Typical day at the lab today. My first experiment looks like nothing: I tested different concentrations and cells on the so-called Ambit2 module. These cells are supposed to be sensitive to ampicillin, but they never show this in today’s staining assay. Whether ampicillin is added or not, after a scornful 2 hours at 37 degrees Celcius, the quantification is “all over the place”.
It’s noon, time for lunch, and I received a text message from Richard. Richard works at the Fenglin group, a government-backed real estate developer that has launched itself into the life-science sector in the heart of Xuhui, downtown Shanghai. Glossy buildings are now the “center” where research, education, patient care and Big Pharma converge.
Richard is a nice person. Still, his request for help surprises me a little. I – in fact my company in Hangzhou, with no employees and 10,000 RMB in the bank – could help him by signing an Incubator agreement, allowing Fenglin to win an award as urban incubator in Shanghai. “No strings attached, no fee to be paid”, Richard assures me.
Hop, a moment later a real contract appears on my WeChat. I kindly thank and decline and wonder about the size of the pool, as it lead to me. Prejudiced as I am, and somewhat formed during my years of service at the Consulate, I see yet another empty shell, yet another layer of madness, a foundation as soft as tofu, for which young and merry guys like Richard are recruited.
I should be more optimistic.
Later that day, my second experiment fails: day-old vacuum-stored modules. Finally, my last one also fails: vitamin C added to my C12 cell line. C12 is shrouded in darkness.
Written on January 22, 2019