mu·tant
mu·tant
/ˈmyo͞otnt/
adjective: mutant
1. resulting from or showing the effect of mutation."a mutant gene"
noun: mutant; plural noun: mutants
1. a mutant form."frequently only a small percentage of the offspring of mutants resemble their parents
The word mutant gets a really bad rap. It is often viewed as derogatory, like the villains who were changed by radiation in many comic books. But the truth is, scientifically we are ALL mutants in a way: our unique DNA sequences, complete with mutations (some impactful, some not) make us who we are. Of course, there are the exceptions: mutations in our genome can have disastrous consequences in cancer and disease. But even the negative ones have given us insight into important processes (think about the mutations in p53 or BRCA1) and lead to new treatments and even cures.
I want to change how we view mutants. Whether macro or micro, we can look at any process and see it through a lens of what is universal AND what is different. And sometimes it is the latter that gives us the biggest ‘ah ha!’ moments (I LOVE ‘ah ha!’ moments…).
In the lab, one of my biggest projects was to design mutants of two important telomeric proteins—TRF1 and TRF2—so we could ascertain the bits that were critical to DNA binding, or other functions (see photo, below of some of those results).
Similarly, when I was then ‘faced’ (pun intended (:) with my CNVII injury, I also had to address the changes that disrupted aspects of function and rewire to get a desired result. Both endeavors were impactful, each contributing to a deeper understanding of a process. And that’s the gift that mutants give to us! I wear my mutant label with honor, not despair…
As a SEEKER, look around for examples of mutants and see what insight they can give you…you may be surprised that the most interesting things come from places that aren’t like the others…
The two faces of CVNII damage: each with their own mutational challenges and discoveries:
My experimental data from the 2001 paper which was an extensive mutational analysis of the telomeric protein TRF1
https://delangelab.rockefeller.edu/pubs/63_Fairall_Mol_Cell_2001.pdf
Zucchini/yellow squash hybrid resulting from cross-pollination of two plants in my neighbor’s garden. A delicious mutant !