ACETYLCHOLINE
An important neurotransmitter which plays a role in brain and muscle function.
ACETALDEHYDE DEHYDROGENASE
An enzyme responsible for the conversion of acetaldehyde to acetic acid during alcohol metabolism.
ACETYL-COA SYNTHETASE
An enzyme which converts acetate to Acetyl-CoA during alcohol metabolism.
ALCOHOL
A class of molecules characterised by the possession of a hydroxyl (-OH) functional group.
ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE
An enzyme which oxidises a primary or secondary alcohol into aldehydes and ketones, respectively. In alcohol metabolism, this enzyme oxidises ethanol to acetaldehyde.
ANGIOGENESIS
APOLIPOPROTEIN
A protein which is involved in the formation of lipoproteins through its association with lipids. There are 6 main classes: A, B, C, D, E, and H, all playing important roles in lipid transport and receptor recognition.
ASPIRIN
Medication used commonly to reduce inflammation.
BCL2LIKE12 PROTEIN
A protein whose expression is upregulated in glioma cells and it leads to these cells being resistant to apoptosis.
BETA-AMYLOID FIBRES
Self assembled protein fibrils folded into a beta form
BIOCOMPATIBILITY
A general term describing the property of a material being compatible with living tissue
BOTULINUM TOXIN
A neurotoxin protein produced by specific bacteria. These toxins affect nerves to cause muscle paralysis.
BOTULISM
The primary pathological outcome of exposure to botulinum toxin. This attacks the body's nerves to bring about paralysis.
CARDIOMETABOLIC RISK
How likely it is that someone experiences a vascular event or develops diabetes.
CEREBELLUM
The part of the brain which is responsible for the coordination of movement.
CETUXIMAB
A drug used against cancer cells which inhibits the epidermal growth factor receptor and causes the cancer cells to be targeted for destruction
CHAPERONE
A protein which has important roles in the folding of proteins during stress.
CITRIC ACID CYCLE
Also known as the TCA (tricarboxylic acid) cycle or the Krebs cycle. It is involved in ATP formation by generating NADH and FADH2.
CLOSTRIDIUM BOTULINUM
An obligate anaerobic gram positive bacterium, which produced botulinum toxin.
CO-FACTOR
A compound which is bound to a protein and is essential for that protein's function and activity.
CYTOCHROME
A protein which is important for electron transport.
CYTOKINES
Signalling molecules which are involved in the regulation of immunity and inflammation.
DIACYLGLYCEROL (DAG)
Synthesised from PI (phosphatidylinositol) and is involved in the synthesis of 2-AG.
DIACYLGLYCEROL LIPASE (DAGL)
An enzyme that converts Diacylglycerol to 2-arachidonoylglycerol.
DOPAMINE
A hormone which can also act as a neurotransmitter and is involved in how we perceive pleasure.
DYNAMIN
Enzyme crucial to the clathrin-dependent endocytosis of vesicles.
EMT-6 MAMMARY CARCINOMAS
A type of murine mammary carcinoma cell line derived from mice.
ENDOGENOUS LIPID CASCADE
The transport system which is responsible for the transportation of lipids synthesised by the body.
EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR
Protein which stimulates the growth and differentiation of cells via its binding to Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor on the surface of said cells.
EPITHELIAL TO MESENCHYMAL TRANSITION (EMT)
A normal process in the body where epithelial cells can convert into mesenchymal cells. However, when this happens in cancer cells, it allows cancer cells to be mobile and metastasise.
EXOGENOUS LIPID CASCADE
The transport system for lipids which are obtained from the diet.
FATTY ACID AMIDE HYDROLASE (FAAH) & N-ACYLETHANOLAMINE ACID AMIDASE (NAAA)
Fatty acid amide hydrolase and N-acylethanolamine-hydrolysing acid amidase respectively, both enzymes that are hydrolysing Ananadamide into Arachidonic acid in its degradation.
FLUORESCENCE IMAGING
A non-invasive technique used for imaging which makes use of fluorescence to view biological activities which are taking place in the organisms.
GABA
Also known as gamma-aminobutyric acid. It is an inhibitory neurotransmitter.
GEMCITABINE
A chemotherapeutic drug classified as an antimetabolite which inhibits the cancer cells from dividing by interfering with their cell cycle.
GENOTOXIC
A substance which causes damage to the cellular genetic material.
GLIOMA CELLS
A tumour which arises in the glial cells present in the brain and the spinal cord.
GLUCONEOGENESIS
The process by which glucose is generated from non-carbohydrate sources such as proteins and fat.
INFLAMMATORY CYTOKINES
Proteins that are secreted if any invading pathogens are present, and they modulate the inflammation in the body by activating immune cells.
INTEGRIN
Animal transmembrane protein involved in the adhesion of cells to each other and to substrates.
INTRATHECALLY
Space between the layers of tissue which cover the spinal cord
KM SUBSTRATE
The Michaelis constant, Km, is defined as the substrate concentration at 1/2 the maximum velocity.
