Students As Dreamers
“Hua, the simulations for prototypes drug #40 and #41 have completed. Unfortunately, they are not ideal.” HERCULES reports, “The inhibitors work initially on the Simulants. However, #40 does not bind strong enough, you need increased dosage which is likely lethal over time. #41 results in accelerated calcification. Narrowing the time between each administration would help but eventually it would become too frequent to be a viable option.”
“Thank you, HERCULES.” Shi Hua replied to his AI co-pilot. He looks at his hands. “Well, we just have to try harder then. Can you send the results to Professor Martel? We probably would need to consider gene editing with CRISPR.”
For the past six months, Shi Hua and Professor Martel have been working on the STONE BREAKER project. The project aims to find a cure for the Stoneman disease. Another student, Amirah, and her professor with similar interests in an European University are also involved. Shi Hua is fine with the small research team . After all, it is very common for students to work in small group on projects that they have a vested interest. As long as they complete four projects, they would receive a degree from the university.
“Professor Martel sends back a message.” HERCULES shared. “He says that it might be worthwhile looking for genome sequence of people with the mutation but does not have the Stoneman Disease. Would you like to proceed to retrieve these records from the library?”
Shi Hua’s eyes lit up. He replies, “Yes, of course!”
After a short while, HERCULES replied, “Sir, the library shares that there is a potential candidate. The candidate is still alive and around 70 to 80 years old. However, the candidate has not opted into Genomic Commons. Would you like the library to make a request with the legal office to the International Genome Bank to contact the candidate for their genomic sequence?”
“Sure! Just let me know what you need from me regarding the digital request. Please log this development into the project file and update Professor Martel, Amirah and her supervisor.”
Shi Hua thinks to himself, “Let’s hope we can get the data before our team meeting tomorrow.” He then proceed to join the team meeting for his other project. This project is related to an ossified mummy found at a new archaeological site near the Tarim Basin. They brainstorm how they might interpret the results from their AI-copilots together for the next two hours before calling it a day. Just in time for Shi Hua to catch dinner with his mother.
“Have you taken your medication?”, she asks after taking a look at his hands.
“I feel okay, Mama. The university is helping me to find a cure. We are requesting some new data from the International Genome Bank that would help us move one step forward.”
“You sound hopeful! It’s worth the time and money then!” Shi Hua nods in agreement.
Indeed, access to experts, like-minded peers, restricted resources (such as databases, softwares and facilities) and specialized upgrades to his AI co-pilot have enabled him to work on areas he has vested interests and passion but are currently commercially unattractive. These are the reasons why he and other students pursue a degree with the university in the first place.
Before Shi Hua can elaborate further on his day, HERCULES interjects, “Hua, the university library would like to inform you that the International Genome Bank has replied. They shared that the owner of the genomic sequence wants to share with you an old photo of her brother.”
