Todays' lecture was about non-genetic analysis involving GFP and RNA formation.
What I found interesting was the amount of regulation and variety that is achieved from RNAs! it's so fascinating! With the example of the drosophila, how sex is determined by how the same gene is spliced. If it is spliced in one way, the embryo is male and if it is spliced in another, it is female. There are other regulatory pathways involved that promotes a specific form of splicing. Another interesting phenomenon that is seen in biology is the use of a single molecule to promote different behaviour ex. cytoplasmic iron levels and the formation of ferratin or transferrin.
I implemented the idea that I would write cue words along throughout the lecture and then constantly review them. This worked and help in recall and I realized that when I recalled I actually thought I covered everything. However, when I check, I realize that there are lots of details I missed. This is helped me become more aware of the details that is needed in BMS. I found that it is way more effective to listen to what the lecturer was saying, then read the slide and then write. This helps compact the information into what I understand and I remember it for a long time. My rate limiting step is my typing speed. Thus, this needs improving. My aim is to reach 60 wpm. I am aiming to achieve this before the next lecture. Another area of improvement is my sleep cycle, I need to maintain a strict sleep cycle otherwise I wake up late and my mind is not optimally active. The last area of improvement is seeing the connections within the topic and cross-modular.
The future
This is my favorite part because I get to see the relevance of the information to a bigger picture.
GFP is something that is used in anything and everything. Is there a way of introducing spliced eIF-4G in cancerous cells, inhibting them from producing growth factors etc. According to a study by Bauer et al. 2002, eIF-4G overexpression is associated with cancerous cells. There are other eukaryotic transcription factors that are associated with cancer. They could also be used as a diagnostic tool.
Bauer et al. 2002: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11857405
Veremieva et al. 2014: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25472873
Wednesday, 18 March 2015
Tuesday, 17 March 2015
Personal tutorial
Well, I just came out of a personal tutorial meeting. We talked about S1 grades. It was really interesting, this was the first time that I felt comfortable, where I felt like myself. I felt confident on talking about what I want.
I felt different, I don't know whether it is a result of being a chair... I suspect it is.
I talked about how I could have improved my grades and he gave me a contact of a person who got admitted into medicine.
What I found interesting about me was that I didn't mention my other activities this semester... It is interesting because we were talking about what I could do to get my CV up to the standard. I mentioned the SURE scheme and the volunteering at the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind. However, I did not mention the fact that I am a chair, or that I got on the eMentoring course or that I got on the research course. Why? I think one of my fears comes up again. I don't know how I will be viewed. I was afraid of being told to drop the things I am doing. It is interesting. But, what I do is okay; it's not too much. At least in my mind.
This is something I need to assess.
Well, regarding the S1 results; there are lots of room for improvement. The next step is to determine how I will go about it. This is exciting. In my second year, I learnt that the best way to pass is by reflective writing. I learnt a lot from that process than by reading multiple books on self-improvement; and, the best part is that I am learning more about myself in the process.
I felt different, I don't know whether it is a result of being a chair... I suspect it is.
I talked about how I could have improved my grades and he gave me a contact of a person who got admitted into medicine.
What I found interesting about me was that I didn't mention my other activities this semester... It is interesting because we were talking about what I could do to get my CV up to the standard. I mentioned the SURE scheme and the volunteering at the Sheffield Royal Society for the Blind. However, I did not mention the fact that I am a chair, or that I got on the eMentoring course or that I got on the research course. Why? I think one of my fears comes up again. I don't know how I will be viewed. I was afraid of being told to drop the things I am doing. It is interesting. But, what I do is okay; it's not too much. At least in my mind.
This is something I need to assess.
Well, regarding the S1 results; there are lots of room for improvement. The next step is to determine how I will go about it. This is exciting. In my second year, I learnt that the best way to pass is by reflective writing. I learnt a lot from that process than by reading multiple books on self-improvement; and, the best part is that I am learning more about myself in the process.
Monday, 16 March 2015
Lecture: tyrosine kinase receptor and cellular analysis
There were two different lectures today, that interestingly overlapped. They were both talking about processes that were taking place in the same location. However, the first lecture was more general and the second lecture had a specific example.
Lecture 1:
This lecture described genetic and non-genetic analysis. The information discussed in this lecture was taught to us lat year, but, the lecturer categorised them. The categorisation helps during recall. Topics: different types of mutations (their effect on transcription factors), detection mechanisms of proteins using in situ. the interesting thing is that, it was way more detailed than what we learnt last year; there was more detail regarding the vectors and promotor sequences.
