sciencenote: Embryonic Rat Thoracic Aorta Medial Layer Myoblast Cells (A-10 Line) A culture of adherent A-10 rat thoracic aorta cells was fluorescently triple-labeled with MitoTracker Red CMXRos, Alexa Fluor 350 conjugated to phalloidin, and SYTOX Green, targeting the mitochondria, filamentous actin network, and nuclei, respectively. In this image, the bright red mitochondrial network is superimposed on a deep blue actin cytoskeletal framework centered around the green nuclei.

sciencenote:

Embryonic Rat Thoracic Aorta Medial Layer Myoblast Cells (A-10 Line)

A culture of adherent A-10 rat thoracic aorta cells was fluorescently triple-labeled with MitoTracker Red CMXRos, Alexa Fluor 350 conjugated to phalloidin, and SYTOX Green, targeting the mitochondria, filamentous actin network, and nuclei, respectively.

In this image, the bright red mitochondrial network is superimposed on a deep blue actin cytoskeletal framework centered around the green nuclei.

dnamylove:

Detailed explanation of mRNA Translation

All mRNAs are read in the 5´ to 3´ direction, and polypeptide chains are synthesized from the amino to the carboxy terminus. Each amino acid is specified by three bases (a codon) in the mRNA, according to a nearly universal genetic code. The basic mechanics of protein synthesis are also the same in all cells: Translation is carried out on ribosomes, with tRNAs serving as adaptors between the mRNA template and the amino acids being incorporated into protein. Protein synthesis thus involves interactions between three types of RNA molecules (mRNA templates, tRNAs, and rRNAs), as well as various proteins that are required for translation

Transcription and translation are seriously the coolest things EVER.

(Source: dnatube.com, via sciencenote)

infinity-imagined:

   DNA Double Helix stores genetic information.     DNA Polymerase replicates DNA.

   RNA Polymerase synthesizes RNA from DNA.   Ribosomes use RNA to build proteins

These four biological molecules are essential to all life on Earth.

They originated more than 3 Billion years ago during the Proterozoic Era, in a common ancestor of Bacteria, Archaea, and Eukaryota.  Together these molecules form the fundamental pattern of the fractal of life; they are specialized machines that replicate each other and produce an endless variety of new forms.  They have evolved over trillions of generations into extraordinarily complex arrangements that consume energy, organize, and reproduce.

sciencenote: Topo Inhibitors By Margaret Oechsli, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare, Kentucky During replication, DNA becomes “overwound” ahead of the replication fork. The topological tension must be relieved for DNA replication to succeed. This is the job of topoisomerases. The enzyme binds to “tense” DNA and cleaves the phosphate backbone; the DNA unwinds and, then topoisomerase reseals the break. The compound mitoxantrone inhibits Type II topoisomerases. It is used to treat metastatic breast cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The combination of mitoxantrone and prednisone is approved as a second-line treatment for metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer, too. Image: Crystallized mitoxantrone visualized under polarized light. A few drops of the drug are placed on a microscope slide and dry in the presence of a dye, such as Bromophenol Blue. The crystals are then imaged with a Nikon Labophot 2 microscope, magnification 25X to 100X. Polarized light creates the colors. Learn more about Dr. Oechsli’s artwork.

sciencenote:

Topo Inhibitors

By Margaret Oechsli, Jewish Hospital & St. Mary’s HealthCare, Kentucky

During replication, DNA becomes “overwound” ahead of the replication fork. The topological tension must be relieved for DNA replication to succeed. This is the job of topoisomerases. The enzyme binds to “tense” DNA and cleaves the phosphate backbone; the DNA unwinds and, then topoisomerase reseals the break.

The compound mitoxantrone inhibits Type II topoisomerases. It is used to treat metastatic breast cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. The combination of mitoxantrone and prednisone is approved as a second-line treatment for metastatic hormone-refractory prostate cancer, too.

Image: Crystallized mitoxantrone visualized under polarized light. A few drops of the drug are placed on a microscope slide and dry in the presence of a dye, such as Bromophenol Blue. The crystals are then imaged with a Nikon Labophot 2 microscope, magnification 25X to 100X. Polarized light creates the colors. Learn more about Dr. Oechsli’s artwork.

discoverynews: Wow, this is just too cool. A material, made from artificial DNA, that “remembers” its shape after being dehydrated? Sounds like the beginnings of some kind of awesome shape-shifting, amorphous robot to me! Sorta: Mysterious Material Remembers Its Shape: “The new stuff is a metamaterial, scientists’ word for a lab-made material that has properties uncommon in nature. Even among metamaterials, however, this material is unusual — it’s composed of artificial DNA, while most metamaterials are composed of nonbiological chemicals such as silicon or copper. Its creators are calling it a “meta-hydrogel.” Posting about this again because it is awesome.

discoverynews:

Wow, this is just too cool. A material, made from artificial DNA, that “remembers” its shape after being dehydrated? Sounds like the beginnings of some kind of awesome shape-shifting, amorphous robot to me! Sorta:

Mysterious Material Remembers Its Shape: “The new stuff is a metamaterial, scientists’ word for a lab-made material that has properties uncommon in nature. Even among metamaterials, however, this material is unusual — it’s composed of artificial DNA, while most metamaterials are composed of nonbiological chemicals such as silicon or copper. Its creators are calling it a “meta-hydrogel.”

