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The trademark image of upsetting viral phenomenon about empty laboratory (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

emblem

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'the trademark image' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

'upsetting viral phenomenon about empty laboratory' is the wordplay.
'upsetting' is a reversal indicator.
'viral phenomenon' becomes 'meme' (I have seen 'online phenomenon' mean 'meme' so perhaps 'phenomenon' could also mean 'meme'. I am not sure about the 'viral' bit.**).
'about' indicates putting letters inside.
'empty' suggests removing the centre.
'laboratory' becomes 'lab' ('lab' can be a synonym of 'laboratory').
'lab' with its centre removed is 'lb'.
'meme' enclosing 'lb' is 'melbme'.
'melbme' back-to-front is 'EMBLEM'.

'of' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for emblem that I've seen before include "Symbolic device or badge" , "Device, badge or symbol" , "Typifying symbol" , "Symbolic representation on badge etc" , "Visible symbol of an abstract idea" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times.
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