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[Trailhead] The Black Helix
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Setavulos
Kilroy

Joined: 06 Mar 2011
Posts: 2

 		Stumbled upon this and decided it was worth a try... I just joined in a few days ago, but have caught up already. I also sent a letter to Bell's Docks, although I don't think I really got anywhere.

My message (which I probably could have thought out better, but it was late when I decided to send one):

Quote:
Good day. I am a journalist from the Telegraph working on an article on local historical landmarks in and around Belfast. I was wondering if you could put me in touch with anybody who could give me any information on the history of Bell's Docks and the facilities available there. If I could also get information about the kinds of average shipments that come in and out of the docks, that would help as well so I could compare the trends over the years of what is shipped by boat.

Thank you very much.

Nicholas Berthold


And the reply:

Quote:
Hi Nicholas,

Information regarding our clients is not available the public, also
shipment information from our clients is not a requirement.

Currently our website is the only resource into the history of Bells
Docks. Sorry I couldn't have been more of a help in this circumstance,
we appreciate your interest.

Regards,
Bell


PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 3:51 pm
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Guest
morningcoffee wrote:
So, yesterday I emailed Bell's Docks...

Quote:
"Dear sir/madam,

I have a shipment that's due to arrive into Bell's Docks on the 11th
March. However, I understand that the docks are currently closed for
renovations. Could you perhaps help me with some information about how
I can receive the shipment while the docks are closed? Will it be
diverted elsewhere? Unfortunately I haven't received any information
or instructions about how my shipment will be dealt with during the
closure, so I'm sure you can understand that I am somewhat concerned.

The shipment is being handled by Global Line Logistics. I can provide
a tracking number if necessary.

Thank you for your help."


Today I got a mail back saying I should contact my shipping provider. So I sent almost exactly the same email to Global Line Logistics.


Their response:

Quote:
To investigate your issues further we would require the tracking id number.

Thanks,
IT Support



I replied with the tracking number that we got. Their reply...


Quote:
For security reasons we cross referenced your email address against the tracking number and our system has indicated that you are not registered under this clients account.

Can you please confirm how you got hold of this tracking number?


Please note we've have passed your details on to our internal fraudulent team and they may be in contact.


Regards,

IT Support



Dammit! Laughing

My response...


Quote:
The client in question has authorised me to deal with the shipment. The tracking number was given directly to me by them.

Your fraud team are welcome to get in contact with me.

What would be necessary for me to prove that I have been authorised by the client to deal with this shipment?
Please let me know what documents or proof you will accept, and I will provide it.


I haven't had a reply yet.


Our thinking on the IRC channel is that we have the UKSRI invoice from the Parcelvault package. That has an official letterhead... plus a signature. So we were hoping that they would ask to see some documentation or authorisation that we could easily forge using that invoice as a template, and potentially gain access to the shipment.



Also, I was tempted to reply and ask if they could pass my details on to a real team rather than a fraudulent one, but I resisted the temptation to be obnoxious Wink


You may also try providing them with the Jess' email listed on the UKSRI Intranet, perhaps that is the email it was registered with, and if so, you having the proper email associated to provide may be all the proof you need...

PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2011 4:39 pm
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dreemxweever
Greenhorn

Joined: 02 Mar 2011
Posts: 6

 		RNA Strand
Kinda suprised nobody's mentioned the paper with the RNA strand drawn on it. Well, here goes. I'm by no means a science expert, so if anyone has any corrections or other thoughts on this, feel free to speak your mind.

Here's what I've come up with:

So. The drawing included with the parcel is that of an RNA strand. RNA, along with DNA and Protiens, make up life itself. This is where it gets ridiculous (following explanation is a lot of science stuff).

RNA is composed of things called Nucleotides, which are structures made of different molecules. These Nucleotides all have a Nucleobase. The main Nucleobases involved in RNA are Cytosine (C), Adenine (A), Guanine (G) and Uracil (U). Each Nucleotide contains a Nucleobase, a Ribose sugar, and a Phosphate group.

