Sinasabing ang puso ay may sariling mata at kayang kilalanin ang taong mahal mo sa hindi maipaliwanag na paraan. Ngunit, pa'no kung ang taong kasama mo ngayon ay ginaya ang hitsura, pag-uugali, ang buong pagkatao ng taong mahal mo? Kaya pa rin bang...
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KHAMYA'S POV
It's been weeks now since I arrived here in UNFRC, pronounced by the people here as 'Unfreak' but that was meant for a joke but since then, it's called that way because it's easier than to say it by letters. But formally, UNFRC stands for United Nation's Fringe Research Center. It has over six hundred best physicists, chemists, geneticists and all scientists. UNFRC single-handedly employs more than half of the world's brightest minds on earth—Germans, Japanese, Italians, Dutch, you name it. Its scientists represent over five hundred universities and sixty nationalities. It's the most sophisticated lab in the world but it's unknown for civilians.
They discovered an unknown group of specie in west Africa, and since it's extinct they decided to replicate and rebirth the specie. I was hesitant at first, but the challenge and learnings convinced me to participate.
I, together with Dr. Ryne Greyson, a young and brilliant filipino-american geneticist, were sent to Africa to inspect the specie. But after gathering all the necessary datas, the itinerary changed and we were sent to the main lab. An action that wasn't part of our contract. They said it was part of their plan, since we'll be working for a secret service. I disagreed but then, I changed my mind.
Now, we are here inside the most high tech lab in the world with the most brilliant scientists under supervision of the great Russian-American microbiologist Dr.Adrian Chepovetszky who's known for his contributions in anti-bioterrorism.
"Bringing back a wipe out specie is a great challenge and what makes it more challenging is that we won't be doing an ordinary cloning." Dr.Chepovetszky said when he gathered us all scientists that were involved in this project we call "regenesis".
"The cloning process usually involves removing genetic information, known as DNA, from a cell taken from one animal and placing this into an unfertilized egg that has had its own DNA removed. This egg is then artificially stimulated to start developing into an embryo and placed into a surrogate mother." our colleague who is a black american microbiologist said.
"Dr. Rachel Woods is right. What we'll be doing is, well be injecting the improvised DNA from that extinct specie and we'll inject it to a family of that specie. For example, if puma were extinct, we'll get a strain from that specie and improvise it so it will be compatible to a cheetah or a tiger which belongs to the same family which is cat."
"Is that even possible?" A japanese geneticist asked.
"I believe it is. And that's why we are called scientist, right? We are meant to discover new and unfathomable knowledge. Of course, we'll undergo a lot of trial and error, so you have to be patient. Any idea? Dr.Khamya Rafiq, what can you say about this?"
I was surprised, and I felt my heart beating hard as the attention diverted to me. I cleared my throat. "The idea is brilliant. Jaw-dropping to be exact. Next to impossible. Challenging. But I think you're right. We are meant to discover unfathomable things, to make fringe science true. M-molecular Cloning is one way of studying the specific proteins involved in cell division. And we all know a gene contains the instructions for how to make a protein. By mutating a gene, the protein's shape, size and function could all be affected. Mutating a gene changes its instructions. Once a mutated gene is created and incorporated into a cell's DNA, the cell replicates, creating many cells containing the mutant gene. The cells with the changed gene can then be compared to normal cells." I explained.
They were silent for a moment. Then Dr.Chepovetszky clapped his hand. "Excellent Dr.Rafiq. Indeed, I'm not mistaken with my decision to hire you."
I could feel my cheeks burning red. I chortled. "But that was just my theory sir. The mutated gene I mean." I stammered.
"But I think that was great." He answered.
"I agree. Geez, I can't believe you're so brilliant Khamya, I mean Dr.Rafiq." Ryne said, correcting himself in the latter since we agreed to be formal when we are surrounded by other people.
I slowly bowed my head in shyness.
"Dr.Rafiq, can you come over here in the board and express your ide?" Dr.Chepovetszky said and I followed.
"W-well-" I stuttered in nervousness.
"Relax, we won't bite you." Ryne said. I know its just a joke but I'm thankful to him since it helped me eased up.
"This is just my hypothetic procedure. At first, we need to know the class and family of that extinct specie then took a sample from it. Then make a mutant gene and incorporate it into the DNA of a family cell." I started to draw illustrations in the board while explaining to them and my anxiety vanished as my geek gene kicked in. "First, we'll chemically "cut" the gene we want to study from the DNA strand, attach target gene to a small, circular piece of DNA.Together, this is called a plasmid, which serves as the vehicle for transporting the gene.Of course you know that already. Then put the plasmid into an E. coli cell (or another type of bacteria). As each E. coli cell divides, each new cell contains a copy of the plasmid containing the gene. Replicate a lot of E. coli cellsfor trial and error. Once the E. coli population has reached our desired number of cells, break apart the E. Coli cells using a chemical that dissolves the cell wall.Filter the mixture of broken E. coli cells and collect only the plasmids containing the gene.Then put the plasmids into a family cells. Of course the type of cell varies depending on the research. Over time, the plasmid will be incorporated into the host cell DNA and the new gene will change the proteins produced.Of course, to rapidly alter the genes and features of the host, the host itself will be completely submerged in Pseudotroxyl Z-90."
When I finished my expanation, they were all silent and in awe. I even wondered why. Then after a minute or so, an american geneticist spoke.
"But that chemical is dangerous. It's under improvement. It's one of the fringe chemical solution in the world."
"I believe in our chemists skills and knowlege Dr.Logan. So I'm sure they can come up with a good solution to that since it's one of the key player to this project." I nod at the four chemists on the right side of the table and they smiled at me.
"Very well then. If her theory is right then we have a lot of work to do. Now, move your a$*es and cram your mind s we could start. Let's all work together. Meeting adjourned." Dr. Chepovetszky said and we all did our designated works.
On the other hand, behind those screens,are people with pair of mischievous eyes and evil grins.
