Self-destructing bacteria improve renewable biofuel production

TEMPE, Ariz.- An Arizona State University research team has developed a process that removes a key obstacle to producing lower-cost, renewable biofuels. The team has programmed a photosynthetic microbe to self-destruct, making the recovery of high-energy fats--and their biofuel byproducts--easier and potentially less costly.

read more at biodesign

My week so far...

It's of no surprise to me that I am not an inch closer to obtaining my green card.

Other than that, school is slowly progressing and I am awaiting the end of this semester.

On the internship front, one company has been somewhat messing me around, having offered me a position and subsequently not followed through. I had another interview with a different company today which seemed promising...but then they always do; I am not setting myself up for disappointment again.

This week I also attended a tour of the Biodesign Institute, which due to obvious security restrictions wasn't as informative as I had hoped although I was exposed to some of the major research happening there.

In a non-school related topic, this week i have been reading up on microRNA and its therapeutic applications






If there are any PI's out there that happen to be reading this and are looking for a motivated research associate/intern, you can obtain a copy of my resume here.

Hope you all have a pleasant thanksgiving weekend.

AZBio Launches AZBioLink to Stimulate Arizona’s Bioscience Industry

AZBio has launched its novel AZBioLink program, designed to stimulate Arizona’s bioscience industry by connecting buyers and sellers of bio-related goods and services. The program is open to every establishment in the Arizona bioscience supply chain. For additional information and to participate, please follow this link... http://bit.ly/AZBioLinkSurvey

Still Sick...

I have just completed the course of antibiotics prescribed to me. I don't feel feverish any longer, however My chest does still ache.

This is where I want to be:

with DJs Bear, Snapdragon & XIII
827 S. Rural Rd, Tempe, AZ
Southeast corner of Rural & University

In reality, I will be at home reading the latest issue of Nature Methods.

At least I will get some rest, before tomorrow's exams and, more importantly, Modern Warfare 2.

TGen Education and Outreach - Life: It’s Variations of A Theme

1000 Genomes Project provides an in-depth look across multiple genomes

A new international effort – the 1000 Genomes Project – aims to sequence, or spell out, the complete genomes of more than 1,000 individuals, establishing by far the most detailed catalogue of human genetic variation as a tool for medical research.

Full Story: TGen Education and Outreach - Life: It’s Variations of A Theme

TGen seeks emergency FDA approval of new swine flu test

[Source: TGen] - The Phoenix-based non-profit Translational Genomics Research Institute (TGen) announced today that, along with a business collaborator, it will submit a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for emergency use of a new test to diagnose the 2009 H1N1 swine flu virus.

Details about TGen’s test will be presented Sunday (Nov. 1) at the 47th annual meeting of the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), being held today through Sunday (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) in Philadelphia.

The new test, developed at TGen’s Pathogen Genomics Division (TGen North) in Flagstaff, can not only detect influenza — as some tests do now — but also can quickly inform doctors about what strain of flu it is and whether or not it may be resistant to oseltamivir (sold under the brand name Tamiflu®; Roche), the primary anti-viral drug on the market to treat H1N1.

For more information: TGen seeks emergency FDA approval of new swine flu test

to vaccinate or not to vaccinate....

this question has me somewhat perplexed. The H1N1 vaccine has been made available and I now have the opportunity to take it if I so desire.

But do I really need it? I don't even remember the last time I had any strain of influenza. And then there is the question of whether or not the vaccine is safe.

Follow this link to the CDC H1N1 vaccination recommendations

There are others who doubt the safety of the Vaccine

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c
Doubt Break '09
www.thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Political Humor Health Care Crisis

Then there is the somewhat tragic tale of the girl disabled as a supposed result of the vaccination



I leave you tonight with this message from Dr. John D. Clarke, MD, FAAFP


So should I, or should I not get vaccinated???
Some feedback would be appreciated

Undergraduate Research @ MCC

Mesa Community College is now offering several Undergraduate research opportunities.
For students, this is a great way to contribute to the body of academic knowledge as you participate in original research; develop your inquiry and presentation skills and prepare yourself to transfer to a university research program of study.
Thats just an opinion by the way. Click on the banner for more information

The Varkud satellite Ribozyme

Today I attended a ASU Biochemistry Department's seminar series. The talk was entitled "How do Ribozymes work?" and presented by Professor David M.J. Lilley, University of Dundee. Lilley discussed the basics of ribozymes in regards to their defficient catalytic properties and the possibility of Ribozymes as a early life precursor molecule. Lilley et al are interested in the structure of DNA junctions important in recombination and repair, and their interactions with proteins and branched structures in RNA molecules, especially those playing a role in the folding of catalytic RNA molecules, or ribozymes. His latest works has been in determinig the structure and function of the the Varkud satellite (VS) ribozyme.

To be honest, a lot of the biochemistry and techniques involved went slightly over my head. however, it was an interesting topic and definately opened my eyes to the chicken and question.

For more information on Lilley's work and ribozymes in general you can visit Lilley's website here