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Science
has fascinated me right from my school days.
This fascination has only increased with the passage of time, so much so
that I now want to spend a lifetime delving into its deep mysteries, mysteries
that are slowly unfolding themselves as
one hears of the stupendous strides made by researchers, and specially so in
the field of microbiology.
It
was 1994 and the very beginning of school for me. St. Xavier’s was the name of my school, and
it took me through my three R’s- -reading, (w)riting and (a)rithmetic. Science as a subject was introduced in grade
III and since then the wonders of science have not ceased to delight me. Scientific explanations for everyday
happenings were eye-openers that often simplified complex stuff. Geology as a subject was added to the school
curriculum, bringing new insight and knowledge of the world around me. By the time Biology and Astronomy became a
part of my study in school, I knew that Science had me hooked for life.
The
wonders that science unfolded truly mesmerized me and it seemed that there was
so much to learn, so much waiting to be discovered, new knowledge waiting to be
harnessed and I wanted to be part of it.
I got myself equipped with a laboratory at home, nothing fancy,
something rather small, but enough to let me experiment and learn new stuff, even
verify the old at a pace that I could dictate. I participated in the Dr. Homi
Baba Young Scientist Examination at national level in year 2004 and at various
school science projects and exhibitions, and I knew that this was where I
wanted to be, immersed in the fascinating world of science.
Fascinated as I was with science,
the introduction of Biology as another subject at school, opened new doors of
knowledge. It was the time of discovery
of the genome, the stem cells and DNA substitution. This had me enthralled and I gleaned what
knowledge I could from Encyclopedias, surfing the internet, and TV channels
like the Discovery, Animal Planet,
and the National Geographic. I read
books and journals and yet there was more to learn and more find out.
Amazing were the discoveries made in the field of
genetics, some of them truly mind boggling with the vistas and possibilities
that they opened up. I want to be a part
of this. I want to be there opening new
doors in
genetics, cellular biology and immunity, to be a
part of the learning process, to be a part of the discovery. It is an exciting world out there with
knowledge in microbiology making giant strides and I want to match my
strides with theirs.
In
year 2008 commenced my Bachelors of Science in Microbiology. It was a big
moment which set off my journey in life science; working with prokaryotes and
lower Eukaryotes I began understanding the base of life, understanding how the
life evolved from these simple yet complex organisms into the more complex and compound
living species on this planet. A microbiology section had been added to my Laboratory.
I
could envision the journey of life in my curriculums and understanding its multifarious
principles in lab sessions. Further in
this course I was introduced to diversified branches of life science and medicine
Immunology, Genetics, medical microbiology and biotechnology. I had now comprehended
the knowledge and recognized hard work of the scientist and their collaboration.
Mystery of Life science was slowly unwinding itself.
I was hooked for a life time with life science
more over I had to take a stand and determine which field I shall pursue for my
Masters. During the graduation I learned was how functioning of cell, how it
evolved from prokaryotes into complex
eukaryotic species we know today, the pathogens and the defense of Immune
system to prevent infection and the host-parasite interaction, the biochemical and
physiological process of the microbes which yield most of the fermented and
pharmaceutical products. I has to choose between genetics and stem cells.
Genetics
all I had understood about life has functioned at molecular and genetical levels
it’s been one of the most brainstorming thoughts in my mind how did a biomolecule,
DNA evolved as a core genetic material which made the cell function and even
controlled their activities. I wanted to know more. Study of Molecular bases of
life was a field of deep interest, which could provide me the deep insights of
the relation of genes with function genes with protein synthesis and of proteins
with functions.
Stem
cells, on the other hand would make me understand the differentiation of a cell
from a unicellular zygote into a multicellular organism with a complex organ
system. The differentiation of progenitors into specific cells which form
tissues and organs. The science of stem cell could cure degenerative disease
and help treat them. Study of these stem cells can help understand the
organization of organs, physiology and division of labor better.
I
was overwhelmed by this conflicts in my mind; which one to choose? Genetics, cellular
biology, molecular biology? or Stem cells, cellular biology, regenerative medicines?
It was hard to choose I wanted to work on cancer research but I also wanted to
find a study and cure degenerative disease. Then I realized the question was
not about what I wanted to do the question is what I needed to study to achieve
my goals. Goals? Since the time I was introduced to Science my goal to be the part
of the learning process, to be the part of the discovery!
I
now had my goal in front of me; I recollected a memory of working in the lab
with an E coli strain DH5a, I was transforming it with plasmid PBR32. I could
recollect my mentor talking about the discovery of plasmid and the advantage it
provided in genetics and biotechnology. Joshua Lederberg; discovered the F
plasmid in E coli. His work has helped scientist understand the bacterial
genetics and how the pathogens develop resistance of antibiotics. Joshua
Lederberg was an American Molecular biologist. Since the day I came across the
Discovery in genetics since then I wanted to open doors for genetics and watch
myself taking giant strides.
Molecular
Biology and Human genetics was the Subject I chose for my Master’s program for
year 2012 at my alma mater Manipal Life Science Centre at Manipal University. And so there will be a Molecular biology section at PLSL soon...
