Recently, I had the opportunity to join minds and efforts to describe the functions of a protein that was known to be in high quantities in a plant bacterial pathogen (Xylella fastidiosa) that causes huge impacts in agriculture. We could show that X. fastidiosa Glutaredoxin-like protein plays an important role in cyanide and sulfur metabolisms, which could allow these plant killing bacteria to resist its host immune system. Because we did not records of similar genes in organisms like plants, fungi and animals (eukaryotes), it could be target for new plant disease treatment.
This collaboration reminded how much I enjoy learning different facets of nature and such efforts are hard, but they also bring me joy. More details about this work, you may find them here, freely!
Collaborative work is crucial for many research areas. For me (GM), it is much more than a way to advance what us humans know about the overwhelmingly diverse and complicated aspects of nature. It is a pleasure. A multi-factor delight:
1) The process of discovering is delightful. And finding something that I have never imagined to find out is remarkably fun.
2) Working with researchers with a different expertise, even within biology, is enriching! Having to learn methods I never used, making sense of the results obtained from these approaches and integrating them with the findings I could contribute with, is an indescribable experience. Specially, when all fits together really well!
3) Cooperative work is usually challenging (that is one reason social animals are so intriguing). Jargons need to be be replaced by plain language, techniques and their results need clear explanation, a reasonable strategy to answer a scientific question requires consensus. But collaboration also allows one to spend working time with competent scientists (who are usually also nice people), it improves our communication, organizational and cultural/interpersonal awareness skills.
