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any biologists out there?

POSTED BY: EST120
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 1, 2005 06:38
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Monday, January 31, 2005 5:18 AM

EST120


okay, i will admit. i am a nerd. i am a scientist as well. i was wondering if anyone else on this site is a biologist or molecular biologist? the reason i ask is because i was doing a very common type of experiment this morning and one part of the technique requires the measurement of "firefly" activity which is basically just measuring the amount of light generated by my little samples. anyone else know what i am talking about? i was looking at the numbers this morning and noticed that my printout said "firefly" in the corner. it made me smile.


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Monday, January 31, 2005 6:38 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!


Quote:

i was looking at the numbers this morning and noticed that my printout said "firefly" in the corner. it made me smile.


Heh heh. Don't know much about the science part, but I can relate to that. Seems every few days I hear or see something that makes me think of our BDH.

" They don't like it when you shoot at 'em. I worked that out myself. "

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Monday, January 31, 2005 7:43 AM

IMEARLY


Do you refer to the relationship between bioluminescence and chemiluminescence? Perhaps useing quantitative measurements of the optical emission from excited chemical species to determine analyte concentration?

So you're a bounty hunter.
No, that ain't it at all.
Then what are you?
I'm a bounty hunter.

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Monday, January 31, 2005 8:12 AM

EST120


Quote:

Originally posted by ImEarly:
Do you refer to the relationship between bioluminescence and chemiluminescence? Perhaps useing quantitative measurements of the optical emission from excited chemical species to determine analyte concentration?

So you're a bounty hunter.
No, that ain't it at all.
Then what are you?
I'm a bounty hunter.



yes. the chemical used for the "firefly" i am referring to was first found in real fireflies.

are you a fellow molecular biologist?

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Monday, January 31, 2005 9:57 AM

PATAY13


Sort of a biologist. Not familiar with your 'firefly' measurement. But I totally get the part about seeing firefly in lots of unexpected places.

Just yesterday I was looking for websites on an old kids' TV show I used to watch called (at the risk of dating myself) The Bugaloos. I found a site, and then recalled that one of the characters was a firefly named Sparky.


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Monday, January 31, 2005 10:12 AM

IMEARLY


No, unfortunately I am not a molecular biologist, I am a student of Neuropsychology at the University of South Florida, and I found your learned post, most intriguing. To tell the truth I know very little (nothing actually) about bioluminescence or chemiluminescence’s. I am just familiar with the definitions.

So you're a bounty hunter.
No, that ain't it at all.
Then what are you?
I'm a bounty hunter.

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Monday, January 31, 2005 11:01 AM

GRIMMA


I tell people I'm a biologist, but my diploma says I'm a microbiologist. I have done molecular biology too.

I'm looking for work ;-) Any open position? Any idea where they have open positions and are willing to hire non-Americans?

I haven't had the occasion to work with this 'firefly' tool... I've seen images

What are you working on btw?

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Monday, January 31, 2005 11:02 AM

BENCHCOAT


luciferase assay

bio-nerd right here--genetics and molecular bio (although lots of those divisions are pretty fuzzy these days)

fun dumb nerd game: think of the longest, most jargon-y way to describe what you do.

neuro-molecular-physio-developmental geneticist?

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Monday, January 31, 2005 11:49 AM

FORRESTWOLF


My WIFE is a molecular biologist (generally works in development, but other things too, that I don't understand). And a Browncoat! Me, I'm a physicist who doesn't understand what she means when she's making tach or running gels...sigh... Didn't do "firefly" tests that I know of, but she DID work a lot with dragonflies in grad school :)

I'll second the request - anyone out there looking to hire a very talented molecular biologist?

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Monday, January 31, 2005 12:24 PM

EST120


Quote:

Originally posted by Forrestwolf:
My WIFE is a molecular biologist (generally works in development, but other things too, that I don't understand). And a Browncoat! Me, I'm a physicist who doesn't understand what she means when she's making tach or running gels...sigh... Didn't do "firefly" tests that I know of, but she DID work a lot with dragonflies in grad school :)

I'll second the request - anyone out there looking to hire a very talented molecular biologist?



actually, she probably is making "taq" which is an enzyme used to make DNA. :)

just FYI, i think promega ( www.promega.com) is hiring. they are in madison, WI.

