As featured in the Sep/Oct 2007 issue of Australian Life Scientist, and also at www.lablit.com. The in-jokes will be appreciated most by scientists who have done some cell or molecular biology.
Visit http://www.lablit.com/archive/19 for more poetry from practising scientists.
Cell-mates
I've transfected some cells with a new gene, and swear I'll Get clones (well, so long as that tip-box was sterile) With my flask safe inside our T/C incubator I de-gown and de-glove and say "Catch you cells later."
Drat! it's only Day 2 and I've got strange results (you're Quite often perplexed when you do tissue culture) So I mock and I threaten "Your end's within reach: When the UV next shines I'll take you to the bleach."
Since the cells greatly feared my planned chlorine-based dealings They assembled in patterns that spelt out their feelings Their message was clear, and said "It's wrong to kill, son! Back away from the hood... slowly lower your Gilson."
Their words really threw me, being so unexpected That's one hell of a trait that I've gone and transfected It seems that the geek gene has worked at first try, and My cell monolayer's now smarter than I am.
Well, I chatted all day to my cells and we bonded I talked of my life, and in text they responded They'd a good sense of humour, to dislike them was hard Their nickname for me? Duke of Biohazard.
They promised great data, said I'd be impressed when I saw the geek band lighting up my best Western And that post-doc I liked? I was bound to attract her The moment I mentioned my huge impact factor.
Things were too good to last; yes, the cells grew psychotic Turns out they got hooked on the antibiotic Our relationship foundered; dark grew the horizon All they cared about now was their next gentamycin.
Well, I couldn't just sit there and watch them declining So I made sure their cloud had a stainless-steel lining I farewelled "May the wet tropics bring all you crave" And screwed the door shut on the small autoclave.
Each time I attempt to repeat those results, I Keep hoping to hit that molecular bull's eye But my paper's unpublished, it annoys referees Guess there's no happy endings to geek tragedies.
really i did :)
enjoyed
Kathy