About Us
Practically Science was started by two Yale PhD students in 2012. Its goal is to make single-sheet summaries of common interdisciplinary methods, ideas, etc. Continue Reading →Please follow & like us :)
Blogroll
Site Map
-
Recent Posts
Search Results for: kinetics
Kinetics #6: Pulse-Chase Experiments
In our sixth post on Understanding Kinetics, we consider pulse-chase experiments which are a common method to study bio-synthetic pathways. In pulse-chase experiments: A “pulse” of labeled metabolite (P) is added to culture media. The down-stream intermediates ((P1, P2, P3, … Continue reading
Comments Off on Kinetics #6: Pulse-Chase Experiments
Posted in Biochemistry, Models
Kinetics #5: Molecular Complexes (e.g. drug-target)
In our fifth post on Understanding Kinetics, we consider the speed at which molecular complexes form. This is the fundamental mechanism underlying drug action (i.e. drugs inhibition their targets) and cellular signalling (i.e. ligands activate their receptors) and is probably … Continue reading
Comments Off on Kinetics #5: Molecular Complexes (e.g. drug-target)
Posted in Biochemistry, Models
Kinetics #4: Reversible On-Off States
In our fourth post in the Understanding Kinetics series we consider the speed at which proteins can turn off (A) or on (B). The dynamics of such processes are important to consider when designing experiments (i.e. How long should I … Continue reading
Comments Off on Kinetics #4: Reversible On-Off States
Posted in Biochemistry, Models
Kinetics #3: Branch Points in Biochemical Pathways
In a follow up to our posts on Intuiting Enzyme Kinetics and Sequential Biochemical Pathways, we next wanted to consider the kinetic curves branch points in biochemical pathways (or equivalently kinetic competitions). Luckily exact mathematical models exist for competitive first-order … Continue reading
Comments Off on Kinetics #3: Branch Points in Biochemical Pathways
Posted in Biochemistry, Biology, Math, Models
Kinetics #2: Sequential Biochemical Pathways
In a follow up to our post our post on intuiting enzyme kinetics, we next wanted to consider the kinetic curves for sequential biochemical pathways. Luckily exact mathematical models exist for sequential first-order processes (see below) and we can use … Continue reading
Comments Off on Kinetics #2: Sequential Biochemical Pathways
Posted in Biochemistry, Biology, Math, Models
Kinetics #1: Catalyzed Reaction Timescales
Most chemical and biochemical research concerns reaction that are catalyzed by either an enzyme or a chemical catalyst. Unfortunately, when we learn chemical kinetics, it is usually in the context of idealized: uncatalyzed 0th-order, 1st-order of 2nd-order chemical reactions. Luckily … Continue reading
Comments Off on Kinetics #1: Catalyzed Reaction Timescales
Posted in Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Math, Models
Timescales, Kinetics, Rates, Half-lives in Biology
Understanding interactions between processes with different rates can made significantly easier when you know the approximate timescales or half-lives for those processes. Comparing two processes (e.g. alpha helix folding of a peptide chain (micro seconds (10-6s)) and translation of … Continue reading
Comments Off on Timescales, Kinetics, Rates, Half-lives in Biology
Posted in Biochemistry, Biophysics
A Model of Tumor Development
Tumors develop in two distinct stages: (1) Initiation to Last-Common-Ancestor(LCA) where 6-8 “driver-mutations” occur sequentially over 10-50 years and (2) LCA to Metastasis where mutations occur more rapidly in parallel. In the first phase, mutations occur slowly and pierce 6-8 … Continue reading
How do you “Fractionate” a Cell?
Different scientific questions focus on different parts of the cell and it is often necessary to break a cell up into those different pieces (figure above). While various “-omic” methods are well suited to answering global/systems-level questions for the four … Continue reading
Comments Off on How do you “Fractionate” a Cell?
Posted in Cellular Biology
ELISA-based High Throughput Screening
In a follow-up to our post introducing ELISA, we wanted to discuss a common application of this technique: small molecule inhibitor screening. The set up is relatively simple (1) Coat a 96-well plate with your two proteins of interest … Continue reading
Comments Off on ELISA-based High Throughput Screening
Posted in Chemical Biology, Chemistry
Introduction to ELISA
ELISA or Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay is the most commonly used method for measuring proteins concentrations in solution. It is extensively used both in the laboratory (e.g. culture supernatant) and the clinic (e.g. blood tests) due to its simplicity and adaptability … Continue reading
Comments Off on Introduction to ELISA
Posted in Biology, Cellular Biology
How does pronation affect running?
Pronation describes the roll of the foot from “initial impact” (at the outer heal of the foot) to “toe-off” at the front of the foot.
How Much Time to “Get in Shape”?
For distance running there are three main factors that determine racing performance (or fitness): Oxygen transport (VO2max), Lactate Threshold (LT) and Running Economy (RE). The figures below, illustrate how training/de-training affects each of these factors over time:
Posted in Running
The “Impact” of Running
Have you ever wondered why your calves are sore after a 5k but your hamstrings are sore after a marathon? The reason is your calves bear more of your weight as you run shorter/faster and your quadriceps bear more of … Continue reading
Comments Off on The “Impact” of Running
Posted in Running
The Science of Drafting
Recently, while running a workout on a windy track, I started wondering about the science of air-resistance and drafting. More specifically, I wondered what difference was between 10 mph tail-wind and the 10mph head-wind I encountered on opposite sides of the track … Continue reading
Comments Off on The Science of Drafting
Posted in Running