Styrene Monooxygenase Reductase(SMOB)

The past few months, my research lab and myself have been doing some kinetic studies of Styrene Monooxygenase Reductase. This particular enzyme, found in some bacteria is able to convert styrene (a major component used in the production of plastic products) into the known carcinogen styrene oxide through its epoxidase component. Us humans convert styrene in similar fashion and the metabolites that are formed are the same. My studies included undestanding the flavin specificity of the reductase component by altering which flavin the reductase would produce activity with. After a presentation of this was made and presented in front of the SFSU faculty, my professor is currently working to produce a published product. Stay tuned..

Creator Of LSD Dies at 102

Albert Hofmann, the creator and inventor of LSD, died a few days ago on April 29th. In an era of psychedelic drug synthesis, Albert Hofmann was a pioneer. He not only founded LSD but also synthesized the “magic” ingredient of shrooms called psilocybin. Upon some reading, I found that the creation of LSD was an accident. He was attempting to create drugs to improve circulation and respiratory problems and instead, accidently created lysergic acid diethylamide (Better known in the common name of LSD) outa mushrooms. It’s a bit crazy to think that a man who synthesized LSD was able to live up to the age of 102 don’t you think?

More Knowledge about his death @

Albert Hofmann Takes Final Trip

Stretch to The Site of a New Blog

whats goin on world.. so heres the start of a new blog.. here, ill mainly discuss my interests of whats goin on in both.. the hiphop world (or at least my personal tastes of the moment).. and the world of science (im a biochem major afterall).. ill probably post up random things i find interesting.. so we’ll see whats up..