[laplacesdemon48]

> Throughout the last five years, we have failed repeatedly. We have mislabeled tubes and used ethanol instead of water to dilute DNA. We have dropped flasks, shattering glass and spilling bacteria on the floor. We have been frustrated, again and again. But we continued on, inching closer to mastery over the molecular wiring of genomes. In the future, we’d like to extend this work to other organisms; perhaps even humans.

This. I love the honesty about the scientific process. This is completely lost to most science students while they cram facts before an exam. The road to most beautiful discoveries is often paved with lots of fumbles.

[biomcgary]

I agree. Unfortunately, the typical undergraduate experience in biology involves a lot of rote memorization and cookbook experiments, not actual discovery. Probably filters out some people who would actually make good scientists.

[laplacesdemon48]

It filtered me out. I spent several years in a non-science field and always had that itch I couldn't quite scratch with my day-to-day work. I left my career earlier this year to pursue a new one in science. Went back to school for the first time in a while, not cramming but actually taking the time to learn. I love it.