Scientists Playing 2020

[Bob_B]

From my vaults: A scan of an 8x10 glossy taken in July 1981 at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratories (NY). This was right at the start of the "genetic revolution" and genetic engineering. At the time, I was receiving post-doctoral training in Advanced Bacterial Genetics at CSH and couldn't resist the shot, as it precisely captured my sense of wonder, awe, and fun at what we were doing. During my time at CSH, I met several Nobel laureates, including (the now infamous) Jim Watson and one of my personal heroes, Barbara McClintock, who was tending her vegetable garden when I happen upon her as I walked one morning to the lab.

I thought it was apropos to post this photo now, given the tremendous strides science made this year in helping to bring an end to the COVID-19 pandemic. Those scientists made a difference this year, and I am grateful for their efforts.

Thank you for viewing. Please feel free to offer your thoughts and comments.

Happy Holidays,

     Bob

[David Eckels]

Bob,
What a wonderful surprise to know of your molecular biology background! I have a PhD in (viral) immunology (1979) and got to visit CSH in 1985 at an immunology symposium and enjoy Jim Watson holding court underneath one of the trees on the grounds. Didn't get to meet Barbara McClintock, which would have been cool since her work in corn genetics and transposons (?), if memory serves, was standard reading for grad students. Funny how history has come around to this year (2020); Tony Fauci was an advisor to our laboratory at GU and I remember how impressed I was when he was appointed to head up NIAID. A very sharp guy indeed, and decent.

....and most importantly indeed, at times, it did feel like playing

[Bob_B]

Hi David: It's nice to hear from a fellow scientist, especially one who knows CSH. Re: Fauci -- I met him at a reception back in 1994 (or 1995) when my research group received our first NIDDK PO1 (program project) grant. I was impressed with him then and even more so now. And, yes you're right about McClintock's work on transposable elements in maize. For those interested, those transposons give 'indian' corn kernels their variable coloration. Small world! Play on.

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Kudos to all you "Real" scientists, I say (as a mere mathematician.) Yes, "Play" is how most important work gets done in most of the sciences. Unfortunately, most high school and college-level "science" courses usually show only "results" and not the "play" that led to them.

-Eric

[Bob_B]

Thanks Eric.