In the history of science, major breakthroughs often begin with a moment when someone dares to question established beliefs. Many times, certain things in the laboratory are treated as “accepted truths”—no one bothers to re-examine them. A significant example from Dr. Ashraful Uddin Ahmed’s research career makes this realization clear. He says, “Everyone assumed it couldn’t be done—I asked, why not?” This question led to one of his important scientific discoveries.
His field of work involved an enzyme called tryptophan synthase. In biochemistry textbooks, this enzyme is described as a protein that produces tryptophan, an essential amino acid, but cannot break it down. Another enzyme from the same family—tryptophanase—can do both. Yet, for a long time, it had been assumed in research that “breaking down” is simply not possible for tryptophan synthase. This idea was so deeply ingrained that no one even felt the need to question it.
But Dr. Ashraful Uddin did not stop there. He wondered—how could two proteins from the same enzyme family have such a fundamental difference? Is it really necessary in nature for an enzyme to be limited to only one function? From that question, he began to redesign his experiments. He noticed that previous research had always kept the reaction conditions the same—such as temperature, the acidity or alkalinity (pH) of the solution, and specific chemical environments. But in nature, when the environment changes, a protein’s behavior can also change.
By changing the experimental conditions, he demonstrated that—in specific situations—tryptophan synthase can also break down tryptophan. In other words, what everyone had assumed impossible was, in fact, possible under certain circumstances. This finding introduced a new perspective in research. It showed that the functionality of proteins is often environment-dependent; they cannot be confined only to textbook definitions.
This experience offers an important lesson for young researchers. In the laboratory, established ideas are often followed without question, just because they’ve been in textbooks for years, stated by leading scientists, or published in journals. But science itself is a method of questioning. The mere longevity of an idea does not guarantee its ultimate truth. In fact, new questions deepen old knowledge.
This mindset also has a social dimension. In our education system, students are often taught—“what’s written in the book is right.” Questioning or expressing doubt is sometimes discouraged. As a result, curiosity gradually fades away. Dr. Ashraful Uddin Ahmed’s experience shows us that the courage to question is the lifeblood of research. The researcher who is unafraid to ask questions is the one who can open new paths.
In conclusion, the simple question—“Why not?”—is not just a scientific technique; it is a state of mind. This mindset teaches us to think beyond limitations. In the practice of science, and even in other areas of life, we often stop ourselves by assuming “it’s not possible.” Dr. Ashraful Uddin Ahmed’s experience teaches us that if we dare to question this belief, new doors of possibility may open.
Read the full interview with Dr. Ashraful Uddin Ahmed:
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