For as much as I love science and use rational thought to understand life, politics and health I was absolutely terrible in science in school. It started in the 6th grade when I brought home my very first ‘bad grade’ and guess what it was in? Science. My mother was ‘very disappointed’ and we both went in and had a conversation with my teacher. This pattern continued into high school and now looking back, it makes me sad. Mainly because I was shamed at being bad at something, while no additional help was offered. Ironically, my mother was a teacher.
But this is not the place to hash out old memories but rather focus on science and my affection for it as an adult, especially in this age of misinformation. Additionally, I am happy to say that my current partner is an actual scientist. Like work in a lab, make new things or new technology. Their background is in NMR and they’re currently working at a new startup that wants to create a device that measures glucose levels in blood via magnets. This will be revolutionary, and I’ve really enjoyed learning more about their process.
Did you know that insulin is a biologic drug, meaning that it is made from living organisms rather than a chemical synthesis. Essentially, the biotechnology harnesses living organisms to create the insulin protein. During this process human insulin genes are inserted into bacteria or yeast which work to produce the insulin protein. More in depth is that scientists isolate the insulin gene and combine it with a plasmid with a DNA ligase joined to them with then forms something called a recombinant plasmid. This plasmid is then inserted back into the bacteria or yeast cells and then is fermented under ideal conditions. After enough insulin is made, it is then harvested and purified and prepared for use in medicine.
Fucking wild.
Apparently in the US insulin has been reclassified from a chemical drug to a biological product back in March 2020. This was important because the cost of insulin was (and is!) so high in the states that this reclassification encouraged competition and helped lower costs. I did not know this, but there are different classifications between synthetic products and biologicals.
Biologicals are complex medicines that are derived from living organisms like insulin versus chemically synthesized drugs. Stem cell therapies are also biologicals as well as monoclonal antibodies, a word I did not even know or understand until writing this blog.
Apparently monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a laboratory that mimic the body’s natural antibodies and are used to attack specific cells or pathogens. They’re like specifically targeted assassins that can kill infectious diseases or even cancers. And apparently you can find monoclonal antibodies for sale online.
Fucking Wild. That’s the coolest thing I’ve read about in a long time, I’m so grateful that I live post-germ theory and, in the age where scientists can make targeted proteins to help keep us well. Hell, even in the age where insulin is mass produced and can literally transform people’s lives. This is incredible.