Cultivate a black technology god

Chapter 154 Gene Therapy Cure AIDS

"How is the gain and loss of this flow reaction calculated? Why have I never seen this formula?"

"I checked all the relevant literature, and there is not even a shadow of this formula."

"And how is this ksa hyperparameter measured? Is there a theoretical basis? It's a bit outrageous."

Several researchers got together and discussed in a hurry.

Xia Zhi watched from the side, and couldn't help saying:

"Do an experiment to verify it, don't you know? Practice brings true knowledge."

The group leader nodded and said:
"Stop sitting together and prepare the experimental materials quickly."

Before leaving, Xia Zhi added another sentence:
"be careful."

"it is good."

Before Xia Zhi left, he went to the Institute of Biological Sciences again. He heard that a third research group had been set up here to analyze protein structures. It was a group derived from the human genome where Tian Yamei worked.

This protein structure analysis group can provide analysis solutions for human genes.

Both protein folding and crystallographic data can be used to analyze gene expression.

For example, some diseases are caused by the misfolding of proteins in the genome.

The protein structure analysis group can then use experiments to test how proteins fold in space.

While listening to the dean's introduction, Xia Zhi came to this newly established research group.

The dean introduced Xia Zhi to the technical director here, Wanda Kukulski, a biochemist from the University of Bern in Switzerland.

Wanda was watching a video of the inside of an unusual cell.

This video was made using a technique called cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), which allows researchers to observe proteins in cells at high resolution.

In these videos, all kinds of amazing things can be seen, such as the