In October of last year, amidst the anguishing preparation for prof exams, I stumbled upon the e-poster of a guest lecture on "Building an Innovation Ecosystem around Emerging Technologies: A case of Biology from Peshawar" by a Dr. Faisal Khan. The prospect of a bearded guy in a waistcoat doing synthetic biology in Peshawar caught my flitting attention. As my implicit biases made way into the conscious, I couldn't help but reminisce my hopes to pursue genetic engineering as a 10th grader.
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Following exams, as I browsed the internet (RIP Tim Berners-Lee) learning about synthetic biology, my interest piqued. The notion of creating new genome sequences, using the existing ones in nature to create unprecedented biological systems was refreshing, for a mind miserably numbed by the memorization of monotonous clinical protocols. Synthetic Biology is the interdisciplinary science of designing genome sequences so that they behave "according to specification". It applies the knowledge of molecular biology using engineering principles of design-test-build to solve real-world problems. Synthetic biologists have a unique advantage over other engineering disciplines when it comes to design i.e. nature is on their side. After creating a novel genome sequence and installing it in a viable chassis, the biobuilder mutters
"fiat lux" and the design comes into being in all its glory. The cellular nanomachinery takes on the role of executing the meticulously crafted genomic design and making copies automatically unlike typical factory-based production processes.
Whilst contemplating the possibility of undertaking a synbio hometown elective in Peshawar, with too many variables in the equation unknown, self-doubt and cortisol levels were at an all-time high. Much to my dismay, after succeeding in procuring Dr. Faisal's permission through Dr. Asad, a new development came to light. As per the University's policies, hometown electives were exclusively reserved for clinical experience by the elective office. I do not know what prompted me to push the request forward to the Curriculum committee, which they surprisingly approved after mutual assent. I like to believe this approval was a form of divine recompense for the unconditional affection I bestow upon my pet cat.
Have you ever toiled to get hold of something only to find yourself disinterested, almost withdrawn, once you attain it? This was the conundrum I found myself dealing with, when the green signal lit up after much grind. To go or not to go? Suddenly, synthetic biology did not seem appealing, unworthy of valiant effort. Fear is a physiological response to the unknown, to venturing out in uncharted territories, towards trying something new. A reaction that developed as an evolutionary advantage is not advantageous anymore. Had I expressed this irrational unwillingness to my parents, I would probably be binging on Netflix right now. By dodging a repressive evolutionary instinct, I proudly declare my promotion from a
Homo sapiens to a
Homo Deus.
Pro tip: When travelling solo for the first time, ask your mom for help with packing early on. Trying to be a self-assured, independent grown up only results in mom deftly cramming your belongings in the luggage, two hours prior to the departure time, as you helplessly look on. Counterintuitively, that two-hour delay in the flight to Peshawar was much needed; I was in no way prepared to leave on time.
Peshawar is like a mini version of Karachi. Perhaps, miniature would be better fitting. Traffic jams, pollution and scattered settlements (which the denizens attribute to BRT) evoke a familiarity; a city bearing phenotypic semblance but unique in its essence. It also surpasses the country's largest city in morality and does a better job at guarding its inhabitants. One can freely wander through the alleys and streets in peace, without a looming fear of being victimized. Anyone desirous of earning twice as much value for their services should resign themselves to Peshawar where one comes to terms with the reality of a pricy livelihood in the alpha city. Immensely chuffed to have satisfied the raging caffeine cravings since a cup of coffee only cost half the price.
Doing synbio in the lab is as fun as it was reading about it. My initial time was spent imbibing all that was new (almost all was) which included understanding the principles of synbio, biobrick assembly, phylogenetics, BLASTing, use of NGS for precision medicine and carrying out a needs assessment survey. Dr. Faisal encouraged me to identify a problem independently, an issue that can be effectively addressed through synbio. His unconventional method of engaging students, fostering individual academic autonomy and probing but never overtly negating is ideal. .jpg)
They stand corrected when they say that traveling is a brutality. Away from the comforts and familiarity of routine, as reality shifted, I could not have helped but experience a strange sense of derealization. When my breakfast whims were not catered to, I had to resort to sunny side up eggs, something I had long despised. Gradually as the ancestral hunter gatherer instinct kicked in, much to my embarrassment, I found myself gobbling up the roommate's leftover egg. A Karachiite can never be too prepared for temperatures plummeting below 10 °C. Despite donning four layers of clothing, I was constantly shivering to a point that it felt normal. Afterall, it helped with shedding off the calories from all those extra sunny side ups that I had devoured.
