Is the Grand Unified Theory really elusive? No, I don't mean combining General Relativity with Quantum Mechanics. I mean some theory which thousand times more subtle and has equal importance as the grand unified theory of physics which would explain eve...
All posts in Biology
The Origin of Life — Metabolism first or Genes first?
The evolutionary equivalent of chicken-and-egg problem is the origin of life. The question of how did life came into being is a great(est) topic for debate and research today. There are essentialy two hypothesises regarding this: first one ( "RNA world...
Things I have learnt at IISc
Here, I will be listing the techniques I am learning at IISc, Bangalore
Wet Techniques ------------------ 1. Lysate Preparation 2. Transduction 3. Plating and Streaking 4. PCR 5. Inoculation 6. DNA Gel Electrophoresis 7. Be...
Nanobacteria or self-replicating calcium crystals?
A few researchers have discovered a new form of life (as the claim!). These are the particles which are about 100 times smaller than a normal bacterium. These supposedly self-replicate and infect mamallian cells. The researchers have also found that the ...
Virtual (Molecular) Biology Experiments
Here at IISc, I have realised that the molecular biology experiments (with E. coli) take a lot of time to occur. You prepare a strain, incubate it, run gels, etc. All of these things take time, and I am talking of a lot of time.
How nice would it ...
Bgl operon aka Cryptic Genes
I have started working on Bgl operon in [i]E. coli[/i] at IISc, Bangalore. It is a type of cryptic genes, which means that there is no reason for a cell to maintain those genes in its genome. Bgl operon is normally in inactive state due to an indirect re...
Reached IISc
I have reached IISc. I will be working in Prof. Mahadevan's lab in Molecular Reproduction, Development and Genetics. The lab is nice with many equipment. I will probably be working on bgl operon in bacteria (cryptic genes).
The work seems to be i...
Going to IISc, Bangalore tommorrow
I will be going to Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore tommorrow for two months of summer research. This will be my first full-blown research experience. I am too excited about this. I guess this will decide my long-term future. ...
DNA as dinner
Hmmm... It has been found that apart from carrying genetic information, DNA can also serve as a nurition source for bacteria. Few strains of E. coli can even derive whole of their energy from DNA taken in by surroundings. It has been proposed that this m...
Jeev – June, 2006 Issue Launched
Hi All,
This is to announce that Jeev June, 2006 edition has been launched. To read the issue, click to [URL]http://www.dce.edu/jeev/issues/june06/index.php[/URL].
For those of you who don't know what Jeev is, it is an online life sciences...