Algorithm - Book 1 - The Medallion

Chapter 1

"It's Linda, right?"

"Dr. Linda Garcia. I just started here last month."

"And you're heading up the university's contribution to the Human Genome Project, right?"

"Why, yes. The sequence data we are generating, coupled with incoming data from around the country is huge. It's the reason for my visit. I thought that you might be interested in joining my team."

Adam's heart opted for an extra beat. The Human Genome Project began in nineteen ninety as a massive effort coordinated by the US Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health to identify all the genes in human DNA. Estimates suggested the characterization of the thousands of genes would take about fifteen years to complete. In actuality, nine years later the work was nearing a high point and was almost finished. Schill University had been granted the opportunity to analyze some of the latest data emerging from the project. Adam knew enough to realize that the scientists best suited to the task were molecular biologists, much like Linda. Although he was an organic chemist with some expertise in biochemistry and statistical analysis, Linda's request to join her team seemed out of place.

"Linda, don't you have enough scientists trained in DNA sequence analysis on your staff?"

Adam found himself hoping the answer was 'no.' Her large eyes widened as she answered. "Well, yes … however, Dr. Dove, there are aspects of the data analysis that I think someone with your background could really contribute to."

Her eyes entranced him. Adam was having difficulty paying attention to what Linda was actually saying. "Please call me Adam … what aspects?"

She stared at him for a beat, and her face grew solemn as she replied in a firmer voice. "Adam, why don't you join us tomorrow morning at our review meeting? After seeing the details of the analysis thus far, you'll be able to answer that question yourself."  She turned, perhaps too abruptly, leaving the office door to slowly swing back. Before it closed, she added, "Gotta run. I hope to see you in the morning."

When she reached the outer laboratory door, he extended his arm to hold his office door ajar. "I'll be there. Where and when?" He noticed that his hands were sweaty, and his heart seemed to beat a bit harder.

Linda called back without turning. "Room 331B, nine sharp." And with a quick backward wave of her hand she was down the hall and out of sight.

***

Room 331B was Linda's laboratory office located on the third floor almost directly above Adam's. A note on the door led him to a small meeting room farther along the hallway. He approached its outer door and peered through the glass. About a dozen seated researchers surrounded an elongated conference table. All were dressed in white lab coats, while several fiddled with an overhead projector. A reflection in the glass revealed someone coming up behind him. It was Linda.

"Good morning, Adam. Glad to see you made it."

Adam feigned mild surprise and turned to see Linda's infectious smile. While she opened the door, he replied, "Me too."  He followed her inside, and wedged himself into an empty chair in a far corner of the room.