HFE stands for Haemochromatosis

Actually I should have posted this blog at least four months earlier...

Our bioinformatics assignment had a part on Haemochromatosis gene, its nomenclature HFE appeared bit confusing, so I had searched for its origin. Well, there was no specific answer but I got something.

The actual reason behind naming this gene as HFE is not known, but FE might be for Iron, which is closely associated with the pathogenesis of this disease. Some scientific literature states this gene as HLA-H, eventhough there is a wide debate in designating this gene in the group of HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen).

Reference:
Hemochromatosis gene nomenclature; American Journal of Medical Genetics 93:77 (2000)
www.genenames.org/activities/publications/PMID10861687.pdf

My 2nd Year Bioinfo Report

We have to write a report on Bioinformatics project each year.

Here goes my 2nd year bioinformatics report. (Course: GEB 207)

The Journey From Sequence to Structure.

The Job of A Teacher

It was in DJ's class and I was bit confused about Physical Map of chromosome. Even though she didn't ask... it came up in my mind and I wanted to use this term. Yet I restrained. I had logics behind my idea. But I knew she wouldn't accept unless I'm right. Of course she is right in saying that I'm wrong. But not before hearing my explanations.

What's the job of a teacher? Is it just going to the class and deliver a pre-written speech like our President? I don't think so. Teaching is an interacting profession where your students are more important than you yourself. The most important part of teaching is developing your student's the quality of being critical to something, some ideas, concepts and developments. It's not like you go to your students, ask a question and reply, "Oh .... You are at the same place as yesterday."

I hate this rubbish educational system.

Image Courtesy: www.nature.com

Meiosis: Who knows, me or DJ?

Net connection is awesome today.

I thought there was no DJ today, became surprised to see it was in the routine.

Today she discussed sex determination, chromosome, chromatin fibre, mitosis and meiosis. A question came in my mind when DJ was delivering her lecture. Why X and Y chromosome's are named so? I googled net and found the answer from Google books.

Q: Why X & Y chromosomes are named so?

Ans: A common misconception about X and Y chromosome is that they are named because of their shape. However, Hermann Henking named the X because it was mysterious, or exceptional in some way and that Nettie Stevens then simply continued the alphabetical sequence when she named the Y.

(Source: The X in Sex: How the X Chromosome Controls Our Lives By David. Bainbridge)

When DJ started mitosis and meiosis, I got confused whether she knows those terms or not?

Life starts through meiosis, after fusion of egg and sperm!!! I don't get any of this, especially when she is saying about Homo sapiens. (Her words are correct for haploid organisms who undergo meiosis when diploid zygote is formed.) I've to wait and see.

(Right click and open in new window or tab to view enlarged image)

Another confusion arose when she asked, "What is the difference between Chromatin fibre and Chromosome?" Different answers came from different corners. I think some of them were right, though weren't complete. Chromatin fibre is non-condensed string of nucleosome which divides and condenses before cell division. This condensed form of chromatin fibre is known as chromosome. (Appears H shape in typical karyotype). Anyway, DJ rejected them. Instead she accepted Maruf's lead (partially) which I found the least appropriate.

She also talked about Genetic Maps. I know there are three types of maps, but right now, I can't recollect.

DJ Siamese!!!

Toady DJ was taking class... she mentioned about Siamese Cat and related stuffs, the pigmentation pattern. One thing I found quite strange. She said, if we take a Siamese Cat to polar regions, it will turn into black completely! The logic was, since the temperature sensitive melanin producing enzyme (tyrosinase) will be functioning. I thought this was a rubbish idea.

Say we took a Siamese Cat to polar region (or incubated it in low temperature). If the mutant melanin producing enzyme had to function, the temperature of individual cells or tissues has to drop and more importantly the drop in temperature should sustain for a reasonable time (since melanin itself isn't mutant, rather one of melanin producing enzymes are mutant. You need time to synthesize melanin and make it express). This is quite unrealistic. In the extremities (or peripheral regions), the temperature is low. The reason being there is relatively low blood supply to exposed surface area ratio. High surface area is responsible for high heat loss rate, low blood supply amplifies the situation (Because blood is directly involved in temperature homeostasis). Theoretically in polar region, we may expect a Siamese Cat turn into completely black, but practically rapid temperature loss will lead to coma and eventually death long before you can see this bizarre hypothetical phenomenon.

Arguing with DJ has no point, those who know her personally will surely agree with me ;) .