Kudzai Gozho

I found this article interesting in relation to the #Bs1005 Genetics module. Three groups of mutations which cause acute myeloid leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, have been identified by scientists.From the article in nature genetics, it is really interesting how scientist go about discovering new genes and linking them to a particular disorder. It enlightened me on the different mutations that can occur and I realised that a small change in the DNA sequence can have a drastic effect on the on individuals. - Kudzai Gozho

This week has gone by really quickly but I must say, I have been enjoying myself. It seems a little more relaxed which relieves me to do more work. I am really looking forward to our lectures on physiology and I must say, the lecturers that we have had so far are really good. It is quite exciting to learn about how action potentials generate the muscle contractions. Due to the relaxing timetable, I have more time to do personal study and reinforce my knowledge. I cannot believe the second semester is almost over, wow before you knoow it we will be graduating. - Kudzai Gozho

I found this article interesting in relation to the #BS1006 microbiology module in relation to the pathogenesis of fungi. The idea that the Cryptococcus neoformans fungi species is generally considered to be an opportunistic fungal pathogen because of its tendency to infect immunocompromised individuals, particularly those infected with HIV. However, this view has been challenged by the recent discovery of specialized interactions between the fungus and its mammalian hosts, and by the emergence of the related species Cryptococcus gattii as a primary pathogen of immunocompetent populations. This article highlights the features of cryptococcal pathogens that reveal their adaptation to the mammalian environment.These features include the remarkably sophisticated interactions with phagocytic cells to promote intracellular survival, dissemination to the central nervous system and escape, but also surprising morphological and genomic adaptations such as the formation of polyploid giant... - Kudzai Gozho

This week has been a really relaxing one and I have found myself with a lot of time to do more things. The modules we are undertaking seem to be more fun and interesting especially the respiration part of the physiology module. I hope to achieve more for the remainder of this week since I have time on my hands, I am going to embark on the #BS1011 assesment now and I hope all goes well. I am also lookig forward to the practicals that we have this week, its so relieving after working so hard for the first half of the term to have time to start catching up. - Kudzai Gozho

This week has been interesting, with many assignments done and handed in. I am relieved because i do not have as much work to do as before but still i need to catch up on some of my work. I am enjoying the new modules we have started so fars especially the environmental and evolutionary biology #BS1008, i am intrigued with animal behaviour and find it interesting to learn why organisms do the what they do. Hopefully, there will be more intersting lectures next week. - Kudzai Gozho

Researchers found that the gene, Sub1A, allowed to plants to survive by growing fresh shoots after a period of drought. Rice is the primary food for three billion people, and more than 25% the world's harvest is grown in areas that experience extreme weather conditions. These findings are quite intiguing in relation to the #BS1005 module which shows that genes can easily be manipulated which yiels great benefit to the food industry. - Kudzai Gozho from Bookmarklet

This week has been a very busy one for me, with a lot of assignments that were due especially on thursday but all I can say is that I am glad its over. I am still working on my microbiology essay which will probably take the rest of the weekend to do. I am looking forward to the coming modules that we will be taking especially the physiology ones. I am surprised by how this semester is going so quickly, before you know it, it will be exam season again, but I am glad I am meeting my targets so far, although I feel as though I am not to be doing as much work. My target is to keep up with all my work and not to fall too far behind. - Kudzai Gozho

This week has been quite tiring with the same usual routine. I am quite pleased that I have managed to get the hang of things. I have completed my #BS1011 tasks for the week which is a relief because that one thing I don't have to worry about for the rest of the week. On the other hand, next week is going to be quite challenging because i have a lot of essays to complete, reports to hand in to top it all off, we have a genes mock exam. I hape all goes well. - Kudzai Gozho

Variant CJD or vCJD is the human form of BSE - "mad cow" disease. It affects the brain and is believed to have passed from cattle to humans through infected food. There have been 170 confirmed deaths from vCJD in the UK, but a previous study suggested one in 4,000 Britons could be incubating the incurable degenerative disorder without symptoms. CJD causes the brain to develop a spongy texture known as spongiform encephalopathy. - Kudzai Gozho from Bookmarklet

This week has been a busy week with many reports and assignments due but I am proud of myself that I managed to complete everything on time. I need to have a look at this week's #BS1011 assessment. I hope it is not as difficult and confusing as last week, but I am glad I can always go to the Monday help sessions when I can't understand anything. On one note, I am really enjoying my microbiology practicals and I am find myself looking forward to them . - Kudzai Gozho

This article is intersting especially in relation to what we have been studying during the Genes lectures. Scientists are said to have discovered a possibe gene that is a cause of sleepwalking in adults and children. However, inheritance patterns of sleepwalking are poorly understood and there have been no prior reports of genes or chromosomal localization of genes responsible for this disorder. Its now thought that sleepwalking may be transmitted as an autosomal dominant trait with reduced penetrance. Furthermore, scientsts are said to think that this phenomenon is possibly caused two genes at two different loci. It is intersting to see what this research will discover. - Kudzai Gozho from Bookmarklet

This is the week that I have finally settled into my new routine for the new semester. The semester is, in my opnion a bit more intense than last semester in terms of work load. However, I seem to enjoy the modules more than those we did last semester. I find the #BS1005 Genetics lectures and practicals most enjoyable, the test crosses are fun to and I like especially the idea that we are encouraged to think by ourselves with guidance from our tutors and our demonstrators. I tend to understand things better when I think about them first. I am also looking forward to the microbiology course because that is the stream I am looking forward to taking next year. Hopefully all will be well. - Kudzai Gozho

I found this article particularly interesting with respect to the new #BS1005 Genes module we have just started. The article reveals that certain genes have a role in determining what kind of people a person is likely to get alond with. The idea that there are marker genes that make someone more likely to drink alcohol is fascinating. What was more even more intriguing is the fact that such a person is likely to be friends with someone who posseses the same marker gene. However, what is surprising, is the fact that some people with a gene related to openess and metabolism stay apart. This somewhat contradicts the other experiment in a way which proves that there is still a lot out there yet to be discovered. - Kudzai Gozho

It isn't. The first term is nearly over. The semester doesn't finish until after your exams in January :-) - Dr Alan Cann

I know..neither can i....guess time flies when ur having fun lol - Naison Chitiyo

I found this artile interesting in relation to the #BS1003 and #BS1012 modules as I had no idea that mitochondria originated from bacteria. It made me look into the origin of eukaryotic cells from prokaryotic cells which enhanced my understanding of that topic. It is also quite intriguing that some scientists are fighting for mitochondria to be classified as a separate taxonomic family. In my opnion, it would be quite confusing because how then can you have a species within a species? - Kudzai Gozho

congratulations - Khetase Chiwowa

Well done. - Esther Wambui

maybe its just you =) you can try accessing them from uni tomorrow - Khetase Chiwowa

I need to do mine today. :0 - Esther Wambui

I found his article very interesting because it show that there are so many ways that protein sythesis can go wrong. This is relevent to Prof Cundliffe's lectures on protein synthesis in #BS1015. I found it very intriguing how there are so many ways that mistranslation can occur. its also interesting to note that as a result of mistranslation, there are many consequences to protein structure and function. - Kudzai Gozho

very interesting article indeed =) thanks for posting it - Khetase Chiwowa

same here =) - Khetase Chiwowa

thanks guys!!! - Kudzai Gozho

I found this article interesting in relation to the part in #BS1015 where we talk about antibiotic resistant genes. The problem with resistant strains of antibiotics is a very challenginging one in medical science as incorrect use of the antibioic can encourage resistant strains to develop and be passed on from one bacteria to another. I for one am for the idea that antibiotic use should be carefully managedto ensure people use them correctly. - Kudzai Gozho

I found this article very interesting in relation to the new #BS1012 Animal and Plant Diversity module. It shows that up to this day there, is a lot of difficulty associated with classifying species as there are many different factors that need to be considered as well as synapomorphies at each taxon. It shows that there is a lot of information out there that is yet to be revealed about life and its origins. - Kudzai Gozho

I know it is wierd...and there seem to be a lot of "grey" areas when it comes to classifying organisims, especially protists and other relatively unstudied species.. And the discovery of new species i.e the squid worm thing will probably make it more complicated as well :\ but interesting article though - Naison Chitiyo

its a bit tricking - Nathan Gill

Needs time to get through it... - Persefoni Ioannou

i need to do that.... - Esther Wambui

This article is relevant to both the #BS1015 and #BS1003 because it is looking different molecular ways to solve ecological issues. It was particluarly captivating because I had not realised the impact that climate change has had on the growth of crops. Within the next fifty years, the global demand for cocoa would have exceeded demand hence with the help of geneticists, the problem can be solved. Who knew that sequencing the genome of cocoa will be the factor that will save the chocolate industry . - Kudzai Gozho

I know same here...and that quote at the end was really good though...and i know "bean" has really grown...like 5 extra cm lol - Naison Chitiyo