LIMBIC SYSTEM
A set of structures in the brain composed of the amygdala, hippocampus, and the cingulate gyrus which are primarily responsible for controlling emotional and behavioural responses.
A molecule composed of an association between a lipid and a protein.
LIPOPROTEIN
LIPOPROTEIN LIPASE
An enzyme responsible for breaking down triacylglycerol from chylomicrons and VLDLs, releasing fatty acids in the process.
LYMPH
Fluid from the lymphatic system containing white blood cells which functions to remove bacteria from tissues.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING
An imaging technique which makes use of magnetic fields to generate images of organs
MDA-MB-361 MAMMARY ADENOCARCINOMA
A mammary carcinoma cell line.
METALLOPROTEASE
Any protein or enzyme that is dependent on a metal such as zinc or magnesium to bring about its catalytic function.
MICELLE
A structure which is composed of a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic exterior.
MONOACYLGLYCEROL LIPASE (MAGL)
An enzyme that converts 2-arachidonoylglycerol back to arachidonic acid.
N-ACYL PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE PHOSPHOLIPASE D (NAPE-PLD)
An enzyme that converts N-arachidonoyl PE into Anandamide.
N-ACYLTRANSFERASE (NAT)
An enzyme that converts phosphatidylethanolamine to N-acylphosphatidylethanolamine.
NANOTECHNOLOGY
The technology by which matter is manipulated on a near-atomic scale to synthesis novel structures, devices and materials.
N-ARACHIDONOYL PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE (NAPE)
A precursor for the synthesis of anandamide, which is synthesised from PE (phosphatidylethanolamine)
N-ARACHIDONOYLETHANOLAMINE (ANANDAMIDE) AND 2- ARACHIDONOYLGLYCEROL (2-AG)
Two well-studied endocannabinoids that are arachidonic acid derivatives.
NUCLEATION
The initial process which takes place in the formation of crystals from small amounts of atoms, molecules, ions etc…
NEUROMUSCULAR JUNCTION
A highly specialised synapse between a motor neuron and its muscle fibre, important to send electrical impulses.
OPTOELECTRONICS
Optoelectronics is based on the quantum mechanical effects of light on electronic materials
PHOSPHATIDYLETHANOLAMINE (PE)
A type of phospholipid found in cell membranes which are important for cell signalling.
PHOSPHATIDYLINOSITOL (PI)
A glycerophospholipid composed of a glycerol backbone, 2 fatty acid tails, a phosphate group and an inositol group.
PHOSPHOLIPASE C (PLC)
An enzyme involved in many pathways, specifically involved in endocannabinoid metabolism and converts phosphatidylinositol to diacylglycerol.
PROTEINURIA
High levels of protein in the urine.
REACTIVE OXYGEN SPECIES (ROS)
A highly reactive molecule containing oxygen which can cause extensive damage to the cell's genetic material.
RETICULAR ACTIVATING SYSTEM
The part of the brain which is involved with sleep-wake transitions, as well as regulating arousal and wakefulness.
PLASMONIC
Plasmonic refers to the oscillatory movement by which free electrons move as a consequence of dipole formation in specific materials due to electromagnetic waves.
RADIOSENSITIZERS
Chemicals that cause the effects of radiation to increase in magnitude
RADIOTHERAPY
A type of cancer treatment which uses radiation to kill cancer cells.
SATURATED
A biomolecule which contains no double or triple bonds.
SECONDARY MESSENGER
A type of molecule which is released as a result of the binding of extracellular signals to cell surface receptors, and elicits a response.
SEROTONIN
A hormone which regulates many aspects of the human body such as learning, attention, memory, and mood.
SK-BR-3 BREAST CANCER
A breast cancer cell line isolated from humans and is used in research.
SNARE PROTEINS
A large family of proteins responsible for mediating vesicle fusion towards its target membrane.
SiRNA
Double stranded non-coding RNA which is known as small interfering RNA
STATIN
A drug which lowers cholesterol levels.
THERMAL THERAPY
A type of treatment of which uses heat to alleviate symptoms of pain.
TRANSCRIPTION FACTOR
A protein that controls how slowly or quickly DNA is transcribed into mRNA
TUMOUR NECROSIS FACTOR
A type of cytokine important for cell proliferation, differentiation, and death.
UBIQUITINATION
A biological process in which proteins are tagged with ubiquitin in order to be degraded.
UNSATURATED
A biomolecule which possesses double or triple bonds.
VASOPRESSIN
Also known as antidiuretic hormone. It is involved in water retention by increasing the amount of water reabsorbed by the kidneys.
XENOBIOTICS
Compounds which are foreign to an organism hence are substances which are not naturally produced by the body, or are not naturally present there.
X-RAY SCATTER IMAGING
A non-destructive technique which shows information on the different properties of materials.
A process by which new blood vessels are formed.
ABCA1 Receptor
ATP-Binding Cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1) is a protein receptor which participates in the reverse cholesterol transport pathway in order to control the homeostasis of cholesterol by regulating cholesterol efflux.
Acetyl CoA
A molecule which acts as an intermediate in a number of metabolic pathways. Acetyl Co-A is derived from oxidation reactions in the mitochondria and the cytoplasm.