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Monday, January 31, 2005 12:27 PM

EST120


Quote:

Originally posted by benchcoat:
luciferase assay

bio-nerd right here--genetics and molecular bio (although lots of those divisions are pretty fuzzy these days)

fun dumb nerd game: think of the longest, most jargon-y way to describe what you do.

neuro-molecular-physio-developmental geneticist?



you are right! a luciferase assay. did one this morning. got to use our neat-o dual injector automated plate reader. so much better than sitting in front of a single tube reader for a couple hours. i am sure you know the feeling if you have ever done a luciferase assay.

hmm... i have a degree that makes me a molecular toxicologist though my current work makes me more of a molecular and environmental toxicologist and endocrinologist. yikes! how did i end up here?! just kidding. i love my job.

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Monday, January 31, 2005 12:35 PM

BENCHCOAT


she's probably not making taq, as I think there may be patent infringement issues with that--and no lab is going to make something increbibly cheaply that they could buy for large sums of money.

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Monday, January 31, 2005 12:54 PM

EST120


Quote:

Originally posted by benchcoat:
she's probably not making taq, as I think there may be patent infringement issues with that--and no lab is going to make something increbibly cheaply that they could buy for large sums of money.



probably not, but if she worked for PGC or invitrogen, then they probably are making their own "patented" taq.

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Monday, January 31, 2005 3:08 PM

FORRESTWOLF


I just checked - she was NOT making taq - but someone was making it FOR her :) She informs me she would never be making something as mundane as taq :) And she says SHE has the coolest plate reader. And we're NOT moving to Madison!

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Monday, January 31, 2005 6:20 PM

BADGERSHAT


Quote:

Originally posted by ImEarly:
Do you refer to the relationship between bioluminescence and chemiluminescence? Perhaps useing quantitative measurements of the optical emission from excited chemical species to determine analyte concentration?


... Originally posted by EST120:
actually, she probably is making "taq" which is an enzyme used to make DNA. :)

...you are right! a luciferase assay. did one this morning. got to use our neat-o dual injector automated plate reader. so much better than sitting in front of a single tube reader for a couple hours. i am sure you know the feeling if you have ever done a luciferase assay.

... probably not, but if she worked for PGC or invitrogen, then they probably are making their own "patented" taq.


... Originally posted by FORRESTWOLF
... I just checked - she was NOT making taq - but someone was making it FOR her :) She informs me she would never be making something as mundane as taq :) And she says SHE has the coolest plate reader. And we're NOT moving to Madison!






... what the hell language are you people speaking????

--Jefé The Hat

***************************
--Don't bother trying to predict, figure out, second guess, criticize, or suggest anything that comes from the mind of Joss Whedon, for you shall usually be wrong, and shall find out the Truth and Purpose in due time.
(This is the Truth of Whedoning)

"I like smackin 'em"--Jayne

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Tuesday, February 1, 2005 5:17 AM

IMEARLY



Quote:

... what the hell language are you people speaking????


English...

You just have to break it down

The name bioluminescence originates from the Greek bios for "living" and the Latin lumen "light".

it is the emission of light from living organisms such as a firefly.

chemiluminescence is the same thing largely due to a chemical reaction

Chemoluminescence (sometimes "chemiluminescence") is the emission of light (luminescence) as the result of a chemical reaction. Most simply, given reactants A and B, with an excited intermediate ◊, we have,

[A] + → [◊] → [Products] + light

The decay of the excited state[◊] to a lower energy level is responsible for the emission of light. In theory, one photon of light should be given off for each molecule of reactant, or Avogadro's number of photons per mole. In actual practice, non-enzymatic reactions seldom exceed 1% QC, quantum efficiency.

For example, if [A] is luminol and is hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a suitable catalyst we have,

luminol + H2O2 → 3-APA[◊] → 3-APA + light

Where 3-APA is 3-aminophthalate. And 3-APA[◊] is the excited state florescing as it decays to a lower energy level.

A standard example of chemoluminescence in the laboratory setting is found in the luminol test, where evidence of blood is taken when the sample glows upon contact with iron.

When chemoluminescence takes place in living organisms, the phenomenon is called bioluminescence.

Therefore a Firefly emits light by
bioluminescence.

And a lightstick emits light by chemoluminescence.


So you're a bounty hunter.
No, that ain't it at all.
Then what are you?
I'm a bounty hunter.

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Tuesday, February 1, 2005 5:29 AM

BADGERSHAT


Quote:

Originally posted by ImEarly:

Quote:

... what the hell language are you people speaking????


English...

