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.

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.