During this lecture I could have improved on my note taking skills. I realized that there were some points that I misspelled or didn't read the slide notes. It was because I was rushing through trying to get everything down instead of trying to understand it. for the next lecture, I need to make sure that the lecturer is the type that puts up the slides online, read prior to the lecture and just take my time to understand what he says. What I found helped me was trying to recall the points he mentioned at the beginning of the lecture and consciously trying to see how everything connects in a lecture. What I found difficult with this process was that I missed out some details and point. Next time, I will write down the main point in one word in my note book, so that when I try to recall I can check against it.
Lecture 2:
This was similar to the TGF beta, the tyrosine kinase receptor had a similar structure. What I found fascinating was the specificity in the docking proteins and their signalling cascades. The concept of -morphic mutations were introduced in the TKR. It was interesting to find out that the extracellular matrix (HSPGs) play an important role in signalling pathways. There is just a lot of layers of regulation within a cell that's mind boggling.
Lecture 1:
This lecture described genetic and non-genetic analysis. The information discussed in this lecture was taught to us lat year, but, the lecturer categorised them. The categorisation helps during recall. Topics: different types of mutations (their effect on transcription factors), detection mechanisms of proteins using in situ. the interesting thing is that, it was way more detailed than what we learnt last year; there was more detail regarding the vectors and promotor sequences.
During this lecture I could have improved on my note taking skills. I realized that there were some points that I misspelled or didn't read the slide notes. It was because I was rushing through trying to get everything down instead of trying to understand it. for the next lecture, I need to make sure that the lecturer is the type that puts up the slides online, read prior to the lecture and just take my time to understand what he says. What I found helped me was trying to recall the points he mentioned at the beginning of the lecture and consciously trying to see how everything connects in a lecture. What I found difficult with this process was that I missed out some details and point. Next time, I will write down the main point in one word in my note book, so that when I try to recall I can check against it.
Lecture 2:
This was similar to the TGF beta, the tyrosine kinase receptor had a similar structure. What I found fascinating was the specificity in the docking proteins and their signalling cascades. The concept of -morphic mutations were introduced in the TKR. It was interesting to find out that the extracellular matrix (HSPGs) play an important role in signalling pathways. There is just a lot of layers of regulation within a cell that's mind boggling.
Wednesday, 4 March 2015
Lecture: DNA control of gene expression and the brain
Well, there were 2 lectures today. One was about the control that we and other species have of DNA expression and it stressed mainly on processed that affect transcription. The other lecture was about the external features of the brain.
Lecture 1
I was more awake during this lecture and I could organize my notes. I think this was because the lecturer was talking slowly. The good thing about this lecture was that everything here was repeated. So it was all familiar and this was more like a revision. With todays lecture I listened and read before writing. I managed to get everything written down.
An area of improvement was I think the lecturer could have had better time management, he ended up rushing in the end(to be fair he was substituting for another lecturer). I realized that aiming to do the recommended reading in the morning is not working at this moment because I wake up late. Therefore, I should switch to doing the reading the night before, it should take 15-30mins. Maybe I should have a 'time-line' of the whole cellular events, so with each lecture, I will update it.
Lecture 2
I felt like I what we were covering was familiar. What I learnt about myself that, I can memorize the names during the lecture by association such as 'falx cerebri' <-- that actually took me a while... I need to find a more effective method of memorising in lectures. I learned that during lectures I need to mentally review what we went through from the time it started.
My problem is quick recall. Recalling the information is difficult. What can I do about it? What has worked for me in the past? Well, going over the objectives really helped. I feel like I need to dedicate a day of the week to gather information and commit to memory the information so far. The best day would be after the lab lessons or on friday afternoon. In the lecture, I think it would be more effective to have a mind-map rather than taking linear notes because a lot of things overlap.
The future
I just find it fascinating that the brain; something so small, so light, is in charge of our life. It's just really interesting. I would really like to know the organization of the brain. The relationship between structure and function. Is there a possibility of regenerating ones' brain? I want to have a holistic approach with the brain, how it is in charge of all the processes going on in the body. I think I will need to review my past lecture notes but this time with interest. Why don't lecturers start their lectures with an interesting way their concept can be implemented in the real world.
What is the future of brains? That is my question.
The beauty of control of gene expression is that we have an idea of what is happening in the nucleus, however, can we mimic this process? when will it be used?