You just have to break it down

The name bioluminescence originates from the Greek bios for "living" and the Latin lumen "light".

it is the emission of light from living organisms such as a firefly.

chemiluminescence is the same thing largely due to a chemical reaction

Chemoluminescence (sometimes "chemiluminescence") is the emission of light (luminescence) as the result of a chemical reaction. Most simply, given reactants A and B, with an excited intermediate ◊, we have,

[A] + → [◊] → [Products] + light

The decay of the excited state[◊] to a lower energy level is responsible for the emission of light. In theory, one photon of light should be given off for each molecule of reactant, or Avogadro's number of photons per mole. In actual practice, non-enzymatic reactions seldom exceed 1% QC, quantum efficiency.

For example, if [A] is luminol and is hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a suitable catalyst we have,

luminol + H2O2 → 3-APA[◊] → 3-APA + light

Where 3-APA is 3-aminophthalate. And 3-APA[◊] is the excited state florescing as it decays to a lower energy level.

A standard example of chemoluminescence in the laboratory setting is found in the luminol test, where evidence of blood is taken when the sample glows upon contact with iron.

When chemoluminescence takes place in living organisms, the phenomenon is called bioluminescence.

Therefore a Firefly emits light by
bioluminescence.

And a lightstick emits light by chemoluminescence.


So you're a bounty hunter.
No, that ain't it at all.
Then what are you?
I'm a bounty hunter.





........ [sounds of ominous rumbling]

Oh.

[rumbling becomes more violent]

Thanks.

[Jefé's head suddenly explodes, sending hair, bone, and brain parts all over the thread]

Sorry about the mess...

--Jefé The Hat

***************************
--Don't bother trying to predict, figure out, second guess, criticize, or suggest anything that comes from the mind of Joss Whedon, for you shall usually be wrong, and shall find out the Truth and Purpose in due time.
(This is the Truth of Whedoning)

"I like smackin 'em"--Jayne

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Tuesday, February 1, 2005 5:49 AM

EST120


Quote:

Originally posted by BadgersHat:
... what the hell language are you people speaking????

--Jefé The Hat




taq is an enzyme that molecular biologists use to make pieces of DNA. it is particularly useful because it is stable at high temperatures (almost boiling). it was discovered in a bacteria that live in steam vents and such (thus, the ability to withstand the heat). those things you see on TV concerning paternity testing and DNA testing in criminal cases probably use a technique called PCR which uses taq to identify specific sequences in DNA. without taq, maury povich and jerry springer would have nothing to talk about. actually, i am sure they would find something.

make a little more sense?

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Tuesday, February 1, 2005 5:50 AM

EST120


Quote:

Originally posted by Forrestwolf:
I just checked - she was NOT making taq - but someone was making it FOR her :) She informs me she would never be making something as mundane as taq :) And she says SHE has the coolest plate reader. And we're NOT moving to Madison!



what? you do not like cheese and beer? hahaha. just kidding.

i might have to challenge the "coolness" of her plate reader. ask her what kind of plate reader she has. regardless, i am sure it cost quite a bit to purchase.

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Tuesday, February 1, 2005 5:59 AM

BADGERSHAT


Quote:

Originally posted by est120:


taq is an enzyme that molecular biologists use to make pieces of DNA. it is particularly useful because it is stable at high temperatures (almost boiling). it was discovered in a bacteria that live in steam vents and such (thus, the ability to withstand the heat). those things you see on TV concerning paternity testing and DNA testing in criminal cases probably use a technique called PCR which uses taq to identify specific sequences in DNA. without taq, maury povich and jerry springer would have nothing to talk about. actually, i am sure they would find something.

make a little more sense?




Not even remotely...

--Jefé The Hat

***************************
--Don't bother trying to predict, figure out, second guess, criticize, or suggest anything that comes from the mind of Joss Whedon, for you shall usually be wrong, and shall find out the Truth and Purpose in due time.
(This is the Truth of Whedoning)

"I like smackin 'em"--Jayne

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Tuesday, February 1, 2005 6:38 AM

GRIMMA


Bwaaaahhh, I WANT to work! I don't want a QA job, I want an R&D job... I want to say hi! to my little beasts and make them green, red, purple, yellow!

taq was my friend for 2 months then I had to leave her. Yep, in French, an enzyme is a feminine word.

DNA, PCR, electrophoresis, E. Coli, -80°C, +37°C et al., I promise I'll see you all again.

Please guys, talk more about your work (of course what's not confidential). You won't show off, you'll just be singing a lullaby to me.

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