Standardization of production and purification of Manduca hemolymph JHBP (Abstract)

The abstract of my research project for applying the Hilldale award (my project hasn't have a result and conclusion). Many students have attempted on this project and didn't work out a desirable yield of rJHBP. If my future work is anything useful, the results will contribute to the scientific community. It's kind of hard to believe I'm doing it.

The hemolymph juvenile hormone binding protein (hJHBP) is a specific Lepidopteran protein that binds and transports juvenile hormone (JH). JH plays a number of crucial roles in the regulation of insect development and reproduction. This project will employ a transformed E. coli cell line to express recombinant JHBP (rJHBP). Immunological analysis, cell preparation, and protein purification will be explored to produce and purify rJHBP of optimal quantity and quality. Binding studies will confirm the functionality of rJHBP. The results will provide a stable supply of JHBP for future studies on the binding and target cell docking mechanisms and contribute to increasing our knowledge of insect physiology and pest control.

History Professor

Just thought of how long I haven't been doodling in class. My history of science professor.

Crazy Start

It's the second week of school. I already have homework piled up and a bunch of books to read. Isn't that crazy? I slept too less last night, spent the free period between classes to read The Origin of Species, got back home and insisted not to sleep until midnight.

I'm happy with the history of science and philosophy biology classes I chose. Although they require more readings than straight science classes, the content is interesting and the instructors are knowledgeable and friendly. I've got an official reason to read The Origin of Species.

I haven't got exercise so I'm stiff, but I'm so tired that I don't feel anything. I want ice-cream and going to sleep. A paper is due after tomorrow. At least I have ice-cream now.

(Surprisingly, it has been raining heavily at night in Madison in the past two days. The snow has melted because of the rain.)