Progress Report

After a person has been reading Damon Runyon stories for a certain amount of time, it becomes more than somewhat difficult for that person to hold up his end of a normal conversation. Fortunately, I am no stranger to the hairy eyeball, and in fact, am considered something of an authority on the subject in certain circles.

I am also in the grip of a cold, and we had the first snow of the season today. Yet, somehow, today was the most productive day in two weeks. Go figure.

That's Two!

Molecular Microbiology (2008) Vol. 70 Issue 4, pp. 824-836

Another one or two and they'll let me graduate!

Why I'm Not A Biochemist

So, it turns out that the protein I'm trying to purify is only soluble when I overexpress it in a one liter culture, but completely insoluble when I grow the cells in any larger volume. This makes no sense. Stupid protein.

You need to realize this is also an enzyme which (once I purify the darn thing) is only active anaerobically, at temperatures above 70°C, with 0.5M phosphate, in the dark.

Oh yes, I'm certainly looking forward to the next few months. Yes I am.