Ribose is an organic compound with the structure shown here: Ribose

Each corner of the structure serves as a 'position', numbered 1-5, starting with the vertical line on the right and numbered clockwise and ending with the vertical line on the left numbered as 5. The 'O' is never numbered.( Explanation Made Simple Also a good basis to look at throughout this explanation)
Don't pay attention to anything around the Ribose sugar (The pentagon in the middle labeled 'Ribose') just yet.

In RNA, several things are attached to the Ribose. At the '1' position, a base is attatched (either G, U, A or C), then at the '3' position, a phosphate group is attached.

Since RNA is composed of multiple Ribose sugars, They are connected in a strand by the Phosphate group (PG). The PG from the original Ribose sugar (RS1) is connected to the next Ribose sugar (RS2) at the '5' position of RS2, then the RS2's PG (the one at '3' position of RS2) is connected to the next Ribose sugar at it's '5' position, making the strand continue forever.
(I know this explanation is really confusing, so look at the picture I linked to earlier to help.)

Now to the interesting stuff. (make sure you rotate the drawing so the dates on the bottom)

Jessica's RNA strand (lets call it 'CGAC Strand' from the order of the bases) looks to show just barely 4 Ribose sugars. The very top sugar looks to be connected to a Cytosine base (the very top molecule of the Cytosine base is cut off, but looking at Cytosine's structure, it's probably NH2) and then to a PG, which is then connected to the next sugar. The next sugar connects to another base, this time a Guanine base, and then to another phosphate group, then to another sugar which connects to an Adenine base. The Adenine base is circled and noted 'Must Retest!' That Ribose sugar is again connected to another PG, then to another Ribose sugar which connects to a second Cytosine base. That Ribose sugar is connected to yet another PG, but after that it looks like the drawing just continues.

Now from what I learned in Biology and Chemistry, the RNA strand is going to continue from this (or to this, this certain picture could be anywhere in an RNA strand) and not necessarily with the same order of bases. That's beside the point. The point is, Jessica drew this certain 'piece' of the RNA strand for a reason. That reason I have yet to find out.

A few things about this picture catch my attention:
-I already addressed this, how this is only a part of the entire strand
-The bases aren't properly drawn, as they're missing most of their carbons. This could be because she was in a rush or it's just an attempt to abbreviate the drawing.
-Also already addressed, the Adenine base is circled and noted. Questions arise from this:
--How exactly do you test a base molecule in an RNA Strand?
--What needs to be tested?
--Is there something wrong with that part of the strand? A mutation perhaps?


If anyone has any insight to any of this, it would be great. Some light needs to be shed on this.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:27 am
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swish
Boot


Joined: 12 Mar 2009
Posts: 59
Location: Sweden

 		biobot of nanosize?
dreemxweever, i have no insight and NO knowledge in these matters, only wild speculation. but maybe you could help me; is it at all possible that the drawing shows the basic make up of an nanosized biobot, that can alter human DNA?

i'm very inspired by the Morgellons disease controversy/conspiracy theory since yesterday evening, it's really science-fictiony. there are many different theories of what causes Morgellons, but two of them say that genetically modified organisms are the cause, either from agricultural use or from the development of bioweapons. some even think they were spread deliberatly to alter our DNA or for mind-control uses. like some parasites, for instance toxoplasma, it can alter the host's personality. they can survive in the environment, multiply in hosts (animals and humans)
the organisms are made up from parts of nematodes, bacteria, parasites and whatnot.
Quote:
1,3 glukans with an inherent very strong helix-forming character

from: http://www.morgellonsexposed.com/Throwback.htm

remember in Jess blog, (http://jesshjournal.blogspot.com/2007/05/masouleh.html) she mentions a green slime in a lake, which worries the locals, and she samples to test later? 'due to globalisation' as her mentor put it. i was thinking, what happened with that? was it not just blue-green algae/cytobacteria?
EDIT: cyanobacteria

i read one witness of the Morgellons said her garden, her house and everything was covered in something green, biofilm. and then she got sick with Morgellons.
_________________
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:01 am
Last edited by swish on Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:03 am; edited 1 time in total
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morningcoffee
Decorated


