Central Dogma: The Movie
It all started in 2004 when I was trying to explain the trombone model for DNA replication to students in BCH453/553 (Biochemistry of Gene Expression). The conversation went like this… Student X: Dr....
View ArticleRubredoxin the Indestructible
Most biochemists have had the “pleasure” of working with proteins that require cool atmospheres and a comfy solvent to keep them temporarily happy (until they randomly decide to aggregate into protein...
View ArticleNational Science Foundation IGERT training program sends young scientists to...
Graduate student Annette Bodenheimer and Dr. Meilleur participated in an Integrative Graduate Education and Research Traineeship (IGERT) workshop in neutron scattering conducted at the Oak Ridge...
View ArticleNovel industrial applications from salt loving extremophiles
This blog will review two recent publications that explore environmentally friendly advances in biotechnology by exploiting halophilic organisms from the family Halobacteriaceae. Halophiles are found...
View ArticleMatrone lecture by Dr. Robert Lefkowitz
Dr. Robert Lefkowitz presented the 2013 Matrone Lecture in Biochemistry at NC State University on April 18. The Department of Molecular and Structural Biochemistry, Biochem Blogs and NC State...
View ArticleCadmium: toxic to mammals, harmless to a bacterium, helpful to an alga
Heavy metal poisoning is a major health concern across the world. Heavy metal ions frequently leak into the environment from industrial waste causing multiple health problems in humans, animals, and...
View ArticleThe traveling biochemist: Science in the far east
When I’m lucky enough to be invited to a conference outside the United States, I jump at the chance to visit faculty and students at other institutes. Recently, I was invited by the Biochemical Journal...
View ArticleNCSU Biochemistry graduates stellar students
In the May 2013 graduation ceremony, the department conferred BS Biochemistry degrees to 56 students and PhD Biochemistry to 5 students. Previous graduating classes were approximately 40:60 men:women;...
View ArticleIntroducing WolfPub – A publication management system for webpage development
We are pleased to announce the launch of WolfPub, an easy and secure way to manage your publications. WolfPub is a web-based system that allows you to maintain and store your publications, then WolfPub...
View ArticleRecA: A glimpse into the cosmos
Waking up thousands of miles from home was a normal occurrence in the summer months as a child. I was never the first awake, there was always one who was waiting for me. To say my grandfather was an...
View ArticleThoughts on modern graduate students
It sometimes feels as though I am taking two steps forward, one step sideways, and a few steps back……. I have been in graduate school at N.C. State for almost three years and I did a stent in undergrad...
View ArticleLab techs rock
This little gem was sent to me in an email recently from a former student who had the official title of “lab helper.” A lab tech’s job is a lot like taking care of a baby. You need to … Continue...
View Article4th workshop on the applications of neutrons scattering in structural biology
Dr. Flora Meilleur chaired the 4th workshop on the applications of neutrons scattering in structural biology (BCH590E) hosted by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) during June 24-28, 2013. Since the...
View ArticleReflections on 7.5 years of graduate school
I went to a small liberal arts college which had a very small chemistry program (some of my classes had just me and one other person). For an elective I was given the choice of either Inorganic...
View ArticleMove over big oil: Microorganisms strike it big with new “black” gold
I cannot say that I’m unfamiliar giving presentations in front of groups as I was a TA for years for Dr. Jim Knopp teaching 50+ students for 1.5 hours once a week. I will say that giving my first...
View ArticleMost Bizarre Advising Session Ever
On the bench of the 5th Hole at Cedar Rock Disc Golf Course During the 2013 U.S. Masters Disc Golf Championships For fun relaxation, exercise and competition, I play disc golf. I do it a lot – it keeps...
View ArticleBiodiesel: Is it worth it? Can we make it worth it?
As anybody who drives has noticed, the price of oil has increased continuously (except the major drop in late 2008) over the past 15 years, and almost continuously over the past 40 years. This price...
View ArticleFrom flask to tank: Learning which genes we can copy and paste to address...
Because of the growing demand of energy needs and a lack of efficient, alternative sources of energy, using biotechnology to harvest the hydrocarbons from bacteria or other microorganisms seems to be a...
View ArticleGrass in the tank
Fossil fuels are disappearing. Carbon dioxide released from burning these fuels is accumulating in our atmosphere. Neither half of this planetary carbon problem has an end in sight. The immediate...
View ArticleCan algae replace food crops as our biofuel source?
What do you think of when you hear the word algae? I just think of cool looking green stuff that grows in water. But algae have been getting a lot of press lately for being something much more than...
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