I was catching up on the impacts of this year’s Nobel Prize winners. I was mainly interested in scientific advances. Riveting, I thought, without a hint of sarcasm.

Two researchers, Victor Ambrose and Gary Ruvkun, discovered microRNA, tiny bits of genetic material which control what cells do and when they do it. Without getting too far ahead of ourselves, this discovery could lead to treatment for many kinds of diseases and conditions.

They initially studied the timing of cells on/off switching.

RNA carries instructions for making proteins from DNA in the nucleus of cells. MicroRNA doesn’t make proteins but helps control what cells do.

Last year’s Nobel Prize discovered how to manipulate RNA. This is now used to make vaccines for Covid-19.

This year, the Nobel Prize celebrates Ambrose and Ruvkun’s discovery of microRNA in their study of worms. They discovered an entirely new principle of gene regulation.

The riveting aspect of this news story is two-fold. First, the study of worms could lead to significant advances in our understanding of curing diseases.

Second, researchers build on the work of others. Each stage contributes to the next advancement, sometimes in a giant leap and sometimes in a small step.

It supports my positive and hopeful future despite the dark times we live in these days. We are a long way from the Dark Ages, for which I am forever grateful.

I am married to a great person who has upgraded my life’s journey to a level I never thought possible. It hinged on a chance meeting several thousand kilometres from where I met her. She was minding her own business, walking down the main street in a small northern B.C. town. She passed by an acquaintance from school. They chatted briefly. This person invited my wife-to-be to join her in an adventure. They both departed within the week and arrived in Inuvik later that day.

I met the acquaintance through work and dated her one time. We both agreed that it was a one-time event. I switched dates and took her roommate out. The rest is history.

Please give this a bit of a think. What is a major event in your life that ultimately came from humble beginnings?

I am curious about your thoughts. Please email me with your bit of a think.

Photo by Nathan Cima on Unsplash

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glenn.walmsley@icloud.com