/r/Biochemistry

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A place to post news and discuss the frontiers of biochemistry and biotechnology. Please refrain from posting home videos with songs and raps.

/r/Biochemistry

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0

The biological (/biochemical) mechanism of "emotion", feelings - how do we feel them neurologically?

Mechanical sensation is experienced through neural spikes, action potentials.

Mood related transmitter intervention modifies mood; certainly mood and emotion are connected.

Transmitters will effect ion gates and excitatory cellular function such to ultimately effect - action potentials, right?

So - would it be fair to say that, "feelings", be they external/mechanical, or emotional based feelings - are ultimately all mediated through the nervous system?

i.e. everything we feel = mediated in neural spikes:

These

Conventionally when we think of "emotion", it seems we're referring to some ethereal undefined inner biological activity.

But ultimately, it's just action potentials firing?

3 Comments
2023/09/24
20:37 UTC

4

[ POLL ] Do you have access to do work with a Supercomputer?

Greeting folks...

No surprise that Biochemistry work takes a lot of paperwork and study, but one of most asked questions is: - Do you think that at work, do you have the "PC technology or Supercomputer" that you need to do your job flow efficiently and keep up to date?

Thanks in advance for your feedback. :)

View Poll

7 Comments
2023/09/23
18:02 UTC

2

Question about graph axes?

I have an assignment where I measured the absorbance of a substance at various pHs to calculate the pKa. The lab report asks for a graph of pH vs absorbance. I thought that when a graph is described in the form of something vs something else that this meant y vs x. However when I googled pH vs absorbance graph to make sure, all the graphs had pH on the x and absorbance on the y. What would be the correct labelling for the axes?

5 Comments
2023/09/23
13:52 UTC

2

Sep 23: Cool Papers

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!

0 Comments
2023/09/23
00:02 UTC

1

Neurobiology book suggestion

An undergrad biochemistry student here. Looking for suggestions on the best neurobiology book to follow.

1 Comment
2023/09/22
18:54 UTC

3

Question on molecular dynamics

Hi, im trying to simulate a conformational change on a relatively large protein (500 aa) which involves the movement of a loop. I know there are two conformations and would like to simulate the conversion from one to the other, the problem is that the only structures available are of one of these conformations. Which approach would you suggest? I'm thinking of doing some replica exchange simulations to try and find some hints on the process, but any recommendations or bibliography on similar work would be much appreciated.

3 Comments
2023/09/22
13:53 UTC

1

Molecular Biology Of The Cell: 2nd edition vs latest edition

I want to brush up on my molecular biology knowledge and find the perfect book for that to be MBOTC. However, I have the 2nd edition as a physical copy, while I have the latest one in PDF. Obviously, I much prefer to read a physical copy rather than stare at a screen all day, so I was wondering if I would be missing out on much crucial info if I stick with the 2nd edition. In other words, can someone who has read both versions tell me if there is that huge of a difference between both editions? Is the 2nd edition outdated? Thank you in advance.

4 Comments
2023/09/22
08:45 UTC

2

What book do you recommend that is quite complete? I tried with Lehinger but imo it's uncessarily complicated

7 Comments
2023/09/22
05:31 UTC

3

Can mucolytic agents affect cervical mucus.

Would the mucus thinning action of mucolytics be enough to undo the mucus thickening mechanism of certain birth control?

Specifically asking about N-acetylcysteine.

2 Comments
2023/09/22
01:07 UTC

2

Help with Bioconjugation of cysteine group on an enzyme

Hello ,

I would like to use maleimide conjugation to target cysteine residues of an enzyme and at the same time I don't want to deactivate the enzyme activity (FAD) .

There are multiple cysteine residues on the enzyme.

One cysteine residue is in active site and covalently linked to FAD.

How to know which cysteine residue will most likely react with maleimide to form thioether bond ?

Thanks in advance

8 Comments
2023/09/21
19:08 UTC

7

Biochemistry vs Bioengineering

Was wondering if it is possible to pursue biochemistry research after getting a bachelors of bioengineering. And Vice Versa.

4 Comments
2023/09/21
13:00 UTC

0

Help

I am a high school student and I am opting for a Biochem major next year. I have completed a couple of internship in immunology, pharmacology and Ayurveda. I want to connect with the researchers or professor or anyone here in this subreddit and maybe do something (like writing a paper, webinar, or any intellectual activity together).

2 Comments
2023/09/21
05:56 UTC

0

How can nicotine (ingested w/out smoking) help the human body?

All I’ve found is that maybe it creates a boost in testosterone. Does it? Is that a good thing? Does it do anything else?

What would be the harm in chewing nicotine gum occasionally?

9 Comments
2023/09/21
03:03 UTC

2

Question

How can we derive the pKa of a generic acid-base equilibrium in an aqueous environment?

I cannot understand how or what this question is asking, can someone help please?

6 Comments
2023/09/20
20:38 UTC

1

Why do we need to MS peptides twice during Tandem Mass Spectrometry?

After cell lysis, protein cleavage through chemical means, and running the peptides through liquid chromatography and electrospray ionization, wouldn't MS1 be enough to fragment the ion-peptide to its individual sequences, or is there something about MS that I don't know?

2 Comments
2023/09/20
19:27 UTC

0

Is there a future for organic synthesis and organic synthesis and biology approaches in the case of chemical biology and bioorganic chemistry in these sectors or is biochemistry a better option?

