Here is the worst science word I have seen in a long time:
glycosylphosphatidylinositol
Perhaps there will be a prize to the first person who correctly pronounces this to me, either in person or by voicemail...
Showing posts with label biology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label biology. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Bit O' Biology
As I was studying tonight, I learned something interesting. OK, please don't leave just yet, I promise this will be good.
In everything from fruit flies to humans there is a biochemical pathway called the Hedgehog pathway. It is a pretty important pathway that helps regulate stem cells and tissue growth. There are several genes that are a part of this pathway, the most famous of which (and the most common one found in mammals) is called,
Yup, it's named for the video game character. And it also has something to do with hair growth (when the pathway is stimulated in the skin). This isn't the only time that a video game has provided a gene name. This one didn't turn out so well.
In everything from fruit flies to humans there is a biochemical pathway called the Hedgehog pathway. It is a pretty important pathway that helps regulate stem cells and tissue growth. There are several genes that are a part of this pathway, the most famous of which (and the most common one found in mammals) is called,
Sonic Hedgehog!
Yup, it's named for the video game character. And it also has something to do with hair growth (when the pathway is stimulated in the skin). This isn't the only time that a video game has provided a gene name. This one didn't turn out so well.
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