Amongst the list of firsts, all of which were realized within a span of three weeks, perhaps the one that I most cherish is the group of people I was lucky to acquaint myself with. From the friends at work to the roommates in the hostel to a stranger who assisted with grocery shopping, they were the most amicable bunch that I have ever come across. Venturing out with friends whom I have merely known for two weeks to sightsee ancient ruins at Takht-i-Bhai, was not even a remote possibility in my wildest dreams.
Regardless of the exhilaration of an adventure, absolute tranquility is only found when snuggling in a personal bed and after having relished home cooked meals, even if it is a sunny side up. I cannot justifiably express my gratitude to the ones who made this possible, my mentors, friends who lend me their winter wear and checked on me daily, family and of course my parents, who did not object once.
I returned almost four months ago and since then, I have proudly established myself as a self-proclaimed goodwill ambassador for Synthetic biology, an appointment that emerged out of necessity when I had to dutifully justify my occupancy in the land of Pakhtuns. Let this be a testimony to the power of serendipity, of happy accidents and how heeding mere coincidences can lead to unimaginable, enriching experiences.
Synthetic biology, an appointment that emerged out of necessity when I had to dutifully justify my occupancy in the land of Pakhtuns. Let this be a testimony to the power of serendipity, of happy accidents and how heeding mere coincidences can lead to unimaginable, enriching experiences.
DISCLAIMER: Copyright belongs to the author. This blog cannot be held responsible for events bearing overt resemblance to any actual occurrences. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of CCIT or AKU.
About the Author
A case of surreptitious serendipity: my synbio elective in the land of Pakhtuns
By Mehdia Nadeem
In October of last year, amidst the anguishing preparation for prof exams, I stumbled upon the e-poster of a guest lecture on "Building an Innovation Ecosystem around Emerging Technologies: A case of Biology from Peshawar" by a Dr. Faisal Khan. The prospect of a bearded guy in a waistcoat doing synthetic biology in Peshawar caught my flitting attention. As my implicit biases made way into the conscious, I couldn't help but reminisce my hopes to pursue genetic engineering as a 10th grader.
Following exams, as I browsed the internet (RIP Tim Berners-Lee) learning about synthetic biology, my interest piqued. The notion of creating new genome sequences, using the existing ones in nature to create unprecedented biological systems was refreshing, for a mind miserably numbed by the memorization of monotonous clinical protocols. Synthetic Biology is the interdisciplinary science of designing genome sequences so that they behave "according to specification". It applies the knowledge of molecular biology using engineering principles of design-test-build to solve real-world problems. Synthetic biologists have a unique advantage over other engineering disciplines when it comes to design i.e. nature is on their side. After creating a novel genome sequence and installing it in a viable chassis, the biobuilder mutters
"fiat lux" and the design comes into being in all its glory. The cellular nanomachinery takes on the role of executing the meticulously crafted genomic design and making copies automatically unlike typical factory-based production processes.
Whilst contemplating the possibility of undertaking a synbio hometown elective in Peshawar, with too many variables in the equation unknown, self-doubt and cortisol levels were at an all-time high. Much to my dismay, after succeeding in procuring Dr. Faisal's permission through Dr. Asad, a new development came to light. As per the University's policies, hometown electives were exclusively reserved for clinical experience by the elective office. I do not know what prompted me to push the request forward to the Curriculum committee, which they surprisingly approved after mutual assent. I like to believe this approval was a form of divine recompense for the unconditional affection I bestow upon my pet cat.
Have you ever toiled to get hold of something only to find yourself disinterested, almost withdrawn, once you attain it? This was the conundrum I found myself dealing with, when the green signal lit up after much grind. To go or not to go? Suddenly, synthetic biology did not seem appealing, unworthy of valiant effort. Fear is a physiological response to the unknown, to venturing out in uncharted territories, towards trying something new. A reaction that developed as an evolutionary advantage is not advantageous anymore. Had I expressed this irrational unwillingness to my parents, I would probably be binging on Netflix right now. By dodging a repressive evolutionary instinct, I proudly declare my promotion from a
Homo sapiens to a
Homo Deus.
