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. 2024 Jun 20;206(6):e0005024.
doi: 10.1128/jb.00050-24. Epub 2024 May 31.

Asking a question

Roberto Kolter  1
Affiliations

Asking a question

Roberto Kolter. J Bacteriol. .

Abstract

While scientific research should be carried out objectively, the choices of questions asked and approaches taken are deeply personal and subjective. I urge individuals to pursue questions they love and to periodically scrutinize the reasons (the philosophies) that drive that love. As a case study, I scrutinize the "whys" behind some of the scientific questions I pursued during my career.

Keywords: philosophy; science.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author declares no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1
DNA (A) complementary strands provide the mechanism for faithful replication, (B) one DNA circle becomes two, and (C) DNA replication within the cell.
Fig 2
Fig 2
Model for the regulation of replication of plasmid R6K; adapted from reference (3).
Fig 3
Fig 3
All that is true for E. coli is true for the elephant.
Fig 4
Fig 4
Rusted iron sculpture, representing the three-domain tree of life, that hung behind my office desk.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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