Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site mcnc.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!akgua!mcnc!jwb From: jwb@mcnc.UUCP (Jack W. Buchanan Jr.) Newsgroups: net.bio Subject: Re: Purpose of bio newsgroup Message-ID: <1988@mcnc.UUCP> Date: Wed, 14-Mar-84 12:04:11 EST Article-I.D.: mcnc.1988 Posted: Wed Mar 14 12:04:11 1984 Date-Received: Thu, 15-Mar-84 07:23:23 EST References: <228@masscomp.UUCP> Organization: Microelectronics Ctr. of NC; RTP, NC Lines: 16 I agree that the field of biology is diverse. However, this does not mean that there aren't common interests, in addition to the obvious uses of answering questions from non specialists, etc. For example, Paul Dolber mentions the study of impulse propagation in the developing heart. I study impulse propaga- tion in the adult heart, and would submit that is not all that different. Although I am in a Department of Medicine, our group uses Guinea pigs, pigs, and dogs, as well as computer simulations. Although the ultimate application is understanding things about man, I would submit that the distinction between research in "biology" and research in "medicine" is somewhat artificial at times In addition to the above relatively common research, we, and others are beginn- ing to study impulse propagation in excitable membranes as a model for potential biomolecular electronic devices. If this goes anywhere, an interface with groups more in the usenet mainstream would be essential. I still think this group has hope. Jack Buchanan University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill