Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the downfall of a once-thriving company, nucleic acid testing giant, Nuzi Gene, which rapidly expanded during the pandemic but faced severe operational and financial challenges post-pandemic, leading to mass layoffs and legal disputes over unpaid commissions and wages [1][2][42]. Group 1: Company Operations and Employee Experiences - The company experienced a rapid expansion during the pandemic, with a workforce that grew from nearly 5,000 to just a few hundred as demand plummeted post-pandemic [2][42]. - Employees, including business directors, faced significant challenges in receiving their commissions, with disputes arising over the interpretation of commission structures and payment terms [23][40]. - The internal environment was marked by chaos, with employees working long hours under pressure, often without proper compensation or recognition for their efforts [8][11][17]. Group 2: Financial Performance and Market Position - Nuzi Gene reported a cumulative testing volume exceeding 700 million people, generating substantial revenue during the pandemic, with 450 million yuan earned in just six months [17][42]. - Despite the initial financial success, the company struggled to maintain profitability as the market shifted, leading to a decline in business and the eventual abandonment of IPO plans due to regulatory changes [43][44]. - The company faced significant operational issues, including quality control problems in its laboratories, which were exacerbated by the rush to meet testing demands [10][12][16]. Group 3: Legal and Ethical Issues - Numerous employees initiated legal actions against the company for unpaid wages and commissions, with many feeling that their contributions were exploited without fair compensation [25][30][39]. - The company employed various tactics to minimize payouts to employees, including reclassifying projects as "government-directed" to justify lower commission rates [40][41]. - The article illustrates a culture of internal conflict and competition among employees, with high-level executives often taking credit for the work of lower-level staff, leading to widespread dissatisfaction [18][21][38].

Core Viewpoint - The National Pharmacopoeia Commission has released a draft for the standard of the 1001 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) method, which includes the addition of real-time quantitative PCR and revisions to conventional PCR methods [1][2]. Summary by Sections Introduction - The draft standard introduces new methods for quantitative detection using PCR, specifically adding real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR as a second method. It covers general requirements for instruments and reagents, measurement methods, and method validation requirements [2][6]. Revisions to Conventional PCR Method - The conventional PCR method has been revised to include: 1. Quality requirements for template DNA extraction from traditional Chinese medicine and biochemical drugs, including OD260/OD280 ratios for nucleic acid quality control. 2. Requirements for method applicability, including sequence, annealing temperature, types of restriction endonucleases, DNA polymerase concentration, and enzyme digestion time. 3. The addition of DNA characteristic sequences as quality control DNA markers [7][14]. Real-time Fluorescence Quantitative PCR Method - The real-time quantitative PCR method is designed for real-time detection of PCR amplification products, allowing for quantitative analysis of starting templates. It is applicable for specific nucleic acid components in traditional Chinese medicine, raw materials, intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients, and excipients [25][26]. - General requirements for instruments include continuous temperature control and the ability to excite and read fluorescence signals in real-time [25][26]. Method Validation Requirements - New methods must undergo validation, which includes defining experimental plans, analysis steps, and acceptable standards. Validation indicators are closely related to the intended use of the method, such as specificity for qualitative identification and accuracy, precision, linearity, and range for quantitative detection [29][30]. Laboratory Requirements - Laboratories must meet national biosafety management requirements and implement measures to prevent cross-contamination, such as functional area separation and pressure control [30].