Hello Everyone on this Awesome Forum,

I hold a degree in biological sciences, majored in biochemistry, but also very well versed in botany and microbiology terminologies. In addition, I do have a postgraduate diploma in English applied linguistics and I am very interested in science writing. Recently, I have earned a Statement of Accomplishment (with distinction) from a highly prestigious American university after scoring 98% in a course on writing in sciences. Furthermore, I practiced medical coding in the pharmacy of a large governmental hospital for about six months, but, honestly, that was quite a long time ago.

I am seeking an opportunity to switch back to medical coding, but, this time, remotely and with an Indian company. Why Indian? Mainly because I admire how Indian companies have made their way up the ladder of that business, and also because I am confident that I can impress them with the quality of the work that I can deliver, only with very little guidance or training.

Where is the problem? Great question! I am not Indian.

Do I have a chance? Should I keep looking? Or should I just save my time?

So many thanks for any advice or help.

Moderators, you're doing a great job! Keep up the great work.

Thanks

Dear sir,
  I am B.Tech final year student, please suggest book for bioinformatics

I am wondering if someone here with advanced knowledge of genetically engineering plants can think of a way the genetics from auto-flowering cannabis plants could be used to create faster crops and trees that when paired with reliable fusion powered light array facillitates a rapid increase in food production and enables seeding/planting of the Northern Hemisphere.  Specifically their ability to grow under 24 hours of light or anything in between.

As you know the light cycles differ with long periods of dark and long periods of light up North and with the permafrost potentially going away in places like Alaska we can assume that the soil will eventually support larger trees perhaps a hybrid genetically engineered cold tolerant Sequoia or other as of yet undetermined suitable species.

The sheer adaptability of these plants is amazing as I have grown the autoflowers myself and they regenerate incredibly well as well as having exceptional tolerance to light stress.

If anything the genes might prove useful for future planet colonization where light cycles are much different. Another tool in the tool box so to speak.

Also perfecting this might help in the event of a pole shift for a rapid reforestation with climate appropriate trees.
Perhaps you can also apply the same concept to a seaweed variety that can colonize colder regions of the ocean.

Thanks ahead of time for enlightening me on this question.

Hello everyone I am a student who is just wanting to learn a little about the subjects here and cant wait to start reading thanks guys for having such a fabulous site.

I am in 12th std and would like to do BE (Hons) in Biotechnolgy from BITS, Dubai. Would like to have your advise. Regards

So my question is-
will the plant be more resistant to particular antibiotics (say hygromycin) if it were to be transformed with multiple copies of hygromycin gene (hph)?
The copies of the hph gene might not be too near to each other to avert RNA interference.
Then, provided they were distantly integrated, if not, integrated in different chromosomes in the genome, does the plant with higher copies of the resistance gene confer higher resistance?

Please I am about to carry out a few enzyme assays. 

First I would like to know which are the most common enzymes carried out in organic media. 

Secondly, what is the best way to carry out a protein purification to remove the solvents and what is the acceptable maximum time to keep the protein at 4 degree before performing enzyme test? Or I wonder what is the common option in your lab, test before it loses activity at 4 degree or store the protein at -80 degree for long term use? 

Thanks

Hi.. i'm Asma , 

I'm amicrobiolgist .. i've lately started my master degree in micobiolology but i haven't signed in yet. in fact i've became very confused in choosing the matter of master study. you know, threre're a huge amount of topics and research submitted every day. and i hope to do my master in apartially new topic with  evolutionary applications, especially in new fields that connect microbiology with chemistry,medicine or even physics (there're really new resaerchs gathering both microbiology with the last field :D ).. So i can't make any progress yet because i still can't make that good choice ..

So, if you have any recommendations here for me ,and i'm sure you do.. i'll be very grateful ..

thanks

Hi.. i'm Asma , 

I'm amicrobiolgist .. i've lately started my master degree in micobiolology but i haven't signed in yet. in fact i've became very confused in choosing the matter of master study. you know, threre're a huge amount of topics and research submitted every day. and i hope to do my master in apartially new topic with  evolutionary applications, especially in new filds that connect microbiology with chemistry,medicine or even physics (there're really new resaerchs gathering both microbiology with the last field :D ).. So i can't make any progress yet because i still can't make that good choice ..

So, if you have any recommendations here for me ,and i'm sure you do.. i'll be very grateful ..

thanks

I'm trying to get some idea as to parameter specs for cell culture.  Thus far, people here have been very helpful, and I'm very appreciative.  As a working standard, I'm envisioning using a bioreactor of 30 cm in length, and less than 20 cm in width.  However, the I'm not certain of the specs yet.  Assuming that I'll be working with a reactor of this size, do you think that something like the "small single" hood in the link at the end of the post would be sufficiently large?  The internal Depth x Width x Height = 61 cm x 81 cm x 43 cm.  I understand that a hood must be larger than what is simply placed inside of it, as there must be sufficient air flow around that which is inside.  I've heard that 20 cm is a good rule of thumb to use regarding distances between objects, and away from the aperture of the hood.  Is this reasonable?

