Assignments Catastrophe!!!

“Many people say that we bear loveless lives”

Uncontrollably, I drew up a small smile on my face as I read this line. May be I’ve had enough of these stereotype expression on nerds or book-lover or science students alike, but everytime each of them has never failed to amuse me.

Still, I felt that I am not nerds enough though some situations had proven me right. For example, I found out my ability of scaring away my male counterparts have actually been improving since my primary school, simply because my topics of discussion usually is boring and dull enough to make them stop finding excuse to talk to me. Considerably, I don’t have to mention my inseparable intimacy with my books that so often have irritated so many people.

Well, that is just a small reflection. Do I consider myself a nerd? So far I found it reassuring. =)

Okay, isn't this blog supposed to tell our daily routines as biotechnology students? These are our must-be-completed tasks by the end of 14th week.

1. Lab reports

Enzymology - Lab 4
Basic Genetic Engineering - Lab 1,2 and Lab 5,6,7
Protein Biotechnology - Protein purification : a mini thesis

2. Presentation

Halal Haram in Food Ingredients
Biotechnology Law and Ethics

3. Term paper

Enzymology
Philosophy of Science
Protein Biotechnology

So, happy living a so-called science student's life!

Bioinformatics: As a Tool for Da'wah.

We exist, but do we matter?

A simple question, but therein lays big responsibility upon our shoulders. The question was raised by Dr. Azizan Baharudin, during a seminar I attended last week. Immediately as she speaks, I was utterly inspired.

Dr Azizan mentioned different thesis done on relationship of science and religion, and concluded that this world behave on contingency principle, which I have to dig up some more if I were to write about it here. But that’s not my main point. There were some other points that struck my head, as per below:

1. Limitation of scientific method.

Dr Azizan was saying that, principally, methodology of science is limited. To some extent, as the scientists were studying and researching about science of chemistry, biology and physics, they will find the answer to the answers and ultimately, they will reach the boundaries for respective field they are in. Nowadays, chemistry and physics are at their peaks, and biology yet promises the most progress. This, in my opinion due to the nature of biology itself; biology studies life, and life is in fact, everywhere. So long as all of us and every single life around us are not dead, there is biology to be studied. Thus, in light of my chosen field, I am indeed should have no regret for taking this path!

2. The ninth challenge

Towards achieving Vision 2020, the ninth challenge aims Malaysian to produce, to create, to invent science. Not to use science only, anymore, as Dr Azizan puts it, “to create science which is ours”. Some people say that Vision 2020 is not more than rubbish, while some others highly regard it as a perfect framework of achievement. To me, there’s always moderation. Vision 2020 might have driven many successful Malaysian scientists to international level, which at the same time brought Muslim label to the world. So we simply cannot ignore those facts.

I think what we lack is exposure. I read one article about how Malaysia is short of product of our own, scientists and professionals of our own. But we are actually not. That’s the lesson I grasped from the seminar, I got the chance to know so many knowledgeable people. And surprisingly, most of them are marvellously excellent at both of their field and Islamic understanding. Meanwhile, some others that are not were so openly and willingly learning and discussing from each other during the paper presentation. I must say, I was in fact mesmerized by ‘the knowledge atmosphere’ at the time.

Other factors might include, as Sis Aizi says, we failed to express ourselves as successful Muslim to the global world by lack of communication skills, confidence and self-esteem. Well, that sounds very much like me.

3. Wisdom

Science of the heart, the capacity to see, to feel and to act as if future depends on you and it does.

Commensalism or Parasitic?

I was just watching Animal Planet just now. It was about how certain animals which in its natural life would actually be the hunter and the hunted, but due some kinda twisted fate, their not enemies. If this is too confusing, an example would be cat and dog, which are normally enemies. So, this show was about weird partners.

The first one was about snake and owl. The snake which is not eaten is taken back to the nest, and according to them the chicks are healthier. Then, it was aphids and ants. Then it was sloths and sloth moths. Since the sloth moves super-slow, algae grows on its fur. So, there's a whole ecosystem on the sloth. The sloth moth feeds on the sloth's dung.

