tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705471569279322484.post2513350076041151074..comments2023-08-25T19:28:22.200+08:00Comments on etcetera: a nobel dreametchttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13427342295118039486noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705471569279322484.post-7767744971832651402009-10-21T03:28:38.351+08:002009-10-21T03:28:38.351+08:00someone asked me, 'why do you say gfp is "...someone asked me, 'why do you say gfp is "stand alone"? how is it different from aequorin?'<br /><br />the simple answer is that, gfp is a fluorophore independent of requiring other molecules. aequorin, for example, needs a cofactor, calcium ions, to function, without which, its function is diminished by up to 90%. other molecules are even more dependent on helper molecules - instead of just ions, they might require other subunits, working in heteromeric configurations or polyhomomeric ones.<br /><br />as to why this is the case, well, you'd have to go into the (quantum) physics of things. i'm not a pro on the matter, but what i do understand is that the resonance created by singular structures is limited in the absence of these required molecules (and the exception is gfp-like molecules). this is comparable to how there is a complex electron resonance cloud (or probability function, whichever you prefer) in benzene, which is absent in methane, even though they are kind of related in that methane could be viewed as a 'subunit' for benzene.<br /><br />i hope this explanation isn't too complex, and answers your question!etchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13427342295118039486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705471569279322484.post-12844872849251567202009-10-19T21:03:05.748+08:002009-10-19T21:03:05.748+08:00i haven't forgotten anyone per se. just that i...i haven't forgotten anyone per se. just that i'm pretty sure that nobody has the attention span to weather textwall after textwall. having to write with limited characters forces upon me the choice of either writing superficially about all of them, or writing in a bit more detail on fewer subjects.<br /><br />also, i'd rather write something on topics i believe i have some authority and background knowledge on.<br /><br />but, if there's interest, i'm more than happy to write something on the physics and literature nobel prizes. the peace prize is a bit out of my scene, and the economics prize (which is actually not an original nobel prize. more on that another time) is hit or miss, for me.<br /><br />(see how i tend to write more than necessary, anyway)etchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13427342295118039486noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2705471569279322484.post-89519799917078742252009-10-19T20:38:04.816+08:002009-10-19T20:38:04.816+08:00'ssup E, aren't you forgetting something/s...'ssup E, aren't you forgetting something/someone? Surely you need to write about the other Nobel prizes too right?B H Obamanoreply@blogger.com