I’m Back

Okay, i know I promised that I’d keep this thing updated, but I slacked off. Between senior research, finals, graduation, and packing, moving across the country, and doing research, I haven’t much time to update. I figure now that I have a free moment to clear out some spam comments, I might as well make a post.

So I’m in Arizona now. I’ve started my graduate program a little early, and am doing research. It began as a pretty frustrating experience, because I’m certainly not a synthetic chemist, and my O-chem is more than a little rusty, but after 4 weeks I think I’m getting the hang of it.

In the meanwhile, I’ve been looking for an apartment for this fall. Thats about it. For now.

Peace.

Hooray for frogs!

A Vanderbilt study has found that peptides secreted by frogs may lead to topical treatments to prevent HIV transmission. “The peptides appear to selectively kill the virus, perhaps by inserting themselves into the HIV outer membrane envelope and creating ‘holes’ that cause the virus particle to fall apart.”

Studies into the mechanism of these peptides will undoubtedly result in being able to utilize synthetic compounds to achieve the same results.

I love science.

Note to self: Don’t apply to any schools in NJ

Apparently a lab in NJ has somehow managed to lose a bunch of mice infected with the bubonic plague.

Anyhow, speaking of grad school, I’ve narrowed down my list to the following schools/programs:

University of Cincinnati, Chemistry
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, biochemistry
University of Arizona, BCP
Penn State, biochemistry
University of Virginia, BMBMG

Plus or minus a few shoe-in schools. My top choices right now are U of Arizona and U of Cincinnati, so if I get into either of those, I’ll be happy.

glucose love song

I did not write this, but I find it hilarious… and a useful study guide for my biochem final

Glucose — ah, sugar sugar –
You are my favorite fuel
From the blood-borne substrate pool.
Glucose — monosaccharide sugar –
You’re sweeter than a woman’s kiss
‘Cause I need you for glycolysis.

I just can’t believe the way my muscles take you in.
(For you, they’ll open the door.)
All it takes is a little bit of insulin
(To upregulate GLUT4).

Ah, glucose — ah, sugar sugar –
You help me make ATP
When my predators are chasing me.
Ah, glucose — you’re an aldehyde sugar,
And you’re sweeter than a woman’s kiss
‘Cause I need you for glycolysis.

I just can’t believe the way my muscles break you down.
(My glycogen is almost gone.)
A few more seconds and I’ll be rigor mortis-bound.
(Acidosis done me wrong.)

Your sweet is turning sour, baby.
I’m losing all my power, baby.
I’m gonna make your muscles ache.
No, no, no!
I’m swimming in lactate, baby.
Yes, I’m swimming in lactate, baby.
Now I’m drowning in lactate, baby.
I’m gonna make your muscles ache.
No, no, no!
I’m drowning in lactate, baby.

Ah, glucose — ah, sugar sugar –
I used you up and you left me flat;
Now I’ll have to get my kicks from fat.
Oh, glucose, glucose, sugar, sugar,
The honeymoon is over now.