The sectors I am talking about are mainly pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, and environmental sciences, I sometimes hear that maybe I am better off going with biochemistry or molecular and cell biology since these sectors are either trying to be more environmentally friendly or using biopharmaceuticals or mostly favoring biological approaches instead of organic synthesis like biologically derived chemicals, in the case of agriculture i heard there is a push to use biopesticides and biostimulants instead of synthetic chemicals and I heard it’s generally more focused on biotechnology and biological methods, and for pharmaceuticals and biotechnology I keep hearing that it’s moving towards things like crispr cas9 and gene editing and in other areas of biotechnology I hear bioproduction and bioremediation is big, just wondering if it’s worth it to go with organic synthesis or an approach that combines organic synthesis with biology or if I am better off going with biochemistry, molecular and cellular biology, or even microbiology?.

1 Comment
2023/09/20
16:20 UTC

1

Sep 20: Education & Career Questions

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.

0 Comments
2023/09/20
15:01 UTC

2

How do COX-1 and COX-2 inhibition lead to different downstream effects (ASA vs acetaminophen)? Every Arachidonic pathway diagram I've found shows that COX enzymes-->PGH2, so why would inhibiting one/both cause different effects and adverse effects of ASA and acetaminophen?

2 Comments
2023/09/20
01:06 UTC

1

PCR for point mutation

Hello, I have been doing PCR for months now… and now that I finally see a band, the sanger sequencing is coming out without any mutations. Even for the DNA template that has mutations. Could my competent cells have an issue? Does anyone has ever faced this issue?

It’s driving me nuts!!

25 Comments
2023/09/19
22:55 UTC

8

is there a lot of calculus involved with physics, organic chemistry, and biochemistry courses?

currently struggling a bit with my online calculus 2 and general chemistry 2 classes so i’m just wondering 😭

17 Comments
2023/09/19
22:20 UTC

4

Difference between a BS in biochemistry vs BS in biology with concentration of cellular molecular and genetics ?? Wanting to go into plant biochemistry if you know which degree is best for that?

If you know which degree is best for that***

13 Comments
2023/09/19
18:35 UTC

0

Turning silk powder into silk?

Greetings, I'm sorry to bother you all, but I need some help for a project. I seek to synthesize silk from silk powder (powder full of the spider/silkworm silk proteins and amino acids). If I dissolve this powder into an aqueous solution, is there a way I can turn it into a line of silk? Thank you and have a good day!

5 Comments
2023/09/19
16:19 UTC

4

How to incorporate active learning in this field at university?

I think it's clear to most of us that students retain information better when they have the chance to apply the learned material. This is something that has been lacking in my Master course.

For comparison, in my BSc (chem), I had labs for 6h every week and at least 2 problem-based seminars. Nearly all modules had practice questions.

In biochem, this is quite the opposite. I finished my second semester and so far only had lectures and 3x 2-week internships. And I was wondering how a shift in active learning could look like, other than more labs.

In chemistry, the questions were mathematical or structure based, what is the product of reaction x or what do we have to do to produce y. In my current course, the focus is a lot heavier on biology and such questions don't really apply.

Thougts or experiences in this regard?

10 Comments
2023/09/19
15:32 UTC

3

What are some of the most visual and interesting practicals you have done?

Hi all,

Recently I have been working as a STEM Outreach intern for a university, and I have been tasked to find/research some interesting laboratory experiments. These are aimed at 16-18 year olds, but I am just really looking for ideas here.

So far I have proposed two practicals. 1) Removing Lactose from Milk using Immobilized Lactase, and 2) Extraction, Purification and Analysis of HRP (Enzyme kinetics, Bradford Standard Assay, Gel Electrophoresis).

Even if you don't have a specific practical, a name of an interesting compound/protein with an interesting background which I can research and develop a practical around would be great too!

Thanks for any help y'all can give me

4 Comments
2023/09/19
13:19 UTC

4

Careers in Pharmaceutical R&D?

Hello. I am a senior in High School trying to find out what I want to study in college/uni and later pursue as a career. After doing some research, I landed on the career of pharmaceutical R&D. From what I've found it's a good-paying and stable job and it includes lots of the subjects that I was interested in throughout High School (mainly chemistry and biology). However, I cannot find any clear requirements for working in the field online. Can anybody who works in the field/knows of the requirements weigh in on how it is working in the field and what specifically you need to study/do in higher education to achieve a job in it?

7 Comments
2023/09/19
07:57 UTC

3

freeze-thawing cell lysates from -20C for BCA protein assay

I am doing biological replicates (n1 n2 n3) of an assay and the final result will be displayed in a western blot. However, I need three weeks to finish all the replicates. Can I freeze the cell lysate (Triton X100 based with 1mM PMSF added) in -20C and thaw it after three weeks to perform the BCA protein assay altogether? Thanks.

6 Comments
2023/09/19
03:27 UTC

1

How pH affects the chymotrypsin mechanism

I'm preparing for my first biochem exam tomorrow and one thing the professor said to be prepared to answer is: how does pH affect the the chymotrypsin mechanism? I know that pH will change whether something is protonated or unprotonated and figured it would change the carboxylic or amino groups on the peptide and the His-57 imidazole ring, possibly the hydroxyl group too, but could someone please example to me in detail what would happen?

3 Comments
2023/09/18
22:34 UTC

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