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Investigating the endogenous enzyme activities of barley grains
I am basically having fun with proteomics! says Abida Sultan, PhD student at DTU Systems Biology.
Abida Sultan is a PhD. student at Department of Systems Biology – Technical University of Denmark (DTU) with the project: Exploiting barley first wave enzyme activities for better feed, and associate professor Christine Finnie and professor Birte Svensson as supervisors. She acieved her M.Sc. in Engineering (Food Biotechnology) from Enzyme and Protein Chemistry - DTU in 2008 with thesis: Proteome analysis of probiotic bacteria - the initial proteome 2D-gel reference map of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM. During her master studies she also worked as an assistant teacher in experimental biochemistry course at DTU. After graduating she was temporarily employed as a research assistant at Enzyme and Protein Chemistry - DTU in 2009. Link to Abida Sultans profile at DTU Systems Biology.
Describe your research briefly
Simply put - I am basically having fun with proteomics! More specifically, I am investigating the proteome of barley grains to unravel the full complement of proteins and enzymes synthesized during grain filling. These hydrolytic enzyme activities are of biological significance as they are required for initiating the seed germination process and also major quality determinants for food and feed. It is of great value in future efforts to exploit the endogenous enzyme activities of barley grains to improve feed quality by maximizing micronutrient uptake and minimizing or even eliminating the necessity of additives to feed.
What was your first experiment as a child?
As a child I mostly remember building models with Lego and making origami figures, so it cannot be more off from science! Before I could even understand or speak the Danish language my parents decided to move abroad, which followed introduction to a different culture, language, education system, food, etc. In that sense I have experimented with many things, so it is kind of difficult to pin-point just one thing.
Why did you choose to study science and engineering?
Growing up I never imagined that I would end up working with science. I don’t really recall a very high interest in science, on the contrary, I was always fascinated with math and art. In high school I majored in math where I had a strong and enthusiastic teacher, always encouraging me. So I was convinced that I would continue my studies within math or architecture. In my senior year I decided to take advanced chemistry and this is where my curiosity and interest in science grew. I think my interest peaked when I was reading Aldus Huxley´s “Brave new world” and articles about Dolly the cloned sheep! I am not saying that this was easy reading (!) but interesting to imagine all the possibilities within science - the good and the bad!
Why do you find plants so interesting?
I find everything on earth and everything in between fascinating not just the plantae kingdom! However for me, plants are these highly sophisticated tiny powerhouses, which generate force for life through photosynthesis. Without this life force we, Homo sapiens, would simply be extinct. Of course one can also ask - why don’t you find plants interesting?
Do you have any good advice to young people who are going to choose a path in the educational system?
I am not the type of person to advice the youngsters, however all I can say is that knowledge is priceless regardless of the path of education. All we can do is to try and hope for the best.