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Students Corner
Department of Genetic Engineering &
Biotechnology
University of Dhaka
Dhaka- 1000, Bangladesh |
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By-Mustak
Ibn Ayub
Second Year BSc. (Hons, 2001-2002),
Student, Second Batch |
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| Seven
days with Watson and Crick
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It was a rare
opportunity for me to be so intimate with the two charismatic figures in
the field of molecular biology - James D. Watson and Francis Crick. I
could almost feel the passion of their famous comment "We have
discovered the secrets of life" as I came almost close to their
unparallel discovery of DNA that really contains the secrets of life.
The famous double helix that they created using steel plates and sheets
were in front of me. As Watson and Crick were unable to explain, I took
the job on behalf of them to explain the model of DNA to the curious
people. I could even see in my mind the smiling faces of the two
legendary men in silent admiration for my effort in explaining the
structure of the DNA molecule.
I got this opportunity to come close these two legends on the 50 years
celebration of the DNA structure - DNA50 (1953-2003). It was organized
by the British Council, Bangladesh, together with the Department of
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of Dhaka University and took place
at the British Council auditorium in Dhaka. Together with my classmates
I took part in the celebration. So now you understand that I did not
actually meet Watson and Crick in person. It is not possible indeed.
Because Crick died a few years ago and Watson is very busy with his job
as the President of Cold Spring Harbour Laboratory, USA. So at present
there is no chance to get these two men together. But I could really
feel their presence within myself while I was in the exhibition.
The exhibition hall was decorated with some big posters where the
history of DNA discovery and the landmarks in this field in the last 50
years (1953 - 2003) were depicted very attractively. From the Department
of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology we presented some projects
related to genetic engineering and molecular biology. The most
fascinating was the isolation of DNA from banana. People who came to the
exhibition were astonished to see the strings of the DNA molecule with
naked eyes. Someone asked me a very interesting question " Can I see the
double helix here?" Another very interesting part was the presence of
the famous detective Sherlock Holmes with the most modern crime
investigation technology ' DNA forensics'. It attracted people of all
ages. The booth of Sherlock Holmes was decorated in a mysterious way. A
dummy dead body was laid on one side from where Sherlock Holmes
collected biological samples like hair, chipped nails etc. DNA was
isolated from these samples. Then with the help of Polymerase Chain
Reaction (PCR) DNA was amplified to a large quantity. The DNA was then
analysed to detect the perpetrator of the murder. Everything was
presented in a dramatic fashion. An officer of crime investigation
department showed great interest in this technology.
Students of different institutions came to the exhibition and became
intimate with the most flourishing science of the new century. The
potential of DNA to change the world astonished them and they felt
excited in this development. Not only the students but also the people
of different occupations came to the exhibition and showed curiosity
about different sectors of DNA application. We had some posters
presenting the research on ' Salt Tolerant Rice', 'Flood Tolerant Jute'
in our country. We were proud to say that some of our teachers are
involved in these research programs.
My job was to explain the posters on Watson and Crick and the landmarks
of DNA. It gave me the chance to reach people with the importance of
DNA. The exhibition was on for seven days and I was there all the seven
days. Every new day made me feel that I had come more close to Watson
and Crick. Their unparallel discovery, the 'DNA' contained their
presence. They are alive in their discovery. So is it not being with
Watson and Crick when I am in front of DNA?
Mustak Ibn Ayub
E-mail: clingb@hotmail.com |
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