Lecture 1
I was more awake during this lecture and I could organize my notes. I think this was because the lecturer was talking slowly. The good thing about this lecture was that everything here was repeated. So it was all familiar and this was more like a revision. With todays lecture I listened and read before writing. I managed to get everything written down.
An area of improvement was I think the lecturer could have had better time management, he ended up rushing in the end(to be fair he was substituting for another lecturer). I realized that aiming to do the recommended reading in the morning is not working at this moment because I wake up late. Therefore, I should switch to doing the reading the night before, it should take 15-30mins. Maybe I should have a 'time-line' of the whole cellular events, so with each lecture, I will update it.
Lecture 2
I felt like I what we were covering was familiar. What I learnt about myself that, I can memorize the names during the lecture by association such as 'falx cerebri' <-- that actually took me a while... I need to find a more effective method of memorising in lectures. I learned that during lectures I need to mentally review what we went through from the time it started.
My problem is quick recall. Recalling the information is difficult. What can I do about it? What has worked for me in the past? Well, going over the objectives really helped. I feel like I need to dedicate a day of the week to gather information and commit to memory the information so far. The best day would be after the lab lessons or on friday afternoon. In the lecture, I think it would be more effective to have a mind-map rather than taking linear notes because a lot of things overlap.
The future
I just find it fascinating that the brain; something so small, so light, is in charge of our life. It's just really interesting. I would really like to know the organization of the brain. The relationship between structure and function. Is there a possibility of regenerating ones' brain? I want to have a holistic approach with the brain, how it is in charge of all the processes going on in the body. I think I will need to review my past lecture notes but this time with interest. Why don't lecturers start their lectures with an interesting way their concept can be implemented in the real world.
What is the future of brains? That is my question.
The beauty of control of gene expression is that we have an idea of what is happening in the nucleus, however, can we mimic this process? when will it be used?
Monday, 2 March 2015
RNA and mesoderm segmentation
There were two different lectures today; one regarding the pathway of RNA in the cell and the other regarding mesoderm formation.
I found them really interesting, the degree of detail and complexity was fascinating! One can't help but wonder how this strict organisation within the body is achieved and how is it conserved in so many people.
The lectures were okay. In the RNA lecture, I felt that he could have had someone volunteer to demonstrate the super-coiling. Also it would have been useful if there was an animation when explaining how the RNA is spliced. The good aspect about it is that the information was covered last year. I didn't ask any questions for this lecture, even though I had some. I felt nervous getting up and asking a question. I still don't understand myself; why do I feel this way. Another skill to develop. The second lecture, was delivered really well. There were some videos that could have been slower to help us grasp the concept but nonetheless it was understandable. It still astounds me how the clockwork mechanism works and the interaction between the clockwork and dividing front (need to recheck the terminology.
RNA: it helps understand viruses, potential areas for anti-bacterial drug development
Mesoderm segmentation: the disease that affects vertebrae symmetry, will it help in regeneration when one understands the molecules involved?
Next time:
I would have helped to read the material beforehand. Read the lecture slides and understand how the molecules interact with each other. It was interesting that the lecturer stated the clockwork formation as a story, it help stick in my mind, the background of its discovery.
I found them really interesting, the degree of detail and complexity was fascinating! One can't help but wonder how this strict organisation within the body is achieved and how is it conserved in so many people.
The lectures were okay. In the RNA lecture, I felt that he could have had someone volunteer to demonstrate the super-coiling. Also it would have been useful if there was an animation when explaining how the RNA is spliced. The good aspect about it is that the information was covered last year. I didn't ask any questions for this lecture, even though I had some. I felt nervous getting up and asking a question. I still don't understand myself; why do I feel this way. Another skill to develop. The second lecture, was delivered really well. There were some videos that could have been slower to help us grasp the concept but nonetheless it was understandable. It still astounds me how the clockwork mechanism works and the interaction between the clockwork and dividing front (need to recheck the terminology.
RNA: it helps understand viruses, potential areas for anti-bacterial drug development
Mesoderm segmentation: the disease that affects vertebrae symmetry, will it help in regeneration when one understands the molecules involved?
Next time:
I would have helped to read the material beforehand. Read the lecture slides and understand how the molecules interact with each other. It was interesting that the lecturer stated the clockwork formation as a story, it help stick in my mind, the background of its discovery.
New leaf
From now on this blog will be used as a reflective journal, where I will putting up my reflection regarding a set of lectures I undertook on the day.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
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