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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