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Authors: Jose Pino Johansson
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most important, and publicized project,
has been the mapping of the human genome for the U.S. Human Genome
Project. Konovalov created new methods for rapid gene discovery
during his first years at the Genome Project. Later, he founded his
own genetics research division, the Genetics Research Institute of
Texas. There, he and his team decoded and sequenced genomes from
hundreds of organisms and kept the newly decoded genomes in the
Institute’s databanks. In recent years Konovalov’s research has
focused on environmental genomics and synthetic genomics. Synthetic
genomics is a relatively new field where geneticists genetically
modify existing organisms to produce a new strain or mutative
organism with specific qualities or behavior. Environmental
genomics is the study of genetic material from environmental
samples. Viktor entered the two emerging fields with the intent of
creating new novel genetic organisms, primarily bacteria, that
could be used as alternative fuels and biochemicals. Krishnan
grunted. As long as there is no Society for the Protection of
Bacteria, of course, Victor should be able to do as he sees fit. .
. . but here in the U.S., anything is possible.
Viktor has written over a hundred journal articles
and made himself a millionaire through his private research
company, GeneZTech, headquartered at the Genetics Research
Institute. In later years the company moved to a private lot on the
outskirts of Houston. Well, I may not be a millionaire like dear
Viktor, but I’m by no means doing badly. I haven’t seen him in
months though, now is a good time to catch up. The reason
Krishnan was getting out of work early today was exactly that-
catch up time with his ex-roommate. Even though both were well
aware of the other’s accomplishments, and had a high degree of
mutual respect for one another, their jobs and families kept them
from communicating as much as they would have. As best friends
since college, it was traditional to meet at least several times a
year and chat. Now that Krishnan was working full-time in Texas, it
was much easier for them to see each other during weekends and
other holidays. It was a Friday, usually the kind of day that
Krishnan would stay in the lab until 9:00pm. Today, Krishnan is
heading to Panera for a healthy fast food dinner with his old
college friend. The only problem is that CBACC is a hour away from
Dallas, while Konovalov’s company is located near downtown
Houston.
The drive is about four hours, which is why Konovalov
will be staying tonight as his apartment. The kids and wife are in
Boston, Massachusetts for the kids' studies. That leaves the
apartment alone for the two men to play cards together the entire
night, gambling using fake bills as currency while discussing some
of humanity’s most advanced biotechnology and medical advances.
Most people would get lost in the conversation after ten minutes of
cards. Krishnan goes to his car planning a deep, insightful
conversation with the of the world’s leading geneticists and
scientists. He also plans on making Konovalov pay for dinner, since
he ends up winning most of the card games anyway. . . .
2:02pm Bakersfield, California
The white van with the letters marked ‘APHIS- Agency
of the US Department of Agriculture’ on the side sped down
Interstate 5 before exiting onto Route 58. Mark was at the wheel,
since it was his turn for a two-hour driving shift. The three team
members had stopped briefly to eat lunch an hour ago at a diner
before continuing on their way to Bakersfield. Now, Mark was
focused on driving through the traffic on the two-lane road on
their way to the site of the reported contamination. Mike was
prepared for anything, including staying several nights at a motel
if the situation required it. The traffic on the road was rather
light for California, but normal for a mid-afternoon weekday.
Driving during rush hour is generally considered a nightmare, all
the more so more so in California;
has been the mapping of the human genome for the U.S. Human Genome
Project. Konovalov created new methods for rapid gene discovery
during his first years at the Genome Project. Later, he founded his
own genetics research division, the Genetics Research Institute of
Texas. There, he and his team decoded and sequenced genomes from
hundreds of organisms and kept the newly decoded genomes in the
Institute’s databanks. In recent years Konovalov’s research has
focused on environmental genomics and synthetic genomics. Synthetic
genomics is a relatively new field where geneticists genetically
modify existing organisms to produce a new strain or mutative
organism with specific qualities or behavior. Environmental
genomics is the study of genetic material from environmental
samples. Viktor entered the two emerging fields with the intent of
creating new novel genetic organisms, primarily bacteria, that
could be used as alternative fuels and biochemicals. Krishnan
grunted. As long as there is no Society for the Protection of
Bacteria, of course, Victor should be able to do as he sees fit. .
. . but here in the U.S., anything is possible.
Viktor has written over a hundred journal articles
and made himself a millionaire through his private research
company, GeneZTech, headquartered at the Genetics Research
Institute. In later years the company moved to a private lot on the
outskirts of Houston. Well, I may not be a millionaire like dear
Viktor, but I’m by no means doing badly. I haven’t seen him in
months though, now is a good time to catch up. The reason
Krishnan was getting out of work early today was exactly that-
catch up time with his ex-roommate. Even though both were well
aware of the other’s accomplishments, and had a high degree of
mutual respect for one another, their jobs and families kept them
from communicating as much as they would have. As best friends
since college, it was traditional to meet at least several times a
year and chat. Now that Krishnan was working full-time in Texas, it
was much easier for them to see each other during weekends and
other holidays. It was a Friday, usually the kind of day that
Krishnan would stay in the lab until 9:00pm. Today, Krishnan is
heading to Panera for a healthy fast food dinner with his old
college friend. The only problem is that CBACC is a hour away from
Dallas, while Konovalov’s company is located near downtown
Houston.
The drive is about four hours, which is why Konovalov
will be staying tonight as his apartment. The kids and wife are in
Boston, Massachusetts for the kids' studies. That leaves the
apartment alone for the two men to play cards together the entire
night, gambling using fake bills as currency while discussing some
of humanity’s most advanced biotechnology and medical advances.
Most people would get lost in the conversation after ten minutes of
cards. Krishnan goes to his car planning a deep, insightful
conversation with the of the world’s leading geneticists and
scientists. He also plans on making Konovalov pay for dinner, since
he ends up winning most of the card games anyway. . . .
2:02pm Bakersfield, California
The white van with the letters marked ‘APHIS- Agency
of the US Department of Agriculture’ on the side sped down
Interstate 5 before exiting onto Route 58. Mark was at the wheel,
since it was his turn for a two-hour driving shift. The three team
members had stopped briefly to eat lunch an hour ago at a diner
before continuing on their way to Bakersfield. Now, Mark was
focused on driving through the traffic on the two-lane road on
their way to the site of the reported contamination. Mike was
prepared for anything, including staying several nights at a motel
if the situation required it. The traffic on the road was rather
light for California, but normal for a mid-afternoon weekday.
Driving during rush hour is generally considered a nightmare, all
the more so more so in California;
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