Joined: 24 Nov 2008
Posts: 277
Location: England

 		Re: RNA Strand
dreemxweever wrote:
Kinda suprised nobody's mentioned the paper with the RNA strand drawn on it. Well, here goes. I'm by no means a science expert, so if anyone has any corrections or other thoughts on this, feel free to speak your mind.


We had quite a few discussions in IRC about the RNA, but I think no-one bothered to post because we really didn't come up with anything useful at all. I know absolutely nothing about science, so I can't be any help with the technical side of the diagram (I am so stupid when it comes to science that I had to ask my flatmate what RNA even is!).

However, I did notice that on Jess' calendar, 27th April 2010 is labelled as "Animal trials: Serum animal testing starts". The RNA diagram is, of course, labelled 28th April 2010.
Then in video log 0128, on 30th April 2010, Jessica says that she increased the rate of tests, and after "a few mishaps" she thinks she's identified "the missing element to my formula calculations".


EDIT :: Just found this in Appendix 1.2 -
Quote:

The project testing will consist of mainly lab experiments based on theoretical knowledge. No human/animal testing will be allowed due to the unknown nature of the serum being developed. This is due to strict UKSRI rules on testing procedure and UKSRI guidelines on the Perseverance of Life.


Why and how was she doing animal testing if it's forbidden by UKSRI?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 2:45 am
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bryanflurry
Unfettered


Joined: 02 Aug 2007
Posts: 477
Location: Mississauga, Canada

 		Re: RNA Strand
I am under the impression that Jessica would do anything for her research(testing it on animals/herself) and Robert is against it, thus slowing her down.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 6:36 am
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thebruce
Dances With Wikis


Joined: 16 Aug 2004
Posts: 6899
Location: Kitchener, Ontario

 		minor update: ZIP files can be uploaded to the wiki now. But, if it's just images or standard media, please upload them individually (as well, at least).
Currently the wiki supports uploading: KMZ, MP3, PDF, FLV, DOC, ZIP
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:41 am
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docwho2100
Unfettered

Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 327

 		Re: RNA Strand
I actually have been VERY interested in the RNA strand and such - especially when the UKSRI proposal call came out and stem cell research, chiral molecules and such were mentioned... and Jessica's research had links of some sort to LSD and herbal/tribal medicines - I latched onto the Drug synergy idea

the bio people - what do you know about chiral switching, racemic mixtures,and enantiomers? Also - recombinant drugs use RNA/DNA in some way - right?

I am right now leaning that the Black Helix name and reference is more the name of the secret group that IMO is who did the video (ala the symbol) and is linked to the secret base....

But who knows - I do want to try and look more at the "formula" aspect and the medical links....

morningcoffee wrote:
dreemxweever wrote:
Kinda suprised nobody's mentioned the paper with the RNA strand drawn on it. Well, here goes. I'm by no means a science expert, so if anyone has any corrections or other thoughts on this, feel free to speak your mind.


We had quite a few discussions in IRC about the RNA, but I think no-one bothered to post because we really didn't come up with anything useful at all. I know absolutely nothing about science, so I can't be any help with the technical side of the diagram (I am so stupid when it comes to science that I had to ask my flatmate what RNA even is!).

However, I did notice that on Jess' calendar, 27th April 2010 is labelled as "Animal trials: Serum animal testing starts". The RNA diagram is, of course, labelled 28th April 2010.
Then in video log 0128, on 30th April 2010, Jessica says that she increased the rate of tests, and after "a few mishaps" she thinks she's identified "the missing element to my formula calculations".


