Over the past week or so, a lot has gone on here at Mahyco, mostly in the lab where as always we work sincerely but not seriously :)
This week I had the ultimate biological epiphany: not every organism has chromosomes in pairs of two. Now imagine me, sitting in front of someone that clearly knows what they are talking about, and blatantly saying, "No, that's not possible. That's not a thing."
And then Sheetal would sigh and flip over the sheet of paper, starting a third or fourth attempt at explaining what should have been an easy topic.
"Now...when you say 22 chromosomes in a set, you mean 22 pairs of chromosomes in a set."
"No, I mean 22 chromosomes make a set."
"Nahi! But chromosomes have to come in pairs or it won't even be a living thing!" I was getting really frustrated. I just assumed she was talking in theory, not in actual living things.
And this same argument carried on until finally, she said, "Only in humans! Humans have pairs of chromosomes, not plants!"
And then I had the epiphany of the decade, suddenly understanding the concept of polyploidy.
Thank you so much for putting up with me, Sheetal!
For another glimpse of what goes on here in the lab, imagine this:
In a multi-million dollar laboratory, up two flights of polished red stairs, hidden behind an elaborate security check-point system, past lines of computers, digital DNA freezers, turning right past the industry's most advanced laboratory robot, in front of two electrophoresis DNA chip-reading machines: you will find four apron-clad scientist popping a sheet of bubble wrap.
We have loads of fun here in the lab :)
The last highlight of my week is the Olympics. As I write this, we are watching the Indian archery team face off against the Japanese in the first round. It was a suspenseful match, and came down to a shoot-out after the 24-shot round was declared a tie. (won in the last stretch by the Japanese)
The coverage of the Olympics here is absolutely spectacular! They show every event, even the most unknown ones. I have found this type of coverage much more appealing, because you learn new games and find perfect strangers to cheer for until the end.
India has a good chance at gold this year in several events, and I can't wait to experience the excitement for them as the games continue.
This week I had the ultimate biological epiphany: not every organism has chromosomes in pairs of two. Now imagine me, sitting in front of someone that clearly knows what they are talking about, and blatantly saying, "No, that's not possible. That's not a thing."
And then Sheetal would sigh and flip over the sheet of paper, starting a third or fourth attempt at explaining what should have been an easy topic.
"Now...when you say 22 chromosomes in a set, you mean 22 pairs of chromosomes in a set."
"No, I mean 22 chromosomes make a set."
"Nahi! But chromosomes have to come in pairs or it won't even be a living thing!" I was getting really frustrated. I just assumed she was talking in theory, not in actual living things.
And this same argument carried on until finally, she said, "Only in humans! Humans have pairs of chromosomes, not plants!"
And then I had the epiphany of the decade, suddenly understanding the concept of polyploidy.
Thank you so much for putting up with me, Sheetal!
For another glimpse of what goes on here in the lab, imagine this:
In a multi-million dollar laboratory, up two flights of polished red stairs, hidden behind an elaborate security check-point system, past lines of computers, digital DNA freezers, turning right past the industry's most advanced laboratory robot, in front of two electrophoresis DNA chip-reading machines: you will find four apron-clad scientist popping a sheet of bubble wrap.
We have loads of fun here in the lab :)
The last highlight of my week is the Olympics. As I write this, we are watching the Indian archery team face off against the Japanese in the first round. It was a suspenseful match, and came down to a shoot-out after the 24-shot round was declared a tie. (won in the last stretch by the Japanese)
The coverage of the Olympics here is absolutely spectacular! They show every event, even the most unknown ones. I have found this type of coverage much more appealing, because you learn new games and find perfect strangers to cheer for until the end.
India has a good chance at gold this year in several events, and I can't wait to experience the excitement for them as the games continue.
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