The grand picture of molecular life science

Drawing to almost half of my third year of university studies, in one semester of my third year, I have covered so many things. Contents were fleshed out in great, intricate details.

My lecturers are from Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at University of Melbourne. Each time, during a lecture, they always have interesting story to tell about what's happening inside cells. Every time when I'm asked on what I'm doing, saying biochemistry to be specific, sounds like something so advanced. The truth is, studying biochemistry in the 21st century is like playing LEGO at the molecular level and involve lots of storytelling about molecular processes.

How to excel in studies? I can't emphasise more and more that you must show an interest in the subject matter, be it academic, artistic or professional. The next thing is to actually understand what you are studying and not simply blind memorisation. With the understanding in a few topics that make up the whole subject, comes appreciation - the big picture, knowing that topics do not exist in isolation but instead connected to each other.

When you can finally appreciate the contents in a subject, you have achieved the learning outcome.

Only upon arrival at third year of university studies, I begin to realise that biochemistry and molecular biology is a grand masterpiece of painting. "Biochemistry and molecular biology" is for the naming sake; in actual fact, the picture consists of parts from the molecular to cellular level, hence it is really "biochemistry, molecular and cell biology". To gain an even greater appreciation, I need to know physiology - how things work in living things at the systemic level - but I admit I'm deficient in it beyond uni first year level.

What subjects am I taking? I shall name them and give you a brief description:

Functional Genomics and Bioinformatics: Study of gene expression (transcription and translation) in great detail, regulation of gene expression and experimental approach to extract information encoded in genes.

Molecular Aspects of Cell Biology: Taking things beyond the DNA level to look at the happenings inside and outside the cell. Proteins are made, but it's the work that proteins do that make the cell comes alive. Each have their role to play to make the cell happening. Also some experimental techniques to see what's happening in cells.

Advanced Techniques in Molecular Science: How to work in a biochemistry/molecular biology lab using your hands. A lab based subject.

Biotechnology in Practice: The business of biotechnology.

Functional Genomics and Molecular Aspects, from the way I see it, actually forms a big picture that you can't really separate from one another into subjects. What's more, both subjects are taught by the same people and use the same lecture theatres - until I can't really tell which subject I'm attending!

I can't stress more on the importance of the lab subject because it's from the lab techniques I learnt, that's how discoveries are made. The methods are always at disposal but it's just how to use them for a purpose.

Semester is drawing to an end, so it's time to go for Gold!

Rebecca Black's actual voice Friday

Can she sing? You be the judge.

YB Nurul Izzah Anwar and Raja Petra Kamaruddin LIVE in Melbourne

Last month, I attended a public forum spoken by Nurul Izzah and Raja Petra at Clayton Hall (near Monash University).


Response was so overwhelming that there's always not enough seats. All of us should love that.

Raja Petra was our own comedian in the house. He made us LOL!

The take home message was to vote for a government we want. Not just voting for the Opposition to replace the present government. We should set a higher expectations for the next government.

After the talk it's photo time! YB Nurul Izzah had to take an earlier leave so didn't get to pose with her.


Call him Pete.


My friends were also there!



The wind of change is blowing. We have always wanted it, we won't stop till we get what we want.

IU - Good Day

absolutely fantastic English rendition of IU's Good Day. 5 octave voice required, who can do it?



Here's the Korean original for comparison:

My new toy: iPod touch 8 GB

I've never expected it, I won an iPod touch 4th generation by a lucky draw during CMG Idol!

I knew I've missed out a lot on Apple iOS apps because I don't have an iPhone, especially many developers choose to write apps for iPhone over other platforms (Symbian, BlackBerry, Android). But not anymore! With my new toy I'm able to enjoy Instagram and Tweetdeck like most people do.



With my new iPod touch, I don't use it as a music player, mostly. With the iPod touch, I'm introduced to tons of interesting apps like never before, I do not get to enjoy them on my N97. The apps adds so much more value to this supposedly music player in my palm, I got exposed to so much useful softwares like never before, functionality of iPod touch increased exponentially with each app loaded. It becomes some sort of mini computer that comes in handy whenever I need something. The only limit is disk space, practically I have 6 GB available; and your imagination on how the device can become useful to you.

Back then, phones with Internet access were considered luxury. I could still remember my prepaid credit got drained out simply by browsing a few web pages, when I first stepped onto Melbourne two years ago. Two months passed, I found out that mobile Internet just got 10 times cheaper. Practically, I find myself checking my Twitter and Facebook on my mobile, everyday.

Who will be able to predict what people need in time to come? The thing you label a luxury can become a necessity in the near future.

Going Crazy MV stalker version

Girl singing in fear coupled with haunting lyric of stalker's rap. Here you go, Song Ji Eun's Going Crazy:



I've always thought Ji Eun was using a wig for her blue hair. Turned out she was dying her hair blue for it. Cute K-pop songs are everywhere and overrated - I like the Ji Eun in Going Crazy rather than Shy Boy.

K-pop songs I like with recorded music (MR) removed

Not long after I started 3rd year of uni, I searched for 5dolls' debut video. What I found was:



It sounded a little weird. Lacking time, I didn't find further videos of them. Back then I had no idea of what's MR removed.

Being a singer is really a occupational hazard. Check them out below:

SECRET: Shy Boy - a demanding dance that makes you gasping for air and still sing!


T-ara: Yayaya


G.NA: Black and White


SNSD: Oh! - I say dancing and singing is next to impossible! Don't believe me?!


You expect a reasonable performance when dancing is not involved.

SECRET Jieun: Going Crazy


Chi Chi: Don't Play Around - Obviously lip syncing!!!


IU: Good Day - You can say she's fit physically.


Who's the one that can really sing?