this? Thank you in advance.

Writing a paper?

Re-running an experiment for the 18th time hoping you finally get results?

Analyzing some really cool data?

Start off your week by sharing your plans with the rest of us. å

I'm a student currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in biochemistry. I want to expand my resume with hands on experience in order to be able to compete for a good job after I graduate. What internship opportunities should I be looking into?

Hello all, I'm biochemistry major, expected to graduate in May 2024. I'm currently struggling to find a job, only having received a couple interview offers from mid-sized biotech companies.

My only final round interview was for a research associate position offering 58-70k/year; I was given interview feedback that "If I had more research experience or a master's program, they would've hired me on the spot." I'm kinda burned out from academia currently; however, and I'd like to develop my research experience in industry.

Any tips on breaking into the industry?

Note: I initially pursued an undergraduate MD program abroad (not in the USA) but decided that medicine was not for me. Ideally I would like to pursue a career in biotech/pharma research for two years – while simulataneously pursuing an online postbac/masters CS/data science degree; after which, I aim to get my PhD.

https://preview.redd.it/16h8saucp3pc1.png?width=1048&format=png&auto=webp&s=a28588cb3b9e897754fe7631c81d58d72bbacdad

The _____ chain of preo-proinsulin is the leader peptide

A)D

B)E

C)A

D)B

E)C

I said it was B since its the signal peptide which si the elader but he's saying its D??

Hello, I am currently in my first semester pursuing my BSc in Molecular Medicine and I am interested studying in Japan for 1-2 Semesters.

I wanted to ask if someone has studied there or now and could share some experiences and recommendations of Universities.

I recently got accepted into a biochemistry masters program, but I fear that I am missing the biology part of biochemistry to be able to understand the concepts of biochem fluently. The professor who interviewed me recommended Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry to read but I struggle at what concepts are actually important and what it looks like in the bigger picture. I’m currently at chapter 7 nucleic acids, I understanding binding and other stuff from chemistry but I lack the biology knowledge to look at it from a big picture. Can you guys please recommend me some tips to go forward? I will be taking the course in August.

I am currently pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry, but I realized that my interests are more aligned with Chemical Physics. Should I switch my major to a B.S. in Chemistry, or stick to Biochemistry, and pursue Chemical Physics at graduate school. My biggest fear as being seen as less like candidate compared to other students applying with a B.S. in Chemistry or a B.S. in Physics.

Also, on a side note, how did you guys realize you were interested in Biochemistry. I think I realized I do not have much of a desire for proteins, lipids, etc,. But I like the jobs that are provided to Biochemistry majors more. — However, I love the focus of Chemical Physics on a deeper level. What it focuses on is what questions I believe have helped me understand the work that I do in research. I don’t just want to be able to a series of processes, but understand on an atomic level what is happening. — My college does not offer anything for Chemical Physics so I either focus on Chemistry or Biochemistry until after I graduate.

Hi, I need lectures on biochemistry. Can anyone help me? I'd appreciate it greatly; I really need them.

I’m trying to work out how much ammonium sulphate I need to precipitate the proteins however I don’t understand the saturation part. I need the start saturation of ammonium sulphate and the end saturation of ammonium sulphate. What is the best start and end saturation at 20 degrees Celsius? I’m also curious if I could still pellet the proteins if I use a proteolytic enzyme like bromelain instead of salting out. Would that be easier? Edit: I’m trying to extract pure DNA from strawberries. I need to pellet the proteins before adding alcohol to precipitate the DNA

I'm an undergrad biochem major who is currently working in a biotech lab for 8-10 hours per week. Although I'm gaining experience in using important techniques, I wouldn't say it encompasses all the necessary lab skills needed to work in industry. I'm thinking to volunteer for about 3-5 hours in another lab that's using different techniques--particularly those I'm looking for experience with. Would this be a good idea, or would I be screwing myself over being in two labs at once? I don't know whether just 3-5 hours of volunteering is a half-effort commitment or if its both useful to me and the grad students working there.

Have you read a cool paper recently that you want to discuss?

Do you have a paper that's been in your in your "to read" pile that you think other people might be interested in?

Have you recently published something you want to brag on?

Share them here and get the discussion started!

Is there a way to remember when NAD or NADP will be used as coenzymes in pathways?

For example, during TCA NAD is the one to accept eletrons, but during the pentose-monophospate pathway it’s NADP.

Obviously it’s easy when it’s just these two, but we have to memorize all pathways and I can’t seem to find the logic which would help me decide whether it’s NAD or NADP.

Thank you.

Please take all of this with a grain of salt, I'm an aspiring biochemist and started recently so I'm not too good at it, I just wanted to see if anybody more well versed than me could take a look at this.
I don't have any chemistry equipment myself, but this just really intrigued me, even if someone just told me that this isn't possible, I just want some closure on this.