EDIT :: Just found this in Appendix 1.2 -
Quote:

The project testing will consist of mainly lab experiments based on theoretical knowledge. No human/animal testing will be allowed due to the unknown nature of the serum being developed. This is due to strict UKSRI rules on testing procedure and UKSRI guidelines on the Perseverance of Life.


Why and how was she doing animal testing if it's forbidden by UKSRI?


PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:54 am
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docwho2100
Unfettered

Joined: 21 Sep 2010
Posts: 327

 		Re: RNA Strand - Robert
I was wondering about that - in the restored calendar there was that one month at the beginning where she would meet fairly often with Robert - then those meetings dropped off (or she stopped listing them at very least)

bryanflurry wrote:
I am under the impression that Jessica would do anything for her research(testing it on animals/herself) and Robert is against it, thus slowing her down.


PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 10:56 am
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velvetworks
Boot

Joined: 09 Jan 2011
Posts: 21
Location: NRW, Germany

 		The hidden base has just been made public oon the main site of the game. So let's see whats next, aye?

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 11:57 am
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Minz
Decorated

Joined: 12 Apr 2009
Posts: 183

 		Robert Watt's picture has also been put up on the UKSRI site.
Might be one of the persons showing up on the Bell's Docks webcams on the 11th.

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:28 pm
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ironnikki
Unfettered


Joined: 13 Jul 2009
Posts: 502
Location: Iowa City, IA

 		I guess this is a good point for me to step back in. I'll (hopefully) be graduating in May with a degree in Biochemistry, so I should be able to help out here.

Quote:
the bio people - what do you know about chiral switching, racemic mixtures,and enantiomers? Also - recombinant drugs use RNA/DNA in some way - right?


Chirality results from the presence of enantiomers. An enantiomer is a non-superimposable mirror image of a molecule. An example of this are your two hands: no matter how you turn them around, you cannot superimpose one on top of the other. In fact, the word "chiral" comes from the word "hand" in another language (which one escapes me...)

Not all molecules are enantiomeric. As far as drugs go, chirality is extremely important. For those who are familiar with thalidomide, the entire incident was caused by the chiral nature of the molecule. For those who aren't, one mirror image of the molecule is a potent sedative, and the other is a major teratogen. Racemic mixtures (a mixture of both enantiomers) were prescribed to pregnant women before the teratogenic nature was known, and it resulted in severe birth defects.

I'm not familiar with the activity of recombinant drugs, but I can speak a bit about recombinance in general. It basically refers to changes in DNA sequences. A recombination event is typically when two strands of DNA interact, and may result in part of the DNA of one strand on the other, and vice versa. This phenomenon is also known as "crossing over," and is the primary reason for variance between members of the same species (i.e: why we don't all look the same.)

As far as the RNA sequence, I'm rather at a loss about what we're to do with it. If she was studying recombinant drugs, it could be that it may have been a targeting sequence for the drug to recognize, but 4 nucleotides is too general a sequence the kind of specificity that such a drug would require. I think that if we're supposed to do something with this sequence, we're either missing some more pieces to the sequence, or the sequence itself is not important.

Any other questions, feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to answer!
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Played: Intimation, Purity Towers, Vanessa Atalanta (sort of), TV III

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 12:46 pm
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the-mental-one
Boot

Joined: 06 Mar 2011
Posts: 25
ironnikki wrote:
I guess this is a good point for me to step back in. I'll (hopefully) be graduating in May with a degree in Biochemistry, so I should be able to help out here.

Quote:
the bio people - what do you know about chiral switching, racemic mixtures,and enantiomers? Also - recombinant drugs use RNA/DNA in some way - right?


Chirality results from the presence of enantiomers. An enantiomer is a non-superimposable mirror image of a molecule. An example of this are your two hands: no matter how you turn them around, you cannot superimpose one on top of the other. In fact, the word "chiral" comes from the word "hand" in another language (which one escapes me...)

