Paper 4

My Experience “Harnessing Life’s Molecular Machines”


First year seminars are required for all freshman, so I had been looking over the list of available classes since it first came out in the summer. However, I had not anticipated just how fast most of these classes would fill up. Having learned from my first semester that registration times are a major factor in deciding what classes I would take, I hoped I would get a good time. I didn’t. So when it came time to register, I didn’t have many options available. I’m very interested in science, especially biology, so the one title that stood out to me was “Harnessing Life’s Molecular Machines: From Aids Tests to Hydrogen Cars.” At that point I didn’t really know what these “molecular machines” were, but it sounded like something I would be interested in, so I took a chance and signed up.
The first day of class really sparked my interest in the subject. We watched amazing 3-D animated videos of various molecular machines which portrayed the cellular structure in a way I had never seen it before. All of these different machines worked together perfectly to do various tasks. I was surprised just how much these cellular parts really did look like the “machines” I was used to seeing. We also discussed how these machines were already being applied to solve real-world problems. We passed around various products, such as HIV tests, that used molecular machines. I was definitely interested in the class at this point.
The first few days also warned me about how challenging the course would be. We were given lists of amino acids, a huge list of complicated vocabulary terms, and of course a brightly colored genetic code soccer ball. All of this seemed overwhelming at first, but I knew that we were not the first class to take this course, so it would not be impossible. I had taken biology classes before and currently, so this class seemed to fit right in with other things I was studying. Even though I was familiar with the genetic code, it took a while for me to figure out the soccer ball, but once I did, I understood just how useful it is. I knew this class would be a challenge, but I also knew I would learn a lot.
The text book reading was a good way to gain background information on the subject of molecular machines, and to see how they could potentially be used to in consumer products. This reading described the virtues and vices of molecular machines, explaining how useful they can be and what limitations they have. Although molecular machines perform the same overall functions of traditional machines, they work in very different ways. Instead of building things out of metal and plastic, these machines are formed from proteins and other molecules, which is a strange concept to grasp at first.
When it came time to write our first paper, I was not at all sure what I was going to write about. Our team was the last to select a topic, and the genetic code was not my first choice. I was not sure just how I was going to find some interesting machine when I was confined to the genetic code. I expressed this concern in the first meeting with our consultant, and she assured me that there was plenty to write about. When I looked further into the process of how the genetic code worked, I was amazed just how many machines were involved in processes such as replication, transcription, and translation. I decided that I would write about the process of DNA replication and the machines involved.
I cracked open my biology text book and began reviewing the process of DNA replication. I made note of all the different machines involved and how they worked together to copy DNA. I then looked up more detail on each of theses machines to find out more about their structure and function in the DNA replication process. The main machines I looked at were helicase, polymerase, and ligase. Then I learned something very interesting about all of these machines: they all work together as one big machine rather than completely individual machines as I had learned previously. With so much going on in the DNA replication process, I had no problem writing the first paper.
Shortly after the first paper was finished, I had to confront the task of the fist presentation. I was not sure what kind of presentation I needed or how I was going to make a presentation on the genetic code that wouldn’t put everyone to sleep. Luckily, our group was not the first to present. After seeing the first group present and hearing people’s feedback, I had a better idea of what the presentation was supposed to be and what kind of information and visual aids I should include. Still, I was pretty nervous for my first presentation, hoping I wouldn’t forget what I was supposed to say or talk too fast. However, I prepared myself as best I could and managed to give the presentation without too much difficulty. I was relieved knowing that the first big assignment was behind me.
At this point in the semester, I was pretty well settled into the course. Readings, discussions, and daily quizzes became routine. About this time, we went on our class field trip to the community care center. I did not know what to expect of this organization coming in, but I was amazed at what it was able to do for the community. It is by far the largest and probably the most advanced free clinic in the country. Just looking around, it was hard to believe that all of the different services that the clinic provided could be given free of charge. Doctors volunteered their time and companies donated funds to help this organization provide patients with much needed care. There are no stipulations of citizenship to receive help; the patients only have to live in North Carolina. This center is a great example of the entrepreneurship that this course encourages. Although this community care center is very successful, it relies entirely on donations and good will to operate and could not be implemented on the national scale.
When it came time to write the second paper, my task was to research how molecular machines could be implemented to solve real-world problems. I decided that it would save me some work if I stuck with the machines of the genetic code, so I began to look at applications of these machines. Since I am interested in the medical field, I decided to go with machines that could possibly cure diseases. The machine that looked most interesting to me was the spliceosome, a machine involved in cutting and splicing parts of the RNA strand. It turns out that theses machines have the potential to be used in a new form of gene therapy. The more I read about this SMaRT gene therapy, the more I realized just how far we have come in being able to manipulate genes. This information was exciting and I enjoyed researching it. The second presentation was much easier than the first since I knew what to expect and how to prepare the presentation. I was not nervous this time and the presentation went well.
One novel aspect of this class is the blogging. When I first hear about this requirement, I was not sure whether or not I would like it. However, the first few classes proposed such interesting and controversial discussions that I could not help but express my opinion. I found it easier to make a well-thought-out response when I could sit down and think about the question, rather than talking on the spot in class. In some situations, I prefer to talk in class, but the blog was definitely a nice alternative.
The third paper offered a very different opportunity than I had gotten used to. Rather than researching and discussing a new molecular machine, I chose to write a children’s story about machines I had already studied. I decided that I would write about the DNA replication “factory.” I set up the story as a class field trip tour of the factory in which a knowledgeable tour guide explains the process of DNA replication in a way children can understand, using analogies and cool-looking machines. There is a conflict in the story in which the main character makes a mistake and must own up to it, creating a moral to the story as well as molecular machine education. The story ended up having a sort of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” feel, hopefully making it alluring and interesting to children. This paper was by far the most fun writing assignment I’ve had so far at Wake.
Overall, I’m glad I decided to take the class. Although I really didn’t know what I was getting into when I signed up for it, I am pleased with what we have done so far. While the work was challenging, it was not impossible. The class was an interesting mix of biology and entrepreneurship, something I had not experienced before. Even though I do not plan on starting my own company, it was fun learning about how groups such as the Bio Botz can get funding and connections to create such a novel business from scratch. I feel that the class was definitely worth taking.