Posting about this again because it is awesome.

earth-song:

Glass frog (or Glassfrogs) is the common name for the frogs of the amphibian family Centrolenidae (order Anura). While the general background coloration of most glass frogs is primarily lime green, the abdominal skin of some members of this family is translucent. The internal viscera, including the heart, liver, and gastrointestinal tract are visible through this translucent skin, hence the common name.

(Read more)

(via freshphotons)

edwardspoonhands:

jtotheizzoe:

infinity-imagined:

The DNA Replication Complex, an assembly of proteins that synthesizes new DNA before cell division.  It consists of Helicase, Primase, Single-strand binding proteins, and DNA polymerase III.  Because DNA strands can only be copied in one direction, the complex must pull out loops of one strand and replicate it in fragments.  At this moment there are hundreds of trillions of these molecular machines in constant activity within your body.

be sure to check out Drew Berry’s full DNA animation here, it will rock your genetic socks off. He also gave a fine TED talk about how he animates the unseeable world of biology.

In humans, this process is happening at the staggering speed of 3,000 DNA bases per minute. And in bacteria? Would you believe 30,000 bases per minute?!? That’s 500 nucleotides per second!!!

YEAH  YOU DNA REPLICATION COMPLEX! YOU GO! YOU DO YOUR THANG! NOBODY CAN (or wants to) STOP YOU!

THIS IS THE COOLEST ANIMATION OF DNA REPLICATION EVER BIOLOGY IS THE COOLEST THING WHY DID I EVER STOP DOING BIOCHEM WHATTTTT WHYYYYYY

infinity-imagined:

Time lapse of epithelial cells undergoing mitosis.

(via cracked)

jtotheizzoe: Ultrasound Video Captures Fetuses Yawning … Why Do They Do It? Yawning is a behavior that everyone is aware of, and we all take part in it, yet no one knows the precise reason why we do it. There’s a ton of theories: A need to rapidly get oxygen into the blood, a way to remain alert for possible danger, imbalances in neurotransmitter levels, and even regulating brain temperature. None of them have been completely proven right or wrong. The social aspect of yawning is much better understood. It is likely a way for social animals to synchronize their mood and sleep schedules, as well as communicate empathy. Of course, a fetus can’t communicate with anyone (except via kicking), so why would they need to yawn? New research (check out the paper in PLOS One) suggests that it could be part of brain maturation. As the fetal brain develops, the neural cycles that will later become sleep and wakefulness are kicking in. It could even be as simple as a way to exercise the jaw movements that will later be necessary in nursing and crying. Whatever the reason, we now have visual proof of certifiable yawns kicking in long before birth, and it’s kind of freaky looking. More research (in adults, children and prenatal infants) will be needed to get at the “why”. By the way, if you yawned while reading this, you aren’t alone. About 60% of people reading or thinking about yawning will yawn. (GIF adapted from video by Wolfgang Moroder)

jtotheizzoe:

Ultrasound Video Captures Fetuses Yawning … Why Do They Do It?

Yawning is a behavior that everyone is aware of, and we all take part in it, yet no one knows the precise reason why we do it. There’s a ton of theories: A need to rapidly get oxygen into the blood, a way to remain alert for possible danger, imbalances in neurotransmitter levels, and even regulating brain temperature. None of them have been completely proven right or wrong.

The social aspect of yawning is much better understood. It is likely a way for social animals to synchronize their mood and sleep schedules, as well as communicate empathy. Of course, a fetus can’t communicate with anyone (except via kicking), so why would they need to yawn?

New research (check out the paper in PLOS One) suggests that it could be part of brain maturation. As the fetal brain develops, the neural cycles that will later become sleep and wakefulness are kicking in. It could even be as simple as a way to exercise the jaw movements that will later be necessary in nursing and crying. Whatever the reason, we now have visual proof of certifiable yawns kicking in long before birth, and it’s kind of freaky looking. More research (in adults, children and prenatal infants) will be needed to get at the “why”.

By the way, if you yawned while reading this, you aren’t alone. About 60% of people reading or thinking about yawning will yawn.

(GIF adapted from video by Wolfgang Moroder)

jtotheizzoe: Clearly, I Can See You’ve Got Guts Meet the glassfrog, a strange South American amphibian with a nearly transparent underbelly. The evolutionary significance of the clear abdomen is unknown, as light can be harmful to organ tissues (although the frogs get around that with a cool adaptation).  Robert Gonzalez has an interview with a glassfrog researcher at io9 highlighting their odd biological adaptations. I suppose the clear belly could be a survival technique to avoid being cut open by high school biology students?

jtotheizzoe:

Clearly, I Can See You’ve Got Guts

Meet the glassfrog, a strange South American amphibian with a nearly transparent underbelly. The evolutionary significance of the clear abdomen is unknown, as light can be harmful to organ tissues (although the frogs get around that with a cool adaptation). 

Robert Gonzalez has an interview with a glassfrog researcher at io9 highlighting their odd biological adaptations. I suppose the clear belly could be a survival technique to avoid being cut open by high school biology students?

I think I'm friendly. You should say hi.

Some of my interests:

Myself
Science!
Space!
Music
Movies
Chemistry
Biology
Sci Fi
Ukulele
Hip Hop
Latin
Hayao Miyazaki

And some other stuff.