Regarding the specific hood listed below, there is no air-tight seal between the hood and the environment.  It occurs to me that this might not be a problem, since pressure will be greater within the hood than outside anyway.  What do you think?

Finally, does it really matter from where the air is drawn for the intake?  I.e., if the air is drawn from an area of low circulation, such as, for example, behind another instrument, would this matter?  The air will be filtered, so I'm guessing that it won't.  

Thanks.










Link:
http://www.terrauniversal.com/laminar-fl...ection.php

hi 
im kinda new to genetic engineering,



i was wondering if i have a gene that lets say for example creates a protein that crates sugar in a cell. if i was to put more of that gene in the DNA would it it create more protein that create sugar.
i think this is true

but lets say i have a gene witch i want to be expressed instead 1 time in a cell, to be expressed 10 times. how do i go about doing this.
do i need to sequence it so the sugar protein gene gets read more?
if so how?


thanks guys i appritiate your help

Let's say that a bioreactor has been filled with media and autoclaved.  At this point, if I wanted to open it (ideally through a port, rather than taking the entire top off) for several seconds under a hood, would I likely introduce too much bacteria/fungi into the culture to compromise its viability?  Or, would this likely be perfectly acceptable?  Thank you in advance.

If I treat a surface for cell adhesion with fibronectin, collagen, etc., can I autoclave it and expect it to function in allowing the attachment of mammalian cells?  Since denatured collagen is used to promote adhesion, it seems like it might be feasible, but I don't know.  If this is a less than optimal idea, does anyone know of any alternatives?  If anyone has any insight, I'd appreciate it.  I'll thank you in advance.

EPQ SURVEY
The purpose of this survey is to get an idea of public opinion on the genetic modification of human embryos. Thanks in advance for your participation. Your feedback is important to me.
1. What is your age?
Less than 18
18 to 24
25 to 34
35 to 44
45 to 54
55 to 64
65+
2. How much are you in favour of genetic modification of animals for research purposes?
Strongly in favour
In favour
Neutral
Oppose
Strongly oppose
3. How much are you in favour of genetic modification of human embryos for medical purposes?
Strongly in favour
In favour
Neutral
Oppose
Strongly oppose
4. Would you be willing to modify any of your children in this way?
Yes
No
5. Why?
[img=468x91]file:///C:/Users/09OPUS~1.DM_/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image001.png[/img]
 
 
 
6. Further comments?
[img=473x101]file:///C:/Users/09OPUS~1.DM_/AppData/Local/Temp/msohtmlclip1/01/clip_image002.png[/img] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

I have completed my Master's in Biotechnology from India.So i just wanted to know which are the best Universities for PhD in USA which I am eligible for and which provides good Scholarships

A microorganism grows in a continuous ‘chemostat’ culture of 60 m3 working volume with sucrose as the growth limiting nutrient at dilution rate, D = 0.55 h–1. The steady state biomass concentration is 4.5 kg dry biomass m–3 and the residual sucrose concentration in the incoming feed medium is 10.0 kg m–3.
What would be the sucrose concentration in the input feed for the output to be 45 Kg biomass h–1?

 3.225 Kg m–3

 4.425 Kg m–3

 5.115 Kg m–3

 6.525 Kg m–3

Can u plz help me out wid this numerical

I am doing BTech. Medical Biotechnology First Year right now. I want to know that what is the further scope for this course after Bachelors especially in India. And what should prepare after BTech, either for MTech or MBA or MS? And what all is required? What are the job offers after doing any of these course after BTeach in Medical Biotechnology and in which all fields it can be done? which option is best after BTech?
And I am more over intrested in GENETICS. So what can be good for me and should I put my step towards>

Thank You
Yours sincerely,
Sakshi Pandit

Hello I'm a biochemistry student and I have been set a essay on (paraphrased) "Role of recombinant proteins in the 21st century?" The essay needs to be balanced.

To me learning is the most important thing, so I do not want help with the essay it's self. But because genetics and related fields are not my strongest subject I would very much appreciate some advice on where to look for information and perhaps what areas I have overlooked that I should educate my self on so that I can strengthen my argument.

This is continuing on from Basics of immunology.

Immunology is the branch of biomedical sciences concerned with all aspects of the immune system in all multicellular organisms.

What is an antigen?

• An antigen is any substance that elicits an immune response and is then capable of binding to the subsequently produced antibodies.
  
• Antigens are generally proteins or polysaccharides, but other substances such as nucleic acids can also be antigens.
  

What is antibodies?

• An antibody is a protein used by the immune system to identify and neutralize foreign objects like bacteria and viruses. Each antibody recognizes a specific antigen unique to its target.
  
• Monoclonal antibodies (mAb) are antibodies that are identical because they were produced by one type of immune cell, all clones of a single parent cell.
  
• Polyclonal antibodies are antibodies that are derived from different cell lines.
  

What is an antibody?

• An immunoglobulin that is capable of combining with specificity to the antigen that elicited its production.
  

How, Why and Where are Antibodies Produced?

• Produced in Vertebrate Cells in response to a ‘non-self’ substance termed an antigen.
  
• The process begins with macrophages roaming the bloodstream. Macrophages engulf ‘non-self’ molecules and then display portions of the engulfed molecules on their outer plasma membranes.
  
