Essay
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The essay is worth 10% of the overall mark
The word limit is 1000 words not including references
You can add Figures or Diagrams
The deadline will be in late January (exact data to be decided)
You can write the essay on any one of the following three topics:
Methods for genetic sequencing
The sequence of bases in a DNA molecule determines the amino acid sequence of the generated
protein which in turn confers its function. Gene sequencing is the method of determining the
sequence of bases. In recent years, new methods have been developed for gene sequencing which
has made the process so quick and cheap; it may soon be possible to routinely obtain the complete
genetic sequence of individual humans. In this essay, review the current state of the art methods for
obtaining DNA sequences, explaining how they work and what are their pros and cons. What are the
potential future directions for this field?
The Lipid Raft Hypothesis
It is known that 3-component mixtures of saturated and unsaturated lipids and cholesterol can form
co-existing liquid-ordered and liquid-disordered phases in model membrane bilayers. The lipid raft
hypothesis is that ordered-phase domains (the rafts) exist in the plasma membranes of live cells, and
float in the liquid-disordered “sea” of the rest of the membrane. These rafts could act as platforms
for cell signalling molecules, regulating membrane protein diffusion and interactions. Review the
history and current state of the art of the Lipid Raft Hypothesis. What are the physical properties of
rafts now thought to be?
Nanotechnology in the cosmetic industry
Nanotechnology is the manipulation of objects on the scale of nanometers. This may include the
generation of nano-particles, liposomes and drug delivery systems. Nanotechnology in the cosmetic
industry is now a multi-billion dollar industry and now includes technology as diverse as
nanoparticles to enhance UV absorption in Sun block to nano-scale emulsions in shampoo. Review
the current state of the art of nanotechnology in the cosmetic industry and suggest what the
technologies of tomorrow might allow.