My Journey in Microbiology: From Curiosity to the Lab

 Hi there! 😊 I want to take you on a little journey with me today—one that started with curiosity and led me into the fascinating world of microbiology.

When I was younger, I was always curious about the unseen world. You know, the one we can’t spot with our eyes. I’d wonder about the tiny organisms in water, soil, and even our own bodies. This curiosity pushed me to study microbiology, and honestly, it’s been one of the most exciting decisions of my life.

During my time at university, I had the chance to dive deep into this field. One of the first things I learned was how to culture bacteria. It sounds fancy, but it's really about growing bacteria in the lab so we can study them. My favorite? Working with Escherichia coli—or E. coli for short. It's a common bacteria, but it has so much to teach us!

One of the most exciting projects I worked on involved extracting DNA from E. coli. Think of DNA as the instruction manual for every living thing—it’s what makes us who we are. I had to perfect a technique called PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), which basically helps us make copies of DNA so we can study it better. I was so proud when I finally got it right! 😄

PCR bands for DNA (cantikkan!!)

As my journey continued, I got the chance to learn about protein extraction and how to measure enzyme activity. For a lot of people, that might sound complicated (trust me, I felt the same way at first). But, step by step, I learned how proteins work inside living things, how they help us function, and how to extract and study them.

Now, I’m working on a project that’s super relevant to today’s world—helping in the research of mRNA vaccines. You’ve probably heard about mRNA vaccines in the news, especially during the pandemic. Easiest example, Covid19. Being a part of something that has the potential to make a big difference feels so fulfilling.

Looking back, my journey has been filled with ups and downs, moments of confusion, and a lot of learning. But what keeps me going is the excitement of discovering something new every day. Microbiology has opened my eyes to the wonders of the tiny world around us, and I can’t wait to keep exploring.

Thanks for reading! If you’ve ever been curious about the world of tiny things like bacteria, feel free to drop me a question or a comment. I’d love to share more of what I’ve learned!

Until next time,
Ain 💙

Becoming a better person

 Assalamualaikum,

Bismillah. Another day, another blessing because we get to live once more. First of all, I created this blog as a place for memories, a space to share stories. I’ve wanted to have my own blog for a while now, with a custom design and all. But, this is the best I can do for now. I’m not very fluent in formal Malay writing, but I’m trying my best. Since this is a personal blog, I’ll be mixing languages. For anyone reading, I hope you can bear with me. :)

Today, I’ll keep things short since I’m already tired from all the designing earlier. I’m starting off this blog with a simple post.

Lately, I’ve been practicing this one zikir (remembrance of God). It’s the Zikir Nabi Yunus. Whenever I feel angry, upset, tired, or uneasy, I recite: "Laa Ilaaha Illa Anta Subhanaka Inni Kuntu Minazzalimin." This means, "O Allah, there is no deity but You, Glory be to You; surely I am one of the wrongdoers."

img souce; pinterest

This zikir has really helped me because, honestly, I often feel uneasy. It’s hard to explain, but I get confused with my own feelings. Alhamdulillah, since I’ve started practicing this zikir, I’ve felt calmer and more at peace. It helps me reflect on myself, reminding me that I am the one who needs religion, that I am the one who needs guidance, and I’ve already found it—the perfect religion, Islam. I’m so grateful.

Yes, it’s true that we have responsibilities as servants of Allah, and we have to fulfill our duties. But, for me, in every duty we perform, we are the ones in need. A simple example is prayer. I’m someone who often feels restless, lonely, and like no one really understands what’s going on inside me. I’m frequently sad, and sometimes I don’t even understand myself. But after realizing that I’m the one who needs religion, it’s become easier for me to pray. Because every action—from taking wudu to making sujud—feels like a relief. It’s hard to explain, but that’s how it is. I just wanted to share my thoughts and experiences.