Miraculin is really cool, the chemical inside the miracle berry, basically from what I know it binds to your tongue and affects how you percieve sweet and sour cause of acidity and the PH level and all that, but I was discussing an idea with Chatgpt 4.0 (just cause of its access to quickly scraping down lots of information from the web, alot easier than googling each thing individually, I still did look at many other sources however)
Basically the idea was to see if there was any hypothetical possibility of some sort of inhibitor, simmilar to Ayahausca, (a tea made of two plants, one of which containing DMT a psychedelic compound, and one of which compaining another compound which prevents your body from breaking down DMT, allowing it to be much more potent, to stay for longer, and for it to be consumable via drinking it) the idea was to have another chemical along with miraculin, from everything I've seen, the easiest way to do it would be to allow the chemical to bind with your tongue tighter. That's the extent of what I know, it was just an intriuging concept and I was quite interested, would be nice if someone with more chemistry knowledge shed some light on this, cause I don't think there's anything about a concept like this researched before, could be wrong though.

I have just moved from a business development role in peptide chemistry to tool antibodies.

Are there any good resources to give a comprehensive view of the current antibody landscape i.e. recap of basic immunology, current research and development, therapeutic usage etc.

Guys do you have any tips or methods studying biochem? Cause recently i had an exam in which i failed... But i knew everything the professor had in his script. I just didn't know what to do with his tasks...

So how where you studying for your biochem exams. How did you master do remember all enzyms and every molecule of the cycles and reaction.

Does somebody know a good website to learn or a good ebook?

Edit: I guess my questions was a bit too unspecific lmao sorry. So we did all the cycle like ureacycle and glycolysis gluconeogenesis etc. but his question where extremely about application and ideas. "What would happen if that enzyme is missing in this cycle..."

I mean i understood the reactions and everything but questions like this where way too much for me.

Can’t find any info on optical path of corneal confocal microscopy😭

The other day, I was speaking to my friend and we ended up arguing about ribosomal specificity. On one hand, I initially thought them to be absolute in specificity (they can only catalyze the synthesis of proteins utilizing amino acids, so they can only recognize one class of molecules), but on the other hand, amino acyl transfer rna molecules are recognized by the A site of the S60 subunit by the bonding between the anticodon and the codon. To add there’s also the termination factors that are not the same as the transfer rnas and yet are capable of being in the APE active sites because of their bonding with the stop codon. Therefore now I’m thinking that it’s a bond specificity

This is supported by the fact that proteins are polymers and every amino acid is different so I’m not sure if it has absolute specificity at this point or not. However the condensation reaction between the amino acids can only be done between them so it’s quite confusing

If anyone can help us figure out this conundrum it would be quite appreciated 🙏

Hello everyone I’m a current 2nd year undergraduate pursuing a B.S. in Biochemistry. I recently found out that I won’t be able to hit my “full-time” student units for next 4 semesters. As in my credits will only be around 7-9 units a semester while full time is 12 units minimum. So now I won’t be able to get FAFSA support b/c if this. So I’m just wondering would it be better me to try and graduate a year early and pack all my classes in 2 semesters. Or enroll in a minor program similar to my major/ career goal?

If I graduate early cons: I’ll have little to no research/ laboratory experience (~1 yr). I’ll be going into the industry blind. Heavy work load for a year.

Minor program cons: May extend my graduation year. And no idea what minor would be beneficial for me.

Hi all! I am currently a second-semester biochemistry/biophysics senior and I am STRUGGLING to find gainful employment. I am searching for a role in R&D or something similar. It seems like every company has 40+ openings for senior/director roles, but only has 1-2 roles that a recent grad MAY qualify for. Anyone know why this is the case? I also attached my current resume and am looking for any tips that may help land a research role(all my personal info is at the top of the doc). Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I am currently studying Biochemistry at Cal Poly Slo and am highly interested in pursuing a career in the consulting industry. I was planning on getting a graduate degree shortly after finishing in order to further my qualifications. I was wondering if anyone has advice on any companies that offer internships related to health care consulting or if my focus should be primarily on entering a strong master's program instead.

Thanks

im studying for my ovhem exam rn and im in the topic of protein analysis. i've learned that while forming peptide bonds alpha carboxyl and alpha amide bonds are involved, but what happens ehen the structure has more than one carboxyl group or amine group? Like Glutamic acid Lysine or Asperagine?

Trying to decide what classes to take?

Want to know what the job outlook is with a biochemistry degree?

Trying to figure out where to go for graduate school, or where to get started?

Ask those questions here.

Hi everyone, i have a bachelors degree in biochemistry and now im in the first year of an biotechnology masters.

Problem is: its so boring. Food biotech, environment biotech, biorreators... I really hate this.

I always liked do study biochemistry related to health but now im in a complete different field and i dont like this.

With this being said my questions are:

1. With a biotech masters, what can you do involving health?
2. How much is the difference in salary between industry and acadamia?