Free Web NovelChapter 625: Chapter 358: Isn’t this gap too big!?
Medical pathological molecular mechanism research is the forte of the Biomedical Research Institute.
The Biomedical Institute has achieved many accomplishments over the decades, with the most recent being the study of the molecular mechanism by which the AIDS virus Vif gene hijacks proteins.
Therefore, everyone involved in the project at the Biomedical Research Institute, including those in Zhao Yi’s lab, as well as researchers like Dai Tianqing, Han Hui, and Li Ming, are confident in the study of the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule’s molecular mechanism in resisting AIDS infection. They believe its completion is only a matter of time. They each could sketch out the general process of the research based on a simple discussion of what needs to be studied.
Of course.
The molecular mechanism research of medical pathology is quite challenging.
On the molecular level, there are many issues that need analysis and many top-tier, specialized instruments are required. The experimental research process involves copious amounts of data calculation and is rather complex.
After a brief meeting to allocate tasks, the ’Dai Tianqing Research Group’ and Zhao Yi’s lab started their research. As there is a certain competiveness and the nature of the research is confidential, everyone was eager to obtain results.
The first step involves injecting Escherichia coli and shapeshifting bacteria into lab mice, then extracting blood after immune responses to purify the solution containing 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecules.
This step just requires time.
As Zhao Yi’s lab already has extracted solutions, as well as over a dozen mice previously injected with bacteria one or two weeks prior, some were split and given to the ’Dai Tianqing Research Group’, so both parties can simultaneously enter the second phase.
The second phase is divided into two steps. One is identifying the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule’s effect in resisting AIDS infection, the other is seeking methods and strategies to identify at what level this resistance effect occurs.
For instance, the protein level.
Or, blocking at the gene synthesis level.
Or maybe, the process by which the gene takes into effect.
And so on.
Zhao Yi’s lab directly skipped the first step. Everyone was very confident in Zhao Yi’s conclusion and, with previous experimental data, there was no need to further verify the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule’s effect in resisting AIDS infection.
The ’Dai Tianqing Research Group’, however, performed the verification work concurrently with their research, initially focusing on the former.
Out of respect for the research, they had to first confirm its effectiveness, otherwise the subsequent work would be futile.
Five days later.
An experiment designed by Ai Lixin and Liu Chengjie showed that in the sample mixed with the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule, a clear effect of resisting AIDS virus infection was detected. Because the concentration of the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule injected was high, it performed well against the AIDS virus, and the immune system of the mice did not show a rapid decrease.
At the same time, the measurement of the concentration of the AIDS virus also confirmed a problem.
The concentration of the AIDS virus didn’t markedly drop; it could even be said to have risen.
Ai Lixin said, "This shows that the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule can have an anti-infection effect, but it’s not directly killing the AIDS virus, nor even directly blocking the synthesis of the AIDS virus, but rather it is acting at another level."
"It’s likely at the infection level..."
This conclusion is extremely significant.
As the experienced researcher that he is, Ai Lixin’s conclusion was confirmed by Zhao Yi using the Law of Cause and Effect. Zhao decided, "Our next work focus should be, on which level of the virus infection process does the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule takes effect."
Zhao Yi’s lab promptly entered the third phase of their research.
Erratically, Yan Xuelin came to check on their progress and observed one of their internal meetings, his mind occupied by other things.
In the competition between the two research groups, he inevitably sided with the ’Dai Tianqing Research Group’. Primarily because all the members of the ’Dai Tianqing Research Group’ were senior researchers. The idea of several researchers being outdone by a newly established lab, especially one with only a few people, most of whom were new hires and with the third-ranking being a newly promoted associate researcher, would be too embarrassing for him as the director should the ’Researcher Group’ lose.
After attending the meeting, Yan Xuelin inquired about some details, and then hurried to the central lab.
That was where the ’Dai Tianqing Research Group’ was based.
"How is your research progressing?" Yan Xuelin asked without preamble.
"It’s going well!"
Dai Tianqing spoke excitedly, "We have confirmed that the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule does indeed have a strong ability to resist AIDS infection. The next focus is to study whether the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule works at the level of virus suppression, or at the infection level."
Li Ming, also feeling cheerful about the research progress, walked up to join the conversation.
Yan Xuelin couldn’t share in their happiness. ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
If he hadn’t misremembered, at Zhao Yi’s lab meeting, they’d stated that the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule works at the infection level and had immediately allocated the next phase of work.
This group had just started their research?
After taking a deep breath, he didn’t voice his concern but suggested a course of action, "I believe it’s at the infection level. I suggest skipping the meticulous research process and going directly to verification."
"Is that advisable?"
"If the verification proves incorrect, it would take even more time."
"Indeed."
Dai Tianqing, Li Ming, and Han Hui all voiced their doubts together.
Yan Xuelin’s words silenced them, "I can tell you that they’ve already determined this conclusion. Whether you accept it or not, it’s up to you."
With that, he left.
The trio exchanged surprised glances.
