Very fast. This is Week 6.5 already. So far... No major confirmed progress yet. Biochemical C assay yielded some strange but reproducible results. So I need to test on another cell line with more established results to rule out the possibility that these strange results are due to my mis-handling of the assay or is for real. The assay kit is running out. I think I can order 4 or 5 sets and still finish using them in a month or two. The six-month expiry should not be a problem for me.
Pipette tips are running very fast. I am doing two assays a day (If I devote the whole day to assay, I think doing 4 or 6 should not be a problem). This consumes slightly less than 2 boxes of tips. So I have to spend some time filling tips. This is a relaxing I would say. No need to bother about accuracy, precision or reproducibility.
In summary, there is a bit of progress. However, these are all tentative progress, awaiting confirmation. There are no paper to reference yet, unfortunately. I think I am working at close to maximum capacity. I need a short complete break. By complete, I mean staying home to read journal articles. Going out with friends would be a nice as well.
On personal side, I think I am at increased risk of being consumed by my competitive side. On one hand, it has been propelling forward all these while (coming to work every single day, 7 days a week). On the other hand, the fear of "losing" or lagging behind my peers in work has increased. Need to rein in this negative feeling before it gets out of hand.
