6 DNA Sequencing

I stood near the laser biopsy workstation, perusing the anatomical charts and medical literature displayed on the holographic interface in front of me to be sure of the optimal site of tissue extraction.

The laser biopsy system was currently undergoing automatic sterilization after Aria engaged the inbuilt self-sterilization feature to erase any contamination.

All the necessary solutions and chemicals had been prepared and placed at the appropriate workstations. The procedure was ready to be commenced.

Nodding seriously, I waved my hand, dispelling the interface as I was now sure of what to do.

If I wanted to properly sequence the gene I was looking for, I had to be absolutely sure where its expression would most likely be found.

My consultations and genetic knowledge indicated that I'd most likely find it on my right palm. Specifically, the center of my palm that held the mark which served as an energy conduit.

I didn't know how the procedure was going to affect the mark so I decided to target the outskirts of the mark, the black portion of it that gave the mark its circular shape.

That portion would be enough to give me ample samples without causing any adverse reactions.

Going through all the steps of the procedure in my mind once again, I took a deep calming breath of the cold air to relax my mind and took a step to the laser system.

Carefully, I manually calibrated the system to suit my specifications, adjusting the parameters of the laser to control the depth and extent of the tissue removal to ensure minimal disruption or harm.

Calmly, I took the metallic laser probe, placed my right palm on the smooth and prepared surface of the workstation, gauged the stick on the portion selected, and activated it with a gentle push of a button.

The laser stick emitted a focused beam of light that penetrated my skin's surface, extracting a small cylindrical sample of tissue from the outer edges of the mark.

I felt a slight sting and discomfort in my hand, but because of my expertise and the non-invasive nature of the system, it was minimal and negligible, not capable of influencing the efficiency of my work.

Quickly, I deactivated the laser stick, put it back in place, and transferred the tissue into a preservation solution inside a labeled container.

With the container in hand, I moved to another workstation that held specialized equipment for the homogenization and dissociation process.

Using the equipment, the tissue was carefully minced and homogenized to break down the cellular structure and release the genetic material into a liquid suspension.

Then, I employed purification techniques like phenol-chloroform extraction to perfectly isolate high-quality DNA from the suspension, removing contaminants such as proteins, lipids, and other cellular debris.

With the purified DNA sample in hand, I moved to the sequencing workstation. This was where the investigation of genetic analysis would really start.

This was the part where I'd hopefully be able to generate the genetic code or data that would show me the particular gene I was looking for.

And with it, I'd be able to ascertain the codons or amino acid sequence that coded for the protein or whatever cellular structures that made my power what it was.

I'd thought about what sequencing platform would be best for this project, and after careful consideration, I settled for NGS technology.

After doing this, my work was done, for the meantime, and hopefully, with it, everything will be made clear.

Exhaling a deep breath, I engaged the interface of the sleek machine and prepared the DNA library based on the chosen platform, incorporating barcodes for sample multiplexing.

The machine whirred as the sequencing immediately began, and a holographic screen popped up in front of me, showing me in high detail sizable amounts of sequencing data that increased by the minute.

"Aria, estimate the time of completion," I told the AI assistant, my eyes still on the holographic screen.

[Estimating... Time of completion has been estimated to be approximately two weeks and three days.] It said, paused for a few seconds, and relayed the information.

An eyebrow rose at the mentioned time. It was longer than I expected.

"Is there any chance you could shorten the time?"

[Estimated time of completion can be shortened to one week, two days, if the sequencing of the Tetramand and Vulpimancer DNA are halted.]

"I see," I nodded in understanding and ordered. "Give me a progress report on those two DNA."

[Tetramand DNA is at 10% while Vulpimancer DNA is at 3.8%.] It said briefly.

"...I really need better equipment," I sighed and shook my head with a helpless smile. "Okay, then put those two on hold and focus on mine. Continue those two only after it's done."

A year ago, I managed to get my hands on DNA samples of a Tetramand and a Vulpimancer, both alien races, after paying a pretty penny.

Unlike in my previous life where the existence of extraterrestrials was just myths and a bunch of conspiracy theories, they were a fact in this universe.

In fact, I'd interacted with many aliens more times than I could count. My late father even worked with them.

There were all sorts of different alien lifeforms scattered across the galaxy and beyond, many with powers and capabilities that defied logic. Some couldn't even be imagined.

After going to school and becoming a man of science, I became curious as to how different and similar aliens were when compared to humans, especially the humanoid ones.

So, I used my resources to get DNA samples of various alien species for my personal research. If I could uncover the intricacies of their genetic makeup, there were so many exciting things I could do with that knowledge.

So many things that could either increase my own power, make me richer than I already was, increase the lifespan of humans as a whole, terraform planets with specially bioengineered crops or animals that could adapt to the conditions of the planet, etc.

The applications were practically endless. But unfortunately, as they were an entirely different species with different genetic structures and sequences, it was very hard to get the information I wanted.

I either had to create new sequencing methods or improve drastically upon the existing ones, which was extremely difficult to do.

Luckily, I was able to obtain Aria, which was a highly efficient and highly advanced AI assistant that was capable of assisting me in doing all of that from my alien contacts in my black market.

But my equipment was lacking. I needed better equipment, undoubtedly alien ones, to increase my and Aria's efficiency.

Otherwise, it would take me years before I could successfully sequence even Tetramand DNA that was among the ones remotely similar to human DNA.

Now that I had the resources of my family, I would make it possible, even if I had to break a few intergalactic rules. After all, I was the most important thing I could think about.

[Affirmative.] It replied mechanically as I waved the interface in front of me away.

"Keep all operations running," I ordered as I walked to a nearby sink and sterilization unit. "You can draw upon more energy from the reserves if you think it'll increase your progress."

"I'll be leaving now. I have other important things to do," I informed as I finished my thorough decontamination and moved to the door, removing my lab coat and hanging it on the coat rack. "But I'll come back later to check up on the progress."

[Affirmative.] At her words, the door slid open automatically, revealing the empty hallway. I stepped out of the lab.

"Now that I'm done here, it's time to test what I can really do."