• Question: so you say you like playing with new ideas ideas on what? have you had any new ones recently? and what do you do when your bored?

    Asked by connor66 to Louise on 14 Jun 2010 in Categories: . This question was also asked by hello6666.
    • Photo: Louise Johnson

      Louise Johnson answered on 14 Jun 2010:


      Mostly about why genes do what they do, and when they can be expected to work together – like how your genes worked together to build you – and when they can’t.

      Right now I’m applying for money to work on gut bacteria. You’ve got more bacterial cells in your gut than human cells in your body. They usually help you with digestion, but sometimes they make some people really ill – bacteria that live harmlessly in most people will, in different circumstances, cause gangrene!

      So if this project comes off, I’ll be growing bacteria in different conditions and trying to work out when they’re likely to be friendly and when they’re likely to turn nasty.

      As for getting bored, I rarely get bored at work – exhausted, often, but rarely bored! When I do get bored I’m usually in a meeting so can’t do much about it except doodle on my notebook while practising my “Yes, I Am Listening To You Very Carefully, Professor Boss” face.

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