Pro tip: When travelling solo for the first time, ask your mom for help with packing early on. Trying to be a self-assured, independent grown up only results in mom deftly cramming your belongings in the luggage, two hours prior to the departure time, as you helplessly look on. Counterintuitively, that two-hour delay in the flight to Peshawar was much needed; I was in no way prepared to leave on time.
Peshawar is like a mini version of Karachi. Perhaps, miniature would be better fitting. Traffic jams, pollution and scattered settlements (which the denizens attribute to BRT) evoke a familiarity; a city bearing phenotypic semblance but unique in its essence. It also surpasses the country's largest city in morality and does a better job at guarding its inhabitants. One can freely wander through the alleys and streets in peace, without a looming fear of being victimized. Anyone desirous of earning twice as much value for their services should resign themselves to Peshawar where one comes to terms with the reality of a pricy livelihood in the alpha city. Immensely chuffed to have satisfied the raging caffeine cravings since a cup of coffee only cost half the price.
Doing synbio in the lab is as fun as it was reading about it. My initial time was spent imbibing all that was new (almost all was) which included understanding the principles of synbio, biobrick assembly, phylogenetics, BLASTing, use of NGS for precision medicine and carrying out a needs assessment survey. Dr. Faisal encouraged me to identify a problem independently, an issue that can be effectively addressed through synbio. His unconventional method of engaging students, fostering individual academic autonomy and probing but never overtly negating is ideal.
They stand corrected when they say that traveling is a brutality. Away from the comforts and familiarity of routine, as reality shifted, I could not have helped but experience a strange sense of derealization. When my breakfast whims were not catered to, I had to resort to sunny side up eggs, something I had long despised. Gradually as the ancestral hunter gatherer instinct kicked in, much to my embarrassment, I found myself gobbling up the roommate's leftover egg. A Karachiite can never be too prepared for temperatures plummeting below 10 °C. Despite donning four layers of clothing, I was constantly shivering to a point that it felt normal. Afterall, it helped with shedding off the calories from all those extra sunny side ups that I had devoured.
Amongst the list of firsts, all of which were realized within a span of three weeks, perhaps the one that I most cherish is the group of people I was lucky to acquaint myself with. From the friends at work to the roommates in the hostel to a stranger who assisted with grocery shopping, they were the most amicable bunch that I have ever come across. Venturing out with friends whom I have merely known for two weeks to sightsee ancient ruins at Takht-i-Bhai, was not even a remote possibility in my wildest dreams.
Regardless of the exhilaration of an adventure, absolute tranquility is only found when snuggling in a personal bed and after having relished home cooked meals, even if it is a sunny side up. I cannot justifiably express my gratitude to the ones who made this possible, my mentors, friends who lend me their winter wear and checked on me daily, family and of course my parents, who did not object once.
I returned almost four months ago and since then, I have proudly established myself as a self-proclaimed goodwill ambassador for Synthetic biology, an appointment that emerged out of necessity when I had to dutifully justify my occupancy in the land of Pakhtuns. Let this be a testimony to the power of serendipity, of happy accidents and how heeding mere coincidences can lead to unimaginable, enriching experiences.
Synthetic biology, an appointment that emerged out of necessity when I had to dutifully justify my occupancy in the land of Pakhtuns. Let this be a testimony to the power of serendipity, of happy accidents and how heeding mere coincidences can lead to unimaginable, enriching experiences.
DISCLAIMER: Copyright belongs to the author. This blog cannot be held responsible for events bearing overt resemblance to any actual occurrences. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of CCIT or AKU.
About the Author
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Having a penchant towards learning new words, Mehdia feels that the words "Perception" and "Juxtaposition" enjoy distinguished seniority amongst others in the English language, a bias that is apparent in her writing. She likes bossing around, cooking food that her mom frowns upon, making sassy remarks, crossing intangible boundaries and preferring cats over human babies. Currently, a 5th year medical student at The Aga Khan University, she aspires to become a jack of all trades by having an interdisciplinary career.
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Having a penchant towards learning new words, Mehdia feels that the words "Perception" and "Juxtaposition" enjoy distinguished seniority amongst others in the English language, a bias that is apparent in her writing. She likes bossing around, cooking food that her mom frowns upon, making sassy remarks, crossing intangible boundaries and preferring cats over human babies. Currently, a 5th year medical student at The Aga Khan University, she aspires to become a jack of all trades by having an interdisciplinary career.
