Open Access and using molecular structures in education
I love using molecular structures as teaching tools. They’re beautiful, they’re easy to obtain, and working with them is fun. But working with molecular structures as an educators can present some...
View ArticleComparing mutant and wild type structures
Over 2600 genetic diseases have been found where a change in a single gene is linked to the disease. One of the questions we might ask is how those mutations change the shape and possibly the function...
View ArticleA molecule for May
APRIL was so much fun, that I thought I should find a molecule for May. I searched both the Gene database, the structure database, everywhere, without any luck. Finally, I decided to change the search...
View ArticleThe search for August
Instead of enjoying a sunny summer day today, or partying with SciBlings in New York, I’m staring out my window watching the rain. Inspiration hit! What about searching for August? Folks, meet the HFQ...
View ArticleIt’s elemental: Chemistry movies on YouTube
The Periodic Table of Videos from the University of Nottingham has 118 short YouTube clips about the elements. Wired Campus recommended the Sodium clip (below). I liked it, too. It’s not quite as funny...
View ArticleWant to learn about genetics? Play with molecular modeling? I need volunteers
Want to learn more about Parkinson’s disease? See why a single nucleotide mutation messes up the function of a protein? I have a short activity that uses Cn3D (a molecular viewing program from the...
View ArticleIt’s an RNA world after all
Before mammals, before dinosaurs, before bacteria, or plants, there was something else; a protocell containing RNA. The Exploring Origins Project has excellent animations of protocells, a timeline of...
View ArticleCooking on Thanksgiving?
Our household is very excited about Thanksgiving. That’s because this Thanksgiving, my husband is cooking a turkey in an egg. A big green egg. Check back later today, about 5:30 pm, Pacific Standard...
View ArticleFun experiments for Thanksgiving
If you’re not cooking today, why not experiment? Here’s something fun you can do with Mentos and Diet Coke – and for those of you who think these experiments are too messy, you can still watch the...
View ArticleDangerous chemistry: explosive experiments with junk food
It’s a long, long, weekend; perfect for going outside and doing a few loud, messy experiments. Cooking-intensive holidays always remind me how much fun it is to do a bit of chemistry, especially when...
View ArticleDon’t pine for me – some parts are not edible
On pinene and inhibiting enzymes. People of a certain age may remember a series of really funny commercials featuring Euell Gibbons and his famous question about whether you’ve ever eaten a pine tree....
View ArticleThe invisible data of Isabella Karle
When finding a female scientists’ data turns into an archeological treasure hunt. A few months ago, I decided it would be interesting to celebrate various scientific contributions by making images of...
View ArticleExploring levels of protein structure with molecular models and snake venom
Imagine a simple hike in a grassy part of South America. You hear a rattle and feel a quick stab of pain as fangs sink into your leg. Toxins in the snake venom travel through your blood vessels and...
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