Akt Pathway
Also known as the protein kinase B (PKB) pathway. This pathway controls cellular growth and survival in response to extracellular factors.
Aldosterone
A steroid hormone produced by the adrenal gland, specifically the adrenal cortex. It takes part in regulating homeostasis by increasing fluid retention and blood pressure
Apoprotein E (ApoE)
A cholesterol carrier which is also involved in repair of brain injury.
Atherosclerosis
The process of deposit and thickening of plaque build-up on the inner lining of arteries. Risk of atherosclerosis is increased with smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and obesity.
HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/Statins
Drugs inhibit cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting the action of the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase which converts HMG-CoA to Mevalonate.
Huntington's disease
Neurodegenerative disease which causes progressive degeneration of neurons. Symptoms of this disease include impairments in cognitive functions and voluntary movements.
Intermediate Density Lipoprotein (LPL)
Lipoproteins which form from the degradation of VLDLs. IDL is converted to LDL by the action of lipoprotein lipase.
Lipid Profile
Blood test panel which is performed to investigate the concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
Lipoprotein Lipase (LPL)
Extracellular enzyme which is found circulating in the bloodstream and catalyses the conversion of IDL to LDL.
Low Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
Also referred to as ‘bad cholesterol’. High levels of LDL in the blood increases the risk of various forms of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Bile Acid Sequestrants
These drugs decrease the levels of LDL by increasing the concentration of bile in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. They bind to particular components of bile acids and prevent them from being absorbed into the blood stream, thus increasing its concentration in the GI tract.
Chylomicrons Remnants
Formed from the hydrolysis (breakdown) of chylomicrons, specifically hydrolysis of the triglyceride core by the enzyme lipoprotein lipase.
Chylomicrons
Large lipoproteins rich in triglycerides which carry phospholipids and esterified cholesterol
Cortisol
A steroid hormone often referred to as the ‘stress hormone’. It helps regulate a number of metabolic processes and also participates in immune response.
Haemorrhagic Stroke
Also known as cerebral haemorrhage. This refers to a type of stroke which occurs due to a brain bleed.
High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
Also referred to as ‘good cholesterol’. HDL absorbs low density lipoprotein molecules in the blood stream and deposits them in the liver for recycling
Very-Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL)
Type of lipoprotein molecule which is produced by the liver and is released into the blood stream in order to increase the concentration of triglycerides to supply body tissues.
Mevalonate Pathway
Pathway involves a number of reactions which result in the production of cholesterol from acetyl CoA.
Neuropathic Symptoms
Tingling, numbness, burning sensation, sharp or shooting pain, and loss of coordination.
Nicotinic Acid Derivatives
Drugs increase the production of HDL, thus reducing the concentration of LDL in the bloodstream.
PPARa Agonists/Fibrates
Drugs which decrease the concentration of LDL in the blood stream by stimulating an increase in the production of HDL
Schwann Cells
Cells in the peripheral nervous system which function to myelinate neurons and support them.
Xanthomas
Yellowish coloured skin lesions which have a waxy appearance and appear raised on the skin. They occur due to genetically inherited disorders involving lipid metabolism. These lesions contain cholesterol and fats.
Quinozoline
An aromatic heterocyclic compound (C8H6N2) with a bicyclic structure consisting of two fused six-membered aromatic rings, a benzene ring and a pyrimidine ring.
Guanidinium group
A molecular group consisting of HNC(NH₂)₂ and a pyrimidine ring with five additional fused ring systems.
Voltage-gated sodium channels (VGSC)
Transmembrane proteins that are crucial in nerve impulse conductions, as they maintain the resting membrane potential and generate action potentials according to the amount of sodium cations passing through. Various isoforms of VGSC are found in literature.
Brainstem
Found at the bottom of the brain and connects the brain to the spinal cord; it is made up of the midbrain, pons and medulla oblongata that together regulate heart rate, breathing and blood pressure.
Motor neurons
Also called efferent neurons, carry signals from the central nervous system to the muscles to initiate movement.
Sensory neurons
Also called afferent neurons, carry signals (received from the environment) from the receptors to the central nervous system.
Autonomic neurons
Form part of the autonomic nervous system that controls glands and organs by motor neurons.
Epilepsy
Conditions characterised by seizures, due to excessive electrical activity in the brain.
Hyponatremia
Low sodium concentration in neurons.
Areflexia
Absence of deep tendon reflexes; tendons are the tight cords of tissue that connect muscles to bones. Thus, patients suffering from areflexia do not respond to stimuli at all and find difficulty performing day-to-day activities.
Pain
Life-saving mechanism where unpleasant sensory and emotional experiences are associated with stimuli that cause tissue damage.
Neuropathic pain
Chronic pain due to a progressive nerve disease; tends to worsen over time.
Visceral pain
Non-localised pain that arises due to receptor activation in the intestines, abdomen, pelvis or chest.
Analgesic
A drug or medicine given to relief pain.
Relapse
A period in which a patient starts using drugs again after a period of sobriety.