Foods of the Futre

This indeed, has different meaning: Humankind’s future, My family’s future, My professional life’s future.
The Advanced Foods and Materials Network, the AFMnet, organized a mini-conference this week. It was very enlightening and comforting. But it was comforting in a very selfish way. Indeed, unlike the BioQuebec conference or the pharmaceutical get-togethers where I feel the market is very much inaccessible, I always seem to fit in the food science related environment. Could this be an indication as to where I should gear my efforts?

I am doing a PhD in biotech applied to foods, aren’t I? After my bachelor’s degree in biochem, I felt that the world of pharmaceutical was cold and unreal but I was nonetheless working in it. I also sensed, ever since I started my grad studies in food that it was sort of the poor child of biotechnology. But the truth is, it is what I enjoy the most. It is applicable to our everyday life. Not that biochem is not, you do have to apply the concepts of biochem. For me, food is just a more down to earth field.

Most speakers at the AFMnet conference, coming for the industry or the government, had positions that were related to regulatory affairs. Again, very different from the pharmaceutical regulatory affairs but at the same time, more attractive to me. And more applicable to you or to my family.

The subjects, from omega-3 to labeling, were very interesting and the network as well. It might be worthwhile looking at what comes out of this new association and maybe invest some energy with them…for its future and mine!

http://www.afmnet.ca/

Impatience and the writing process

I learned a very valuable lesson taking this writing course, and I wish I will remember it: chew small pieces and start eating early!!!
I always felt I was very bad at writing because I found it so difficult, and thus had always something better to do than take my hair out trying to come up with the perfect sentence. I believed that I was somewhat lazy when it came to writing. In the case of long assignments, it was more like a feeling of inaptitude. Now, I don’t feel as impatient and I am confident to I will do good. Writing takes time…and corrections!
By approaching writing differently and accumulating as many notes as possible, I hope that the procrastination due to fear of the white pages will give way to some discipline. It is so much easier to get to work when you have something to start with!
Having been writing everyday for the last 3 months, and having learned the process of writing itself, I feel less anxious when I think about the many more months that are to come. A writing class was all the therapy I needed!

Perception and Reality

Busy, busy, time has been. I had the opportunity to participate in the 7th Capital Rendezvous of BioQuebec, a one day meeting on the different aspects of financing the biotechnology industry in a globalized market. I hoped to meet receptive people, whom would be willing to share their experience and give some insights as to how to proceed to get in the field. Most people were kind enough to take some time to tell want they did, and to suggest that I should do the same…

I guess this day confronted me to the goals I have, and the perceptions I have of the reality to attain these goals. But, is there one reality? Or did I just get a sense of other’s perceptions that are totally different from my own? The fact is that I did meet a very lovely lady who took the time to think about the different avenues that I could explore, without being affected by her own path. But of course, it would be naïve to think that her perceptions of what I was looking for were right on the target.

I remember now a very important lesson: trust yourself!!! It is a good idea to get a sense of the business, what type of people evolve in it and what are their reality…but remember that you are the one who decides last!!!
Next step: Meet with venture capitalists...
more on BioQuebec: https://secure.bioquebec.com/Alcyon.cgi?ACTION=Membre&72447

The perfect job

Although I haven’t officially started looking for a job, I do have a regular look at what is going on in the field of biotechnology. Yes! I intend to meet with people of different curricula to find out more in terms of what is available…but also, of what is possible…

The truth is, I know what I want in a job…but I don’t quite know where I can find it! After a Ph.D. in biotechnology, one usually finds himself looking for a post-doc experience. However, I know I do not want to do more bench work…but I would like to stay in the field. Is there a job that involves keeping up-to-date with the latest advancements and strong organization skills? That involves coordination of different project? Or management of a team? And that also gets you involved in the business aspect of the science? And perhaps a job that allows you to travel but that could involve some work for home?

When I asked, I sometimes got an answer that geared towards venture capital investment and finance…but I haven’t had the chance to actually meet someone that precisely evolves in that sphere…However I have found other job descriptions that could also involve similar tasks. Closing last May, Genome Quebec was offering a position in Research project management. The description fits exactly what I am looking for, a balance between science, administration and finance. But it also seemed to require a lot of experience…which brings forth another problem…How can I get valuable experience?

Hydroperoxides, how to find you?

Today, dedicated to the literature review on the different methods to quantify hydroperoxides, or more precisely, the activity of lipoxygenase (LOX). Many methods are available…funny how you start thinking that only the ones that you use are pertinent…Many others could be suitable…if only time to try them out was available!
Some methods are very easy and direct to use, such as the one at 234 nm but they require aqueous systems. Others call for the performance of extra enzymatic reactions before indirect measurement. Still more ask for expensive detectors or long and complicated experimental procedure to obtain the precious data.
From what I could read, spetrophotometic measurement of a color compound produced by the interaction of the products of the reaction and some reagents may prove the most suitable in terms of time required for analysis and sensitivity in organic solvent media. But again…many alternatives exist! Really, the task of writing a complete literature review on this subject is overwhelming…must one stop before satisfaction?!

it can be anything!!!

Why set up a research blog? To help me keep track on all the thoughts (hopefully of interest) that I could be having…on my research…and to keep writing!!! I was told that by writing daily, I would actually improve on it.
It would be interesting to target it on my career search and what I discover researching the different paths possible. As I am about a year and a half from finishing my Ph.D. in Biotech _ that is including the corrections and defense!_ and that I am now certain I do not want to spend more time in the lab…I will explore other possiblities!
Also, as I still have a lot of writing to do, expect to have some interruptions with biotech jargon!!!

Nanda and Yadav, 2003

From
Nanda, S. and Yadav, J.S. (2003) Lipoxygenase biocatalysis: a survey of asymmetric oxygenation. J. Molec. Cat B: Enzym. 26, 3-28.
Authors
Nanda is from the Department of Chemistry, Center for Biological NMR, at the Texas A&M University; Yadav is from the Organic Division of the IICT, India
Audience
This literature review was written specifically for enzymologists and biochemists that are studying lipoxygenase biocatalysis.
Topic
Review of the different substrates that can be utilized by lipoxygenase (LOX) and recent work. It is interested particularly at the bioconversion of different substrates. It covers the different substrates that have been used and has a specific section for novel substrates. It also includes some general consideration and was has been done in terms of facilitating this bioconversion using different strategies such as immobilization and non-conventional media.
Purpose
The last reviews published on the lipoxygenase enzyme dated from 1995 and concentrated on the soybean or plant isozymes. Since then, different groups (such as our group!) have work on LOX using other sources of enzymes and in different environments.
Rationale
As many groups are working in this field in general and it has changed a lot in recent years, it is interesting to get a review covering some specific aspects suh as substrate specificity of LOX.
Comment/Idea
Could help to contextualize a future review that could be produced on the subject. Something like the recent trends and developments in LOX biocatalysis would be a different angle to be taken. Or even more general like the use of immobilization and non-conventional media in the lipoxygenase pathway (which would also include hydroperoxide lyase).

Outline of the review:
Introduction
Fatty acids as lipoxygenase substrates
Linoleic acid
Linolenic acid
Arachidonic acid
Novel substrates and products of lipoxygenase catalysis
Synthetic use of lipoxygenase
Designed substrate for lipoxygenase catalysisRegiochemical consideration
Role of hydrophobicity
Role of pH
Effect of oxygen concentration
Enantioselectivity in LOX catalysis
LOX biocatalysis in non-conventional medium
Biocatalysis with immobilized LOX
Biocatalysis with recombinant LOX
Total synthesis using LOX catalysisConclusion