Not all molecules are enantiomeric. As far as drugs go, chirality is extremely important. For those who are familiar with thalidomide, the entire incident was caused by the chiral nature of the molecule. For those who aren't, one mirror image of the molecule is a potent sedative, and the other is a major teratogen. Racemic mixtures (a mixture of both enantiomers) were prescribed to pregnant women before the teratogenic nature was known, and it resulted in severe birth defects.

I'm not familiar with the activity of recombinant drugs, but I can speak a bit about recombinance in general. It basically refers to changes in DNA sequences. A recombination event is typically when two strands of DNA interact, and may result in part of the DNA of one strand on the other, and vice versa. This phenomenon is also known as "crossing over," and is the primary reason for variance between members of the same species (i.e: why we don't all look the same.)

As far as the RNA sequence, I'm rather at a loss about what we're to do with it. If she was studying recombinant drugs, it could be that it may have been a targeting sequence for the drug to recognize, but 4 nucleotides is too general a sequence the kind of specificity that such a drug would require. I think that if we're supposed to do something with this sequence, we're either missing some more pieces to the sequence, or the sequence itself is not important.

Any other questions, feel free to ask, and I'll do my best to answer!


My degree was in Molecular biology and I did work for a while researching prostate cancer diagnosis in a lab in Finland including the use of phage display techniques where we inserted RNA / DNA into bacterial RNA / DNA so that specific protein structures (in this instance PSA) would be present on the outside of the bacterium.

One other interesting note, maybe anyway, some enantiomers allow for the pharmaceutical companies to make more money. Basically they patent the drug in one form and sell it until the patent runs out and now everyone can make that drug so the profit margins decrease. If there is a safe enantiomer or a different isomer with the same effects they can then patent that molecule and market it as the new and improved version of the drug. Sometimes it is improved by removing one or other of the enantiomers from a racemic mixture (certainly would have helped in the case of thalidomide as mentioned above), sometimes they've just improved the delivery mechanism, sometimes they'll change a couple of things around in a way that makes absolutely no therapeutic difference but does allow them to patent it as a new molecule...

I did look long and hard at the RNA sequence and was also left thinking that we need more information if we're supposed to do anything with it. It's such a small piece of the sequence and completely out of context as it is. So I'm in agreement with ironnikki we need more to go on here. I'll have another look at it to see if I can think of anything else but currently I have nothing much to add - as morningcoffee already noted I'm sure there must be a link between the circled A and the "missing element to my formula calculations" mentioned in video log 0128

I'm finding this all quite interesting and a little frustrating at the same time Wink

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:24 pm
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ironnikki
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Joined: 13 Jul 2009
Posts: 502
Location: Iowa City, IA
the-mental-one wrote:
My degree was in Molecular biology and I did work for a while researching prostate cancer diagnosis in a lab in Finland including the use of phage display techniques where we inserted RNA / DNA into bacterial RNA / DNA so that specific protein structures (in this instance PSA) would be present on the outside of the bacterium.


Not to send the thread off track, but that sounds pretty interesting! The lab that I'm working in now is studying one-carbon transfers, particularly folate and the enzymes that are involved. I've been mostly working on the DNA side of things, while other students have been working with proteins. I've lost track of how many PCRs I've run over the past two semesters Laughing
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PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 1:54 pm
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Zobot257
Entrenched

Joined: 21 Feb 2011
Posts: 805
Location: Wandering...

 		Hey, I am back after a bit of a hiatus. Sorry about that. I have mostly caugt up and noticed a appointment for March 11th on Jessica's UKSRI calander: "Take taxi to airport". Did anyone else notice that? Do we know where she was going to head?

I am probably terribly behind, but it seems like the next part may end up sendin Locals in Ireland to Belfast, you know? Once/if we can get something concrete about it...

PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2011 5:00 pm
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