Yup! I have disappeared from the blogosphere world for good 2 weeks. I did have a good excuse though :P
Anyway, I started working at my new lab now which is super duper exciting! The research is completely mind blowing. I can't really post all the details on the internet but the thing is that our cells are completely outnumbered by bacteria. Seriously, there are 10 times more bacteria cells within our body then our own. These bacteria can produce small molecules through this complicated non-ribosomal peptide/ polyketide synthesis pathway which allows for formation of some kick ass molecules. Most of these are antibiotics, antifungals, anti-cancer agents, and things of that jazz. The specific molecule I'm working with actually decreases plaque formation in our arteries and has already been synthesized (after slightly tweaking the structure) and used in drug trials. Pretty wicked ha?
The one thing that scares the <beep> out of me is the amount of work needed in the lab. Many people work overnight and I feel like a complete sucker being there 10-12 hours a day 0.0 They are so hard core! So after all those hours plus a 2.5 hour commute (1 hour of which is walking thank goodness) I've had like no time to make up recipes. :(
Didn't really have a recipe for this post but after catching up on some blog reading I was inspired to do a 5 Things About Me by Vicky from Sweet and Healthy Living (I love this girl's posts!)
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Growing Organs
Coolest thing EVA! You must watch this!!!
Ok well the video is 45 minutes long so watch it if you have time. So I'll give you a bit of a synopsis.
Scientists have developed a new method to grow organs. Ok sure, we've been growing skin for quite a while now but what about a heart? a lung? a kidney? The problem with transplantation of these organs is that the recipient's body can recognize that organ as a foreign object and destroy it. Gee... that defeats the purpose of the transplant. Sure the patient can go on immunosuppressants but then they'll get sick more often :( Well now there's a new solution ^^
Ok well the video is 45 minutes long so watch it if you have time. So I'll give you a bit of a synopsis.
Scientists have developed a new method to grow organs. Ok sure, we've been growing skin for quite a while now but what about a heart? a lung? a kidney? The problem with transplantation of these organs is that the recipient's body can recognize that organ as a foreign object and destroy it. Gee... that defeats the purpose of the transplant. Sure the patient can go on immunosuppressants but then they'll get sick more often :( Well now there's a new solution ^^
Thursday, July 12, 2012
Versailles
One of the coolest things I've seen while in France was definitely the Palace of Versailles. It served as a home for Louis XV-XVI so that's around 1722-1788. In 1789, the French Revolution began and Louis XVI had to relocate to the Palace of Tuileries Palace in Paris. Afterwards it didn't have much of a purpose and became a museum.
Let me tell you, it was absolutely gorgeous! As we approached it, the golden fence caught my attention. The amount of detail in this fence is amazing. Can you imagine being a noble person arriving in the carriage by these gates.WoW :O
Let me tell you, it was absolutely gorgeous! As we approached it, the golden fence caught my attention. The amount of detail in this fence is amazing. Can you imagine being a noble person arriving in the carriage by these gates.WoW :O
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
Rosehip Chia Pudding
Paris... Love... Roses... Thorns... Sweet... Sour... Rosehip Chia Pudding???
After a rose blooms it leaves a fruit, aka Vitamin C filled bombs called rosehip. I guess love is good for the immune system :P
After a rose blooms it leaves a fruit, aka Vitamin C filled bombs called rosehip. I guess love is good for the immune system :P
Sunday, July 8, 2012
France and Food :D
Apart from eating 2 croissants + piece of baguette + jam and butter for breakfast (not sure how I managed not to put on weight during this trip), my tour guide organized a four course dinner for us with unlimited wine! Oh yes... there was wine... rosé wine, red wine, and white wine!
To start off we had a small glass of rosé wine with some roasted peanuts (I've seen people drinking Sangria with peanuts in Spain... maybe it's a European thing). We also had some entertainment :D There were these two french man playing on an accordion and a violin, taking goofy pictures with us, tapping us on the shoulders and making us dance! Overall, lots of fun!
To start off we had a small glass of rosé wine with some roasted peanuts (I've seen people drinking Sangria with peanuts in Spain... maybe it's a European thing). We also had some entertainment :D There were these two french man playing on an accordion and a violin, taking goofy pictures with us, tapping us on the shoulders and making us dance! Overall, lots of fun!
Thursday, July 5, 2012
In the city of love
Goodbye London... Bonjour Parrri!
(The french don't really the last letters of their words, so the s in Paris is silent)
The city of Art!
(The french don't really the last letters of their words, so the s in Paris is silent)
The city of Art!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Faux-Thai Noodles
Happy B-Lated Canada Day!!! :D
I've pretty much have lived here for half of my life :O It's a nice country based on the very few cities I've actually seen here. For the long weekend, me and my fam went down to Niagara Falls (so classic) and enjoyed the fire works. Still need to get the pics from my daddy to post up :P
Gee I feel like my blog has been overcome by my travelling stories so I wanted to take a break from that and post a random recipe. I made this dish before for my friends and they loved it, so this time I decided to cook it up for my parents. It's super quick and effortless, perfect for any busy night. It's not exactly thai food but is an amazing replacement for those take out Thai dishes ;)
Faux-Thai Noodles
I've pretty much have lived here for half of my life :O It's a nice country based on the very few cities I've actually seen here. For the long weekend, me and my fam went down to Niagara Falls (so classic) and enjoyed the fire works. Still need to get the pics from my daddy to post up :P
Gee I feel like my blog has been overcome by my travelling stories so I wanted to take a break from that and post a random recipe. I made this dish before for my friends and they loved it, so this time I decided to cook it up for my parents. It's super quick and effortless, perfect for any busy night. It's not exactly thai food but is an amazing replacement for those take out Thai dishes ;)
Faux-Thai Noodles
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