Update on the Scoop

For those closely following the Major Drama that unfurled while in Madison, I Finally got to talk to Dr. Boss the whole "Are we getting scooped by a Big Wig at Yale?" thing. This was a very good chat. I carefully explained what I thought Dr. Bigbucks was up to (including the things that seemed intentionally vague), and Dr. Boss thought that the way he had set up his experiments would give him more hurdles to jump later- whereas our targeted approach might make it to trials someday more smoothly. He also said it was inevitable that other labs would be looking for drugs (sigh), and that this may be ideal- HIV is treated with a cocktail, why not our virus?

I feel less anxious about this, and I got some good props as well.

I explained that I was anxious because Dr. Bigbucks has already screened other members of the virus family, something I am hoping to set up soon. Dr. Boss thinks we should move ahead and try to get the system established ahead of having drugs to screen so we don't have to trouble shoot both at once. This is, and continues to be, a major goal of mine since joining the lab and I feel really good about getting the green light. Like dance around in a lab coat good.

I also learned about an assay that I thought would be cool, fast and boost my science-cred a lot- but a bit out on a limb for Dr. Boss' normal taste in experiments. He thought that would be worth getting in place too. He also thought that this was a very good meeting for me to keep going to, and was pleased that I have gotten to interact with so many important people. He said he might even go himself sometime (I doubt it). This makes me feel like he really respects and trusts me as a scientist, which means a lot. Dr. Boss is an even Bigger Wig in some circles.

Bottom line is, we aren't worried about stuff coming out of Yale, but I get to do the really exciting science I'd been daydreaming about for my efforts. Great Meeting!