• After many recognition steps B-cells are stimulated to produce specific antibodies.
  
• The antibodies then go off and bind to the foreign substance thereby marking the substance for destruction.
  

What is an Epitope?

• An epitope is the small site on the antigen which is recognized by the antibody.
  
• Usually between one and six sugars or amino acids on the surface of the antigen.
  

Antibody Uniqueness:

• B-cells produce somewhere between 1 x 108 and 1 x 1010 IgG antibodies with different binding sites.
  

Antibody-Antigen Interactions:

Binding of antibody to antigen is dependent on hydrogen bonds, electrostatic attractions and Van der Waals attractions.

These bonds are weak compared to covalent bonds but the large number of weak bonds result in a stable complex.

Antibody-antigen binding is reversible.

Binding site differences are due to amino acid sequence differences.

The variable region is made up of 110 –130 amino acids.


All immunogens are antigens but not all antigens are immunogens.
Haptens are small molecules that can bind to antibodies but cannot by themselves induce an immune response.
However, the conjugate formed by coupling a hapten to a large carrier protein is immunogenic and elicits production of anti-hapten antibodies when injected into an animal.
Such injections also produce anti-carrier and antihapten/ carrier antibodies as well.
Antibody-Antigen Interactions:

• Binding of antibody to antigen is dependent on hydrogen bonds, electrostatic attractions and Van der Waals attractions.
  
• These bonds are weak compared to covalent bonds but the large number of weak bonds result in a stable complex.
  

• Antibody-antigen binding is reversible.
  
• Binding site differences are due to amino acid sequence differences.
  
• The variable region is made up of 110 –130 amino acids.
  
• Immunogenicity is determined by many factors including foreignness, molecular size, chemical composition, complexity, dose, susceptibility to antigen processing and presentation,
  
• The genotype of the recipient animal (in particular, its MHC genes), route of administration, and adjuvants.
  

ADJUVANTS: Adjuvants (from Latin adjuvare, to help) are substances that, when mixed with an antigen and injected with it, enhance the immunogenicity of that antigen. Adjuvants are often used to boost the immune response when an antigen has low immunogenicity or when only small amounts of an antigen are available
1. Antigen persistence is prolonged.
2. Co-stimulatory signals are enhanced.
3. Local inflammation is increased.
4. The nonspecific proliferation of lymphocytes is stimulated.


Polyclonal Antibody

• Most B cells will not respond to a particular antigen.
  
• Each B cell which is activated by an antigen is selected because its antibody binds an epitope on the antigen.
  

• There are usually many epitopes on an antigen.
  
• Each epitope stimulates a different B cell. Thus, there is clonal expansion of several different B cells.
  

• It is said to be a polyclonal antibody response, and the serum containing the mixture of antibodies is called a polyclonal antiserum.
  

• Produced by immunizing an animal with the appropriate antigen.
  
• The immunized animal’s serum is collected.
  
• Antibodies can then be purified from the serum.
  
• Since one antigen induces the production of many antibodies the result is a ‘polyclonal’ mixture of antibodies.
  
• Polyclonal antibodies are much less expensive than monoclonal antibodies.
  

How does antibody staining work?

• Antibody-antigen reaction is highly specific for a given antibody-antigen pair.
  
• Immunostaining techniques rely on the extreme specificity of an antibody for its antigen.
  

Indirect vs Direct Antibody Staining:
What is the difference between direct and indirect immunostaining?

• A single secondary detects many primaries so you only need one labeled antibody to be able to visualize the location of large numbers of primary antibodies.
  

Why do indirect Immunostaining?

• Also, the signal is stronger.
  
• Cheaper
  

Polyclonal Antibody Preparation:

• Because T lymphocytes must also be activated in order to help
  
• a B lymphocyte response, simple molecules, and molecules
  
• which do not have a protein component are coupled to protein
  
• carriers like Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH).
  

Adjuvant is used to-
• reduce the rate of clearance of the antigen from the body
• keep it fairly localized
• provide a low non-specific stimulus to the immune system to

• improve antigen presentation and B cell activation.
  
• Common adjuvants use an oil-aqueous emulsion to trap
  
• antigen for slow release.
  

Polyclonal Antibodies:

• Produced by immunizing an animal with the appropriate antigen.
  
• The immunized animal’s serum is collected.
  
• Antibodies can then be purified from the serum.
  
• Since one antigen induces the production of many antibodies the result is a ‘polyclonal’ mixture of antibodies.
  
• Polyclonal antibodies are much less expensive than monoclonal antibodies.
  

Monoclonal Antibodies:

• Much more complicated to produce than polyclonal antibodies.
  
• Process begins by immunizing an animal (most commonly a mouse) with an antigen.
  
• The animal’s spleen is removed.
  
• B-cells are fused with myeloma cells resulting in hybridomas.
  
• Hybridomas are screened to find those producing antibodies to the antigen with which they were immunized.
  
• Each hybridoma cell is derived from one B-cell so the antibodies that a clonal population of hybridoma cells produce are monoclonal antibodies.
  
• Monoclonal antibodies recognize one epitope only.