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letters when he was retiring . When I did genetics , there was a class of 12 people , and three of those have been his [ Dr Frewin ] students , and the year behind me we had another one ,” said Aoife .
The role of the teacher is crucial , says Aoife , and she cited the example of the many people that say they can ’ t do maths . “ The number of people who think they can ’ t do maths is too high — there are a lot of people that have been put off maths . They stop trying because they think they can ’ t do maths . The students underestimate their own abilities . Students should be allowed have a bit of fun with maths . Games and puzzles for example ,” said Aoife .
Recently , Aoife received a prestigious European Research Council grant — which are only given to the top tier of scientists in Europe — to try and identify disease-causing genes . The aim she said is identify those genes that are vulnerable to changes in quantity . This might involved a reduction in the copies of genes , or too many copies . There is a certain amount of variation in the number of copies of genes between people , and it ’ s common . However , in some people certain variations in gene quantities increase disease vulnerability .
This is an evolutionary approach to genetics , explained Aoife . The goal is to see which genes have tolerated changes in amount — high or low — over evolutionary time and which have not . The identification of those genes that have proven intolerant to change over evolution can provide a key to which genes are linked to disease today , the reasoning goes . “ There is variation in [ gene ] copies , because mutations happen ,” explained Aoife . “ DNA is a chemical that copies itself in cell division , and this is an easy mistake that happens a lot .”
Once the sensitive genes that have been linked to disease have been clearly identified , then it becomes possible to develop better and more precise ways to diagnose disease . Following on from that , if there are improved methods to diagnose disease at an earlier stage , then
Aoife McLysaght talking to a packed house as one of the TedX events at the Bord Gáis Theatre in Dublin . Photograph , TCD Science Gallery .
it should become possible for medical scientists to develop better disease treatments and therapies .
Communicator
Aoife is also one of the best scientistcommunicators in Ireland , and is regularly invited to speak in schools and at public lectures about her work and its implications for society . She believes that it is important that some scientists communicate with the public , but she also acknowledges that although she enjoys this activity , not every scientist will feel the same .
“ It is important that some of us do it , and there is support for that . I mean that it is recognised as a valid part of the job . A valid activity , that it is respected . Sometimes people might think it is a trivial activity . I don ’ t think that . I see science as part of our culture , we should all have access to that . A lot of people love music , but don ’ t have the intention of being a musician . It ’ s the same with science — people should have access to it ,” she said .
For Aoife , science is about the ability to learn , to deduce , to understand something , even when it is not visible to the naked eye . It involves being able to think long-term , beyond our own lives . Science is exciting , interesting , dynamic , but it is a big mistake to try and push it onto people . It is also a mistake , she believes , for the Irish government , or any government to get too closely involved in deciding how funding for science should be spent . It would be better to fund the best people than to fund certain areas , she said .
She has some advice for young people that might be considering science as a career . “ When I was young , I didn ’ t know you could be a scientist , I didn ’ t know any scientists . I didn ’ t know what I would end up being if I studied science . My mum said to me , do what you enjoy the job will follow . It ’ s very optimistic , but I kind of subscribe to that ,” she said .
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SCIENCE SPIN Issue 58 Page 17