Ah yes, research...

So I guess it's probably about time I talked about why I'm actually here...

I am doing research on wound healing in skin cells. Originally, I was supposed to work on a project involving cancer but things rarely go as planned.

Anyways, I'm not really supposed to be divulging this information, so prepare for some vagueness, though I doubt the 3 or so of you reading this blog will rat me out ;)

So, like I said, I am working on a project involving wound healing in skin cells, specifically keratinocytes. The movement of keratinocytes to close an open wound is modulated by a protein whose expression is regulated post-transcription by miRNA (micro-RNA). In simple terms, miRNA works by binding to mRNA transcripts, preventing proper translation. The miRNA is regulated by other proteins, based on environmental factors, and is usually cleaved from an mRNA transcript, preventing translation of a different protein product.

In essence, the goal is to determine how the miRNA is regulated. By determining this mechanism, the protein that promotes keratinocyte movement in wound healing can be better understood and possibly controlled. The end goal of this research (aside from getting it published and turned into $$$) is to develop therapeutic drugs in order to facilitate the wound healing process. So, for example, instead of having a gash in your arm close up in a day or two, it could close up in an hour.

Of course, there have been plenty of hitches along the way, but maybe one day we can be like this guy: my childhood right here.

You know, minus the green and screaming. I can't believe that's a kid's show...

Ah yes, the world's largest fountain...

This fountain:

It's the largest.

Ah yes, nerding out...

Okay, I admit it. I’m a huge nerd. I love videogames and new gadget tomfoolery. Lucky for me, this is a country chock full of nerds! Literally everyone here is a nerd: my post-doc mentor, random security guard, even the grandma with the PSP on the train!

To feed this insatiable need for technology, Singapore has an annual event called the “PC Show.” At the height of nerdiness, my friend, Isham, and I went so that he could replace his desktop’s motherboard so that he could play Diablo 3.

Turns out, it wasn’t really a “show.” More like a giant sale. In fact, it makes Black Friday seem like a casual shopping experience. 

This is the crowd...

to get to this line.

As it also turns out, this tech-craze doesn’t just encompass the latest and greatest either.

Don't mind the random stranger.

POW! That’s right! They still got arcades here, straight out of the ‘90s…

Ah yes, tea in a bag...

Cup?! You want a cup?! Cups are so not feng shui! We drink out of bags here!

Related: I laugh in the face of sharp, pointy objects!

Ok fine, I don't actually know anything about feng shui or the fine art of interior design and I'm pretty sure tea in a bag has nothing to do with them. Regardless, it seems that unless you go to a 7/11, McDonalds (and its American buddies), or a place that serves hot drinks, you get a bag to take your cool, refreshing drink with you.

So yes, that is a bag of iced tea. A "tea-bag" if you will (forgive me pun-gods!). I went around "tea-bagging" (giggles from the 12 year old CoD players).

Anyway, I will now voice my definitive, professional opinion on drinking out of a plastic bag:

Pros:
Stylish.
Your hands don't get cold.
You can put junk in the bag when you're done.
You can make bad puns about it.

Cons:
You can't put it down.
Beware sharp, pointy objects!
Scratching your head with bag in hand is a bad idea.
Difficult to throw your drink in someone's face should they make an awful pun.

Ah yes, the beaten track...

So I have been in Singapore for a couple days and the weather is hot, hazy, and humid. Walking outside is like walking into a wall...a wall of stickiness and sweat. It is, in fact, so hot that I have become emotionally involved with my air conditioning unit. Okay, I'm kidding, but even the locals complain about the heat!

In addition to the heat, thunderstorms are common. They are about as common as finding Starbucks walking down the street back home, though much less popular. Unfortunately, they do not appear to take away from the heat and only add to the humidity. A lot of the people I've talked to have unanimously agreed that the weather is the worst thing about Singapore.

On to more interesting things though: I have started my internship. Amidst the piles of journal articles and lab equipment though, I realized I needed supplies. No, not pipettes and the list of chemicals from the back of the orgo text book. I needed things like 2-ply and soap. So I asked some co-workers to point me in the direction of the nearest supermarket. Note: I did not ask for directions to get to the supermarket, I am incredibly talented at getting lost with or without instructions. Also, according to my post-doc buddy, being a married guy, he doesn't have to know where to get groceries. Lucky guy.

So, I began walking until I came upon a field. Now, I have been encouraged at points in my life to step off the beaten track. That forging a new road would be rewarding and fresh. Well, someone beat me to it...

Now as far as tracks go, I'd say this one looked quite beaten down. It was also, well lets say, moist, it was very moist. Also, it was filled with snakes.

Now I apologize, I don't have any pictures of the snake that hissed and lunged at me. My fight or flight response does not have a “take picture of offending threat” option included. I don't think that would've have been evolutionarily beneficial either. Talking to a co-worker later, it seems that the snakes in Singapore are somewhat common and usually aggressive. Hopefully they're mostly ferocious garden snakes. A little ways further...

An example of how cross-cultural this country is.

Finally...

Ah the familiar stinky sock smell of durian that accompanies nearly all chinese grocery stores. And to the victor goes the spoils! Also, green bread!

Apparently pandan is a plant that produces the chemical that gives white bread its distinct aroma. Adding it to bread seems a bit redundant I think, but hey! Green bread! Now if only I had some green eggs and ham...

Oh, also, there was a train station around the corner...doh!

Ah yes, spellcheck

I have recently realized that my browser's spell-check is far from 100% accurate. See title for evidence (which I don't know how to change by the way).

So, for future reference, I apologize for any poor spelling mistakes I will be making. Somewhere, all my English teachers are sobbing in disappointment...

EDIT: evidence has been erased

Ah yes, introductions...

Hello! My name is Andrew Tang. Since my last name is a whole syllable shorter, most people just call me Tang. I'm a Biotech major at Rutgers University and am working in Singapore this summer. Due to some firm convincing from the Rutgers Study Abroad office, this blog will be dedicated to my experience abroad, rather than, I dunno, cats or something.

Anyways, I have pretty much just gotten to Singapore. As such, I haven't been able to see much. So, this first post will now be dedicated to the journey over:

I took 2 planes to get here for a combined 24 hours in the air. Now a small discussion about air travel:

I have a small fear of airplanes. Some people would say that this fear is irrational. I would disagree. I see nothing irrational with being uncomfortable being trapped in metal coffin 30,000 feet in the air. Emergency exit procedure at 30,000 feet? Illusion of safety (as you can tell, I hate flying).


So 24 hours in the air is a long time. A full day moves pretty quickly when you're on the ground. In the air though, it's a different story. I watched a movie and 4 tv shows, read a bit, and took a nap. Then I transferred flights...

At this point, I was quite nauseous. I also found out that security at London airport gets suspicious of people stumbling about and falling asleep with a black bag in the airport gates. After a small incident I was on the next flight, where I had to endure a baby crying for 13 continuous hours. I also discovered that I was the only person on the flight with any knowledge of Spanish. Mind you, I wouldn't say I'm competent with the Spanish language, more like competent enough to function in Taco Bell. Anyways, despite my painfully bad command of the language, I managed to help an elderly Spanish lady through immigration. Saving the world one lost soul at a time!

And that's how I got here. Now, pardon me as I attempt to stave off the horrible jet lag...but I will leave you with this

Oops, that's about cats...

P.S. Because my command of the English language is only marginally better than my command of the Spanish language, my wonderful girlfriend back home will be editing these posts, so you'll have her to thank for any sense of coherence =]