I figured I should finally get around to explaining the name of this website. I study, and am fascinated by, mRNA metabolism. mRNA is the messenger molecule, carrying instructions from the DNA locked away in the nucleus, to the molecular building sites – the ribosomes – where it can be translated into a functional protein. During the production of the mRNA message – a long molecule crafted from bases very similar to DNA – the message is given a cap at one end and a tail at the other, with the information stored between the two – given the finished mRNA molecule distinctive features. Given that “Capped and tailed” rolls off the tongue pretty well, and suggests a finished message I thought I’d call this website that. It is currently a misnomer of course, since I don’t seem to be able to find the time to write or update this anywhere near often enough.