How could the other group be so fast?
They had only just begun to prepare their research, yet the other group had already reached a conclusion?
"Could it be because they conducted a lot of research ahead of time and have the experimental basis?"
"It should be."
"It can only be so."
Dai Tianqing nodded, saying, "Let’s listen to the director and proceed straight to empirical validation, the results would be out in two or three days, and we can promptly move on to the next step."
...
Once "Team Dai Tianqing" established its objective, they moved quickly, swiftly devised an experiment, and through a series of tests, verified that 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule plays its role at the infection level.
The researchers felt significantly relieved, quickly convened a small meeting, and planned the subsequent experiment’s contents.
In the meantime.
Novel findings emerged from the new experiments established in Zhao Yi’s laboratory.
The discovery was Zhao Yi’s.
Through constant observation of the experiment, supplemented by a series of test data, he quickly discovered that the HIV does not destroy cells or proliferate. Instead, it reacts with the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule and enters a state of ’silence’ or, as it were ’dormancy.’ In short, its ability to infect has dramatically decreased.
Zhao Yi shared his ’conjecture’ and discussed it with the members of his laboratory. They deliberated two possibilities; either the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule affects the protein structure on the outer layer of the HIV, or it impacts the gene level, inhibiting the gene’s replication ability after being injected into the cell.
Zhao Yi swiftly determined that it affects the protein level. He looked through all the test data, along with some HIV infection-related literature, and accordingly formulated his conclusion.
Then, validation experiments were to be conducted in the lab.
Whether the 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule affects the protein or gene level was not easy to ascertain, but for validation purposes, there was only one thing to check -
If the HIV invaded the cells.
The proteins on an outer layer of any virus serve two purposes. Firstly, to protect the genes inside, and secondly, to facilitate the genes’ invasion into the cell. Once the latter task is complete, the outer protein structure is discarded.
If the HIV does not invade the cells then the activity is definitely on the protein structure. If the HIV successfully invades cells, it acts on the gene level.
Experimenting in this field is also not easy; it requires a lot of time. Approximately a week or so and several experimental trials were needed to arrive at a definitive conclusion. The 2CV-Bing Hydrogen Molecule does indeed act on the protein structure of HIV.
One day, Yan Xuelin visited again.
Yan Xuelin inspected the progress daily. He genuinely cared as the findings also represented the honor of the Institute. freēwebnovel.com
At the same time, Yan Xuelin compared the progress among both research teams, hoping that ’Team Dai Tianqing’ would move a bit faster.
When he heard Ai Lixin report, "We have determined that the inhibitory effect takes place at the protein level," Yan Xuelin rejoiced at the smooth progress but considered giving up when he thought of ’Team Dai Tianqing’s’ progress.
The discrepancy is too significant!
When he reached the central laboratory of the institute, he heard Dai Tianqing report, "The last verification greatly accelerated our progress, so thank you. We have designed a new experiment to discern at which level the infection occurs in the virus. However, we think both the protein and gene levels are possibilities."
"How is it on your end?" Dai Tianqing asked in a low voice, "You should also be at this step, right?"
"Yes."
Yan Xuelin replied resignedly, "Just completed."
"Just completed? What does this mean?" Dai Tianqing was slightly taken aback.
Yan Xuelin took a deep breath and said, "What I mean is, they have determined that the infection occurs at the protein level."
He sighed, patted Dai Tianqing’s shoulder, and said, "Old Dai, don’t take offense to what I’m about to say. Over the days, I’ve come to think that separating into groups for research may have been a mistake. You’re continually trying to keep pace with their progress, using their conclusions for validation, which, surely, is a situation we want to avoid, right?"
"..."
"How about you consider joining their research? If we all work together, things will move faster."
"..."
"Let’s not separate into groups anymore, we can share data, experiments, and results."
Dai Tianqing hesitated a bit, "But..."
"But what? You’ve been chasing their progress twice before, using their conclusions for your validations. I haven’t reported this, and they don’t know about it."
Yan Xuelin spoke earnestly, "If we continue like this, how different is it from stealing results? If someone finds out, imagine how it will look. If we let you proceed on your own, do you have the confidence to catch up, let alone surpass them?"
"..."
"..."
Both Dai Tianqing and Li Ming, who was also present, fell silent.
Catch up?
For the time being, there was no hope in sight.
They realized that their counterparts were always one step ahead, and by the time they verified their counterpart’s conclusions, the other side had already moved on to the next.
They could not fathom how the other side conducted its research.
This didn’t make sense!
But suggesting that they should stop separating into groups and work together on the experiments was not a proposition they could accept. They were leaders in the lab, experienced researchers.
What should they do now?
Dai Tianqing and Li Ming looked at each other, unsure of the next steps.
Han Hui suggested, "Let’s wait and see. We won’t validate the conclusions, just carry out normal research. We’ll present our progress in comparison with theirs in the review next week."
"Let’s wait until the review concludes."
"Alright!"
"I agree!"
"It’s settled then."
