The study of the molecular processes of the nucleus and cell function.
24
votes
4answers
320 views
Why are amino acids in biology homochiral?
Why are nearly all amino acids in organisms left-handed (exception is glycine which has no isomer) when abiotic samples typical have an even mix of left- and right-handed molecules?
14
votes
2answers
619 views
How and where, in the human brain, are memories stored?
Background
I am a computer programmer who is fascinated by artificial intelligence and artificial neural networks, and I am becoming more curious about how biological neural networks work.
Context ...
12
votes
1answer
167 views
What is the prehistory of amino acids in cells?
As a followup to Why 20 amino acids instead of 64? and What is the smallest number of amino acids required for life?, I am trying to understand the prehistory of amino acids in cells.
All living ...
15
votes
2answers
390 views
How long can I store extracted RNA?
If I extract RNA from a (leaf tissue) sample using a one-step phenol:chloroform extraction, how long can those samples be stored at -80°C? And how many times can I defrost and refreeze them before ...
9
votes
1answer
609 views
How does translational coupling work in prokaryotes?
Today I heard about a phenomenon called "translational coupling", where the translation of one protein influences the translation of another protein. The messenger RNA levels don't seem influenced. ...
4
votes
1answer
82 views
Can forensic DNA analysis be used to generate a visual approximation of a suspect?
In light of the current US supreme court case, I'm curious if enough information can be teased out of a DNA sample to get a "reasonable" approximation of the suspect (never mind the legality). I ...
