In 2016, I was a fourth-year college student at the University of Southern Mississippi. I studied the structure of granulins, which are cysteine rich proteins linked in neurodegenerative diseases. To validate protein folding, I conducted an assay so often that I produced a templated, ready-to-use procedure for it. Gaurav Ghag conducted his graduate research study at the University of Southern Mississippi. He is now a senior manager of analytical operations at Gilead Sciences.Michael SamelAs I inched towards completion of graduate school, I was delighted. I had great data on my folded protein, and a high effect journal publication appeared within reach. One day, I tested an alternative approach to assess granulin folding, and strangely, it indicated that the protein was unfolded. Perplexed, my consultant, Vijayaraghavan Rangachari, and I walked through every step of the experiment till it struck me: I had made a decimal point calculation error in my templated procedure! I realized with discouragement that I had reproduced this error in every experiment. I had actually been working with unfolded protein the whole time. Stunned, I left my advisors office, put myself some coffee, and simply sat outside for hours in disbelief and frustration. I had no time at all to start a brand-new task or to duplicate my experiments. What was I going to do?Once I relaxed down the next day, I chose that it wasnt over. I still had highly reproducible (unfolded) protein information that may be worth something. With the assistance of my advisor, I handled to publish the data.1 It didnt wind up being the high impact aspect paper that I imagined, but we managed to put a positive spin on a bad circumstance. I view that incident as the biggest knowing minute of my life. First, the devil remains in the details, so I constantly have somebody else check vital work now. Second, I remind myself that mistakes happen, but strength assists conquer them. Although I have proceeded because, I typically remember a thought from that day: “Cysteines, thou art heartless monsters!” This interview has been modified for length and clarity.ReferenceGhag G, et al. Protein Eng Des Sel. 2016; 29( 5 ):177 -186. Submit Your Story
I studied the structure of granulins, which are cysteine abundant proteins linked in neurodegenerative diseases. One day, I checked an alternative method to examine granulin folding, and strangely, it indicated that the protein was unfolded. I still had highly reproducible (unfolded) protein data that might be worth something. Protein Eng Des Sel.
