h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hiya!

Oh my, that's a long and windy subject you've taken up there... Now, upon looking at it, I do think that it is a relevant one. See, most Researchers here seem to be of human origin, so maybe it might be considered valuable to have the full porky, so to speak.

Since I, sometimes in my murky past, have a degree in molecular biology, I probably should be able to add a few details (and even find some illustrations).

Should we have a go at it?

Best,
SG V

Sorry took so long to reply, but just managed to crawl out of my midwinter drunken stupor I would be glad to collaberate, I did biochemistry/microbiology at uni (actually managed to get a degree out of it, if this isn't an inditement of our education system I do not know what is but it was like '96 when I graduated so some help nudging the old grey cells would be most welcome
BCNU - Crescent

So how do you collaberate over the net?
BCNU - Crescent

A new one for me, too...

Let's see, it't won't be just now anyway since household chores are screaming at me so that I can't hear my own typing. Get right back to you tomorrowish...

I'm happy that I said tomorriw*ish*...

I'm currently terribly hung up finishing off things at my current job before I start a new one on Feb 1st - which will probably also be keeping me somewhat occupied...

But I haven't forgotten...

Cool, whenever you are ready I put some headings in, but nothing else of substance yet, my work is also keeping me busy who do they think they are? , however the heading made me realise that I/we should probably put up an entry on the cell and basic cell machinary, and then RNA and then.........arrrgghhhh its spiraling out of control. No, just DNA first and then see where it leads
BCNU - Crescent

You graduated in 96? Pah! Newbie! I graduated Biochemistry & Pharmacology back in '90 when Dolly wasn't even an imaginative glint in her parent/donor's telomeres. I've been working ever since in cell culture and molecular biology (with a tiny smattering of histology teaching thrown in). Most of my work over the last 7 years or so has been on Melanocytes and melanoma but that involves a good deal of cell biology so I could be of some help. I've also found some really nice links recently on cell division, apoptosis and stuff and have a reasonable knowledge of cell biology basics (ie I've still got all the text books ). In short I'd be glad to help where and when I can (can you explain negative supercoiling in text? I've never seen it done well yet , since you mentioned it in your current article on DNA I thought I'd bring that up). As to collaborating over the net, prolly either discussions on our own pages or via e-mail might be easiest, or had you already worked that problem out?

Deirved - hello You are in a much better position than me, actually still being in the field (I now work with computers I would be glad of the help (SG V is on holiday at the mo', but he is going to pitch in too, when he returns

As for the technical details - like explaining supercoiling - I have talked with Peta and TPTB and if we submit a sketch of the kind of thing we want, then the inhouse art team will do it professionally and in the style of the Guide Which is excellent for the Science Faculty of The Univeristy of Life

As for how to collaberate either of those ideas sounds fine, though I think I prefer the discussion on our own pages - I get enough emails at work as it is and only irregularly download my home mailbox...........

You didn't say if you just jumped here from the search engine, or through h2g2 Uni, but no matter, what do you think of the project outline, and work so far (slow as it is going - my cannabis article is nearing completion, so everything else is getting second place Please let me know Until later....

BCNU - Crescent

Hee. I have lots of diagrams in textbooks that could be stolen and reworked in H2G2 style, if I can get to a scanner in the dept sometime. In the meantime, you might find some inspiration at this site:-

http://www.lib.uchicago.edu/hw/cellbio/cell.html

The cell cycle tutorials are cool, and the stuff is really explained fairly straight forwardly so it might make a good jump off point for DNA replication or the later cell division article. If there's anything specific you need just give me a shout and I'll try to get on it. Having just ploughed through every ending I could find to the BladeRunner game I suddenly find myself at a relatively loose end, especially with my boss going on holiday for three weeks as of next Tuesday. You may never have a more opportune moment to delegate responsibility.

TTFN D.

Back from me holidays -- and I happily notice that things are happening...

(Oh, MySpace still says that bit about the holiday which is partly to confuse anybody, partly due to the fact that the everyday text for it is on my office harddisk -- and I'm not there until the coming Monday)

Meanwhile, I have been researching the HUGO thing -- and, a.o., actually now have permission, in writing, to link directly to their pics if there's anything handy there...! Whaddoyousay?

And, I have started an analog outline (you know, on this paper thing) and will start filling in stuff as soon as I've passed that by my favourite reviewer.

BTW, that's my wife -- she's a Ph.D. in Genetics while I hold a mere Masters... but that leads me to...

Graduated in '90 --- tsk, tsk, tsk. Now, back in the good old days, there was graduations. OK, we're talking '88 so it's just 2 more years...

Be (kinda) right back - best regards,

SG V

Oh, forgot the HUGO link, in case you want to take a peak:
http://www.ornl.gov/hgmis

All the best,

SG V

Things seem to have gone quiet again. Is there anything happening or anything I can make a stab at or is everyone too engrossed in Big Brother to do anything useful with their lives?

My apologies Deirved, work was getting hectic, and I had a batch of Entries to get subbed ASAP. If you are feeling up for it, go to http://www.h2g2.com/A354313, this is the main project page. If you feel you can, and want to, cover any of the proposed pages just take it and run with it You know the stuff a lot better than I do, and if I could have made a fair job of any of them, you should be able to make an excellent one Tell me which you are doing, and the page number of it, and I will put a link from the Project page to it What can I say, except - thank you
BCNU - Crescent

Okay, I've decided to be stupid and plump for RNA on the list. I've made a quick stab at starting it. Any comments? Too dry and jargony? I'll need to dig out some diagrams for putting into H2G2 style which ought to make bits of it clearer. Oh yeah it's at
A421192 Ribonucleic Acid or RNA

It is good, more than what I have done in the past six months I could follow it more or less easily, and once we get the pictures sorted it shouldn't be a bother for any one Thank you, great work Hopefully this should inspire me to get off my arse Well, until later.....
BCNU - Crescent

I do feel inspired seeing that somebody kicks a bit of life into this -- well done!

However, as I am just now in Queenstown, NZ and not due home until I've been through Sydney, Delhi & Bombay which will take some 1 1/2 weeks -- I'm afraid that my stuff will wait for (yet another) while...

Have a good time,

SG V

Anyone mind if I have a bash at any of the topics at hand? I don't want to tread on any toes.

From my point of view, take any you fancy, I will just be plodding through this one, but if want this one go ahead You could probably do a better job than me anyhoo Hope this helps, and until later....
BCNU - Crescent

What about some of the topics in the existing articles which have yet to be covered? Some of them only have headings and nothing else. I think I would be better at writing stuff about molecular biology rather than the cellular physiology.

Go for it Whatever you think you are best at, take it
BCNU - Crescent