Interests

Blackholes, the origin of the universe and a "theory of everything" and how the universe will end is really nice to have a quick chat about over a coffee! I've only just heard of the superstring theory, as before I was just content with the standard model: strong and weak nuclear forces and the electromagnetic forces. But this doesn't incorporate gravity; whereas - supposedly - the superstring theory does.

As far as biochemistry goes I'm interested in the production of energy in the cell by a process called oxidative phosphorylation. This is where an electron moves across four protein complexes in the mitochondrial membrane and releases energy for the proteins to pump protons across the membrane. This causes an energetically favourable diffusion gradient. These then diffuse through an enzyme called the F₁F₀ ATPase or ATP synthase, and regenerates ATP (Adenosine TriPhosphate) in the body.

In pharmacology I find G-protein coupled receptors (GPCR's) rather interesting. G-proteins are proteins in the cells membrane that comprise of three subunits: a , b and g. This the system by which the hormones glucagon and adrenaline work. Insulin works by a different system, the much slower, and less understood, Tyrosine kinase receptor, a kind of opposite to the GPCR. It phosphorylates tyrosine residues on the receptor which leads a large cascade of events and ultimately a cellular response.