***** Vol.4 Chap.13 Change of direction *****
With that vision in mind, JB embraced her research with a vengeance. She continued the weekly meetings with Dr. Magaret Tomash but had discreetly excluded Mark Hymann in the research meetings on account that his area really was in a different aspect from the current efforts.
Mark was left by himself and primarily spent his time in looking for another post-doc position as JB plainly told him that his support would be terminated by the end of the semester.
He tried in vain several times to send an email to Frank’s private email address detailing all the events that had transpired, but had never gotten a single reply. Eventually, Mark gave up on contacting Frank as well. So, Mark kept a low profile in the department and went about furiously looking for another post-doc position.
During one of the research meetings, JB asked, “Dr. Tomash, if what we have discovered about the genome is truly related to the violent behaviors, what do you surmise is the real mechanics within a person? In other words, what is the link between the DNA and the observed behavior?”
“First, we are collaborators now. Call me Margaret.”
“Sure, if you are comfortable with that.”
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“JB, what you are asking is what the rest of the scientific community is asking. I really don’t have any answers for you. I only know about genetic. I am not a physiologist.”
“Hmm.”
“What you really need is to collaborate with a physiologist or, better still, an endocrinologist.” JB raised her brow.
“Can you explain more in layman’s terms?” JB was intrigued.
“Basically, the DNA, when expressed, controls the cell functions by synthesizing specific proteins. This is called gene expression. The protein synthesis is a result of two major processes called gene transcription. In this process, the DNA coding is transcribed into a complementary RNA strand which can be manipulated, e.g. severed and spliced. The RNA strand, entering the cytoplasm of a cell, directs the synthesis of different proteins…”
JB was totally snowed and utterly lost. In her bewilderment, she commented, “I did not know how complex this is. I thought protein is just something contained in meat and a protein drink I take in the morning.”
“Ha, ha. What I have mentioned is just something very superficial and on the surface. There is a lot of chemistry and biology underneath what I just told you.”
“Okay. What I heard so far is that the DNA, when expressed, causes certain proteins to be manufactured. Do we know what protein is being manufactured by the genes that could have been related to violent behaviors?”
“If I know the answer, I will be rich and famous. I think you should really talk to an endocrinologist.”
Rich and famous. That rang a bell in JB.
“Any suggestions?”
“Well, I heard that Dr. Kendall Tularish is a good endocrinologist at our medical school.”
“Thank you. I will call and talk to him.”
“Do that.”
JB left that meeting with renewed vision. She began to see a new direction for her research, something grand and something that would bring recognition.