March 28, 2012 meeting

Mar 28, 2012 - First Meeting

A good mix of students, postdocs and faculty were in attendance.  The discussion covered both science and planning logistics, including the following:


Science

• The source of ATP's free energy is not intrinsic to the molecule but to the fact that the cell keeps the [ATP]/[ADP] ratio far from equilibrium.
• ATP synthesis is driven by a proton gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane (in eukaryotes).
• Membrane-surrounded compartments are very useful for maintaining systems out of equilibrium
• The non-equilibrium nature of the cell provides directionality (effective non-reversibility) so that 'life can go on'.  For example, cells divide but don't combine!  We need to think about energy and information flow through cellular processes.
• Evolution provides a valuable perspective.  For example, when thinking about cellular energy sources (food), note that hydrocarbons and molecular oxygen (produced by cells) were not initially available on earth.  Fortunately, sunlight was around to get things started.
• Dan Zuckerman declared Franklin Harold's book (see references) to be essential reading.  It gives the big picture of cell biology and is incredibly well written.

Planning/Logistics

• Meet every two weeks during summer but once a month until classes end.
• Participants should bring in books of interest.  Dan Zuckerman brought a big stack (some in references).  Also mentioned were an astrobiology book and Kauffman's The Origins of Order.  Feel free to put additional info or suggestions as a comment.
• Start some kind of web forum (which is this!).  Everyone should feel free to add comments.