Science Time - Molecules and Models

The Magic of Molecular Modeling

"All Art is but imitation of nature." - Seneca
The same seems to be happening in scientific laboratories today.

Life is nothing but a few molecules put together in a certain order. The order is as important as the molecules are. Years and decades of research have brought us the knowledge about these molecules and researchers nowadays are busy determining the order of their arrangement. This has given rise to an extremely important field called molecular modeling.

Molecular modeling is the branch of study that revolves around prediction of structures and functions of various biological molecules by means of models developed on computers.

The study is limited not only to visualizing the structures of molecules, but can range from performing complex calculations related to the behaviour of the molecule to prediction of the functions of the molecule.

Molecular modeling has perhaps been best explored in case of proteins. The vast expanse of the biological world harbours countless proteins. Our hair, skin, stomach, muscles, tears, sweat, diet - everything contains proteins and that too of varied kinds. A detailed knowledge about the arrangement, nature and working of these proteins would definitely be helpful in understanding biological systems.

This ingenious technique allows us to see the desired molecule on a huge computer and further enables us to see its various configurations in static as well as dynamic states just by the click of a mouse. This further helps in predicting the binding sites of the molecule and thus gives an idea about its interaction with other molecules.

This is particularly helpful in drug designing when we are developing pharmaceuticals targeted against some specific molecules inside the body. Reaction mechanisms can be foreseen. Moreover, with the human genome decoded, there has arisen the scope for studying innumerable molecules that could find immense use in molecular biology, immunology or pharmacology.

Molecular modeling is thus basically a computer tool, which also requires a working knowledge of mathematics as molecular structuring on the computer involves handling geometrical figures and toying with them in various dimensions.

Indeed, techniques like this reflect not only the zenith of technology but also a greater understanding of a few pages of the book of life.

-Nivedita M Shori

That's YOU !!

If only you could hit upon that key to unlock the tremendous potential and talents hidden deep within you! How valuable that key must be, isn’t it? Oh, to discover what lies behind this appearance, what you are capable of achieving, what is the reason you are unable to get just that ‘extra’ which someone else whisked away!

Just by a fortuitous chance, that key happened to fall in your own pocket! Rejoice, for all the secrets of the coveted life you always wanted to live can be uncovered by you. Here’s how to use that key-

- Be your own master: More often than not, we are happy or sad because somebody said or did something good or bad. Our emotions should not be subservient to others’ will. If I want to be happy, I will! Smile big, smile with confidence. Right now. Always.

- Self-introspection: All of us need time to wonder, contemplate, speculate. Sit back and think what interests you the most. Give a serious thought to what suits you the best and where is it that you lag behind in perfection.

- Focus on strengths: We all have something in our personality that can safely take us through. That 'something' has to be discovered. We are the best judges of the wealth we possess. It is our own duty to foster our positive points in order to keep at pace with what life expects of us.

- Be thyself: It’s imperative that we cease to be blind followers. Mass mentality is conspicuous but not befitting to all. Have your own style of doing things and be confident enough to abide by it. Who knows, the leader of the next mass movement could be you. So, just get out of that aimless crowd.

- Update yourself: Be a regular taker of the changes that arise in the world. Plunge into all that there is. Don’t let the fear of experimentation or hesitation towards technology grip you. Dive right ahead into anything that can add value to life — economic, mental or personal.

- Don’t bury the inquisitiveness: A child is immensely curious. Over the years, his quest to know more gets ebbed. Never extenuate your inquisitiveness. If there’s something new, catch up with it. Don’t sit there waiting for things to come to you of their own accord.

- Self- acceptance: If you don’t love yourself, nobody else can love you. Figure this — you meet a friend who is continuously cribbing about something, say his car. He keeps considering each one of his car’s features abominable, one more than the other. When you depart, will you carry back a good impression of the car? Some is the case when one keeps dwelling on one’s negative features and keeps hating oneself for the same. Others catch your vibes and start hating you too.

So don't let anything hold you back. Go ahead. Put on that winsome smile and unlock the real “you”.

- Nivedita