A model of yeast glycolysis based on a consistent kinetic characterisation of all its enzymes.

We present an experimental and computational pipeline for the generation of kinetic models of metabolism, and demonstrate its application to glycolysis in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Starting from an approximate mathematical model, we employ a "cycle of knowledge" strategy, identifying the steps with most control over flux. Kinetic parameters of the individual isoenzymes within these steps are measured experimentally under a standardised set of conditions.

Fibre optics sensors in tear electrolyte analysis: towards a novel point of care potassium sensor.

The diagnosis of ocular disease is increasingly important in optometric practice and there is a need for cost effective point of care assays to assist in that. Although tears are a potentially valuable source of diagnostic information difficulties associated with sample collection and limited sample size together with sample storage and transport have proved major limitations. Progressive developments in electronics and fibre optics together with innovation in sensing technology mean that the construction of inexpensive point of care fibre optic sensing devices is now possible.

Crossing the boundaries delivering trans-disciplinary science in a disciplinary world.

Major research initiatives are increasingly drawing on multiple disparate disciplines and systems biology is a key exemplar. Trans-disciplinary research occurs where individual disciplinary traditions combine to create new shared knowledge that cannot be said to fit within the domain of any single discipline. Generation of new understanding of biological systems at the cell, organ, or organism level clearly meets these criteria, and we therefore consider systems biology research a truly trans-disciplinary undertaking.

Uranyl-specific binding at a functionalised interface: a chemophotonic fibre optic sensor platform.

Detection of radiological materials in the solution phase is restricted by conventional radiation-counting techniques owing to extreme attenuation. Chemical sensing of the resultant radiological species such as uranyl UO(2)(2+) is possible on the surface of a plastic or glass fibre optic. A dihydroxy isoamethryin complex is tethered to the fibre surface which has a large extinction coefficient (119 000 M(-1) cm(-1) at lambda = 439 nm) and changes colour upon binding UO(2)(2+).