Progress

I did a bit of questions of RR Biochemistry today. Well, considering biochemistry, I don't remember much of what I've been reading for a months. And also did some very stupid mistakes. But I mostly knew that if I had memorized the things better, the questions were answerable, the answers had all been in my books.

Day 9. Gene mapping and cloning

Well, I already thought that genetics seems easier, but this subject is tough for me, hard to capture.

Trying to determine where the gene is located and how far apart 2 genes are from one another.

• crossing over (in prophase I of meiosis)
• linked genes - the probability of recombination <>
• syntenic - genes on the same chromosome
• recombination frequency
• LOD scores
• linkage disequilibrium
• polymorhic markers

Gene cloning:

1. find linkage to a known markers;
2. identify protein coding regions (computers - promoter areas, exon-intron boundaries, starting codones, CG islands)
3. compare DNA sequences of these genes in affected and unaffected individuals.

Day 6. Genetics. Single-gene Disorders.

Moved to genetics this morning. Metabolsism still needs revising and memorizing, but for the first reading, it's ok, I guess. I read Goljan's high yield notes yesterday and they didn't seem rocket science anymore, started to make sense. I mean, I actually knew something. Questions though seem tricky. The whole picture is still a bit messy. Needs lot of work.

• point mutations
• missense mutations
• nonsense mutations
• deletion/insertion mutations
• framshift mutations

AD - autosome dominant (mostly structural protein defect) (gained/lost). E.g. Achondroplasia.

AR - autosomal recessive (usually ezyme defects) E.g. Cystic fibrosis.

X-linked inheritance. (From mother to son, no father to son) E.g. Hemophilia A.

X-linked dominant inheritance (more women affected).

Mitochondrial inheritance - (all children of a sick woman are affected; men don't transmit) Leber Herditary Optic Neuropathy

Day 5. Lipid Metabolism

It goes slower now, as I've been trying to fit all the different pathways into one whole metabolism picture. But it gets messy as there are huge number of enzymes to remember and how they are controlled.
But as my online study partner said: don't get frustrated and be patient. And I'm trying to do this.
"What is important is to keep learning, to enjoy challenge, and to tolerate ambiguity. In the end there are no certain answers". I like this quota by Martina Horner.

Updates

I have been studying biochemistry for a while now. Recently found a study partner and we made a schedule which we try to follow.

Overview

I've finished reviewing cell biology at last - organelles, cell's transport and communication systems. It was quite an interesting subject, I even felt somehow thrilled. I did it rather thoroughly, using different sources. Reading the experience of other's, using too many recources is discouraged, but I just can't do otherwise, I need different approaces to begin to understand the topic fully. I also guess, as I don't feel the pressure of exam, I can enjoy the process of learning more - it's just for myself.
Right now I've started neurophyiology.

What have I been doing.

I've gone through cell cytoplasm, epithelium and connective tissue. Made good notes on paper on nucleus, haven't have time to update notes here.
I also found some good histology and cell biology sites online which I will list next time.

Starting my medical career again?

I have no idea whether I will ever work as a doctor again and if yes whether then in Estonia or in the USA. But I felt that it's still a good idea to refresh my memory on basic medical knowledge.
Anyway, I have 7 books coming from Amazon and yesterday I also took 2 histology and an anatomy book from the collage library.
So here it comes - to track my progress or the lack of progress.... just some notes. I thought that it would be better to keep them in English. Just for the reason of practise and also as all the books, which I'm going to read, are in English. And after all, nobody would ever ask me this stuff in Estonian again. If I'm not going to work as a doctor, then it's just for myself - to broaden my hosrizons. I've really forgotten a lot of all of this which I studied 15 years ago.