Then, there's the famous medicinal leech and human. This is widely used. Then, there was this particular parasite which originates from the heron's dung. When the heron's dung falls into the water, the parasites are released and it infects the tadpoles in the water. This causes mutation: the frogs has extra limbs and looks horrible. Like frogs aren't gross on its own.... This mutation causes the frogs slow mobility, so it can't escape the heron and it becomes an easy prey for the heron.

The best was probably about dolphin and human. Somewhere in the world (can't remember the location), doplhins help the fishermen to catch fish. What the doplhins do is that it 'chases' fishes towards the fishermen. The fishermen are waiting with their nets. Then, the doplhins does this particular flip which acts as a signal to the fishermen to cast their nets. It was really cool!

Oh yeah, then there was this bird which hepls honey badger to find honey. At the same time, it also helps human to find the bee hives. As a reward, the humans leave a bit of honeycomb for the bird.

The commentator was saying that some of it was a win-win situation, where some have a win-lose situation. Guess that's the way nature is.

*I can't remember most of the animal's name (spesies, whatever). Sorry about that.... For more info, watch Animal Planet. =D

of being a newlywed.......'s sister

i have not much chance to laze about, yet. my effort to finish enzymology lab report is still in vain, and i don't think i would be able to finish it this holiday. *sigh*

plus, i'm trying to live here, adjusting to the new environment. it's kind of weird, i was so used to being an only 'female lead' in my siblings, but now seeing another sister in the house (apart from my mother of course), it's a bit awkward. but i'll manage just fine, in sya Allah.

till then, i don't have any intellectual ideas to write here. just. filling. up. the. spaces. aight, arshana? ;)

Muhibbah

Gong Xi Fa Chai and Happy Muharram to all!

I have to agree with Yati. This seems like a personal chat room, with only the two of us. *sigh* Where's everyone else?

'Kenduri' Chaos!!!

Actually am thinking of answering Arshana's remark on the comment page, but since there aren't yet many of us writing here, I think I'll just fill up the spaces. :D

Holiday... hm, it's not holiday at all!!! If Arshana puts it in perspective of loads of reports and assignments to be done, I put it in perspective of being a host for a 'kenduri kahwin'. And friends, let me tell you this once, it's never a good thing being an only daughter in a family. An added complication, if you have a bunch of hopeless brothers. *Sigh*

Ok, it's 12.40 pm now, the guests are coming and I haven't had my bath yet (Ops!). Will continue writing laayyterr.

5-days break!

Yay! And all of us got 2 reports to do, Protein Biotechnology (which we still don't know the format) and Enzymology........

Ini utk Yati:

in·tel·lec·tu·al
adj.
1. a. Of or relating to the intellect.
b. Rational rather than emotional.
2. Appealing to or engaging the intellect: an intellectual book; an intellectual problem.
3. a. Having or showing intellect, especially to a high degree. See Synonyms at intelligent.
b. Given to activities or pursuits that require exercise of the intellect.n.

n.
An intellectual person.

*Taken from dictionary.com

Best la cuti 5 hari ni. Just like what that old couple was saying in the LRT, right Yati. W/pun cuti, tak rasa pun mcm cuti.

Can this get any worse....

*Sigh*

The Protein Biotechnology mid term paper sucked terriblly. :(

Too bad were only using a small % of our brain. Imagine if we used the whole brain. All of us would be a genius then. ^_^

p/s: Sorry Yati, no ideas to write about anything 'intellectual'.......

FLAVONOIDS

Chemical structure

nThe flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds possessing 15 carbon atoms; two benzene rings joined by a linear three carbon chain.
nThe skeleton below, can be represented as the
nC6 - C3 - C6 system.

nFlavonoids constitute one of the most characteristic classes of compounds in higher plants.
nMany flavonoids are easily recognised as flower pigments in most angiosperm families (flowering plants).
nHowever, their occurence is not restricted to flowers but include all parts of the plant.

nThe chemical structure of flavonoids are based on a C15 skeleton with a CHROMANE ring bearing a second aromatic ring B in position 2, 3 or 4.

nIn a few cases, the six-membered heterocyclic ring C occurs in an isomeric open form or is replaced by a five - membered ring.


Flavonoids

nAnthocyanidins (e.g., cyanidin, pelargonidin)
nCatechins or flavanols (e.g., epicatechin, gallocatechin)
nFlavones (e.g., apigenin, luteolin) see Sytrinol for healthy cholesterol
nFlavonols (e.g., kaempferol, myricetin, quercetine) Quercetin
nFlavanones (e.g., hesperidin, naringenin)
nIsoflavones (e.g., genistein, daidzein) Genistein and Daidzen


Sources of Flavonoids

nFlavonoids are a class of water-soluble pigments and are found in a wide variety of plant products such as fruit, vegetables, herbs, nuts, and tea...including chocolate.
nThere are more than 4,000 flavonoid compounds; flavonoids are under a subgroup of a large class called polyphenols.


Examples of Flavonoids sources


Anthocyanidins
eg. cyanidin and delphinidin
- derived from berries, grapes and fruit skins


Flavones
eg. apigenin and luteolin
- derived from herbs and tea


Flavanones
eg. hesperetin and naringenin
- derived from citrus


Flavonols
eg. myricetin and quercetin
- derived from fruits; apples, onions and botanicals


Isoflavones
eg. genistein and diadzein
- derived from soy product



nQuercetine
- found in onions and apples
- also serves as a building block for other flavonoids. Rutin
and hesperidin are the most active of the so-called citrus or
flavonoids, which, as the name suggests, are present in
oranges, grapefruits, tangerines, and other citrus fruits.
nOther flavonoids include PCOs (or procyanidolic oligomers: also called proanthocyanidins)
- anthocyanosides, polyphenols, and genistein
- PCOs are plentiful in pine bark and grape seed extracts
(pine bark extracts are available as pycnogenol) and in red
wine.
Anthocyanosides are found in the herb bilberry, purple cabbage
and grapes


Green tea is the primary source of polyphenols, especially
EGCG (epigallocatechin-gallate), which experts believe is
possibly the most effective cancer-fighting compound yet
discovered. Genistein, found in soy products, has
antioxidant properties and can also mimic the effects of
estrogen.
Without question, some of the best research on flavonoids
has been conducted by Japanese scientists investigating
their national beverage: green tea. Tea is rich in a variety of
gallate compounds, but the most active antioxidant among
them appears to be epigallocatechin gallate. It accounts for
about 30 percent of the flavonoids in green tea.


Chocolate
nThere have been many studies linking cocoa with health benefits. The darker chocolate with the most concentrated cocoa will of course be the most beneficial.
nFlavonoids and the subgroup called catechins or flavanols are found in dark chocolate at four times the amount that is found in green tea. Antioxidants block the free radicals that are breakdown normal cell reproduction.


Before you grab a chocolate candy bar or slice of chocolate
cake, let’s look at some characters of chocolate
over others:
nWhen cocoa is processed into your favorite chocolate products, it goes through several steps to reduce its naturally pungent taste. Flavonoids (polyphenols) provide this pungent taste. The more chocolate is processed (such as fermentation, alkalizing, roasting), the more flavonoids are lost.
nUntil now, dark chocolate appears to retain the highest level of flavonoids. So your best bet is to choose dark chocolate over milk chocolate.
nSome chocolate manufacturers are studying ways to retain the highest level of flavonoids while still providing acceptable taste. Stay tuned for more information in this area.

assalammualaikum...my friends...

well actually i like to say syukran for inviting me to join this blog. Interesting cause at least i already know a perfect "port" to release tension,exchange info etc.
last not least good luck for the "disaster" paper this coming friday...study smart n hard huh...

Another template

For a few technical reason, I had to change the template (Again!). Hehe. I'm thinking of getting this blog organized, but as soon as I get myself organized first (And that would be by the end of this semester, huh~). For the time being, friends, keep writing!