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Introductory literature for synthetic / systems biology

I am a computer engineer (MSc in Computer Engineering) who's looking to switch into the field of synthetic / systems biology. I have a comprehensive layman's understanding of evolution, genetics, transcription, etc, but my academic studies have been…
uvesten
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Modularity of transcription factors

I attended a seminar about neurogenesis that presented results for PAX6 as an important TF that contains 3 domains with very distinct patterns of downstream expression. The speaker ended up saying that PAX6 can be considered as 3 TFs in one protein,…
719016
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What causes feeling of feet falling asleep to be delayed?

This answer explains the sensation of extremities "falling asleep" as a result of sustained pressure on a nerve. The answer links to an external web page that says that the feeling "quickly goes away once the pressure is relieved." In my…
Daniel
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What is the difference between tonic and phasic firing?

I am reading about dopamine, and I have realized that dopaminergic neurons can fire phasically or tonically. What is the difference between these two modes of firing?
egFace
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Does one parent transmit more DNA to the offspring than the other one?

Does one parent transmit more DNA to the offspring than the other one? Or do both parents always transmit the same amount of genetic material to their offspring? In other words, can a baby be provided with a gene from the mother without an "opposite…
sarah
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Is it possible for any animals today to have more than one brain?

Is it possible for any organisms in the animal kingdom to have more than one brain?
Gabriel Fair
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Are brain cells replaced over time?

You know how your cells die all the time and new ones are made to replace them, so you practically have a new body every maybe 5 years? Many people say you become a completely different person every several years, but what about neural cells, do…
zoran404
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Evolutionary reasons why you cannot tickle yourself but you can masturbate

There are obviously good reasons that explain why you cannot tickle yourself (see e.g. here). This got me thinking why it is possible to masturbate... Wouldn't it make more sense to not be able to do that so that you are more inclined to have real…
vonjd
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Does muscle get bigger by increase in size of individual cells or increase in number?

Somewhere in the back of my mind, I have the claim that a muscle never increases its amount of cells but, if the muscle gets bigger, it's simply because individual cells get bigger. The book Anatomy Trains on page 36 cites "Changes in sarcomere…
Christian
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How do diving marine mammals avoid decompression sickness?

How do marine mammals, whose very survival depends on regular diving, manage to avoid decompression sickness or "the bends?" Do they, indeed, avoid it?
souvik bhattacharya
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When writing about past research should I use the species name they employed or the modern version?

I am currently writing a literature review in which I am talking about the old research on the subject. When this research was carried out the species I'm talking about were classed under a different genus (specifically, it used to be called Vibrio…
Jack Aidley
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How long does the Ebola virus remain infectious on contaminated items or surfaces?

I'm sure there will be variation depending on what the contaminated item or surface is made of - linens, I could imagine, would remain dangerous for longer than a door-knob. But if the items are not decontaminated in some way, how long can the virus…
That Idiot
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How Does Green Tea Increase Metabolic Rate?

According to the article "Green Tea Supplementation Affects Body Weight, Lipids, and Lipid Peroxidation in Obese Subjects with Metabolic Syndrome", Green tea increases metabolism and fat loss: Green tea beverage consumption (4 cups/d) or extract…
Dale
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Number of beneficial mutations cataloged?

I can see from Wikipedia that there are possibly thousands of harmful mutations that have been cataloged and linked to disease. There are also unnumbered neutral mutations. But, does anyone know how many "beneficial" mutations have been cataloged in…
John
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Identification of small fuzzy flying insect (pic)

These critters were flying around the neighborhood on an autumn evening in Seattle, WA, USA. Their most notable feature was the small amount fuzz on them. They were quite slow in their flight compared to similar-sized fruit flies. Any ideas? Here…
BMS
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