Prolactin

Motilin

The Molecules of Life Project flows creatively with Motilin. Monday, the 15th October in Mrs Grant’s second grade class at Oxford Elementary School, thanks to the Motilin Maidens, Becka Viau (BA, NSCAD) and Karen Schurman (BSc SMU), all eyes were drawn into the intestine as hands squeezed mimicking the peristalsis motion of the digestive tube. [...]

Bradykinin

Wednesday, December 13th, 2006, Halifax, NS, 2nd graders captured a Jararaca snake in Brazil as they were transported to 1949 and the event of the discovery of Bradykinin, thanks to Stephanie Melanson (BSc DAL) and Emmelyne Pornillos (MDes NSCADU). All were intrigued as Emmelyne traced the silhouette of a volunteer student on a large piece [...]

Vasopressin

Friday, November 24th, 2006, Halifax, NS, 2nd graders grasped their kidneys and learned about vasopressin, thanks to an impressive performance by three MLP students Katie Nizio (BSc SMU), Anna Sprague (MFA Concordia) and Cody Stephenson (MFA NSCAD). Starting out with basic questions about water its importance in the body, particularly in blood, Katie brought us [...]

Angiotensin

The Molecules of Life Project feels its blood pressure rise with Angiotensin Wednesday the 15th November in Mrs Grant’s second grade class at Oxford Elementary School, Amy Trottier (BSc DAL) was asked to pump up the peptide jam solo. Providing a solid background on the circulatory system and that most important muscle the heart, Amy [...]

October 6, 2011 in Peptide

Monday, April 23rd, 2007, Halifax, NS, 2nd graders were intrigued by the mixing and movements of color dye in a plate of milk as the team of Ted Abraham (BSc, SMU) and Wes Johnston (BFA, NSCADU) introduced the peptide prolactin, which they explained causes milk production. The students showed their own knowledge about the different kinds of milk, from both plant (soy milk) and animal (i.e. cow, goat, buffalo, llama and human) sources. Engaging the students in a poster about prolactin and a chart about the components of various kinds of milk, Ted relayed how different kinds of milk have different amounts of fat, calcium, energy and vitamins. Cutting shapes from card board tubes and paper cups, Wes guided the students in how to synthesize a peptide chain from alpha-helix and random coil secondary structures. Combining the helices and coils together, the students constructed a giant peptide chain, which they measured to be 10 meters long (now that’s a big peptide!). Milking the prolactin moment, the students grasped why polactin levels are usually very low in men and why in women, prolactin levels increase to a maximum immediately after childbirth. In addition, they were reminded that oxytocin, another peptide (shaped like a lasso) causes milk release called lactation.

Finishing our third MLP presentation in 2007, (10th total!!), team prolactin was thanked for a crème de la crème MLP experience in 2nd grade in Halifax.

Team Prolactin, Ted Abraham (BSc, SMU) and Wes Johnston (BFA, NSCADU) fielding questions on milk.

Exploring the influence of soap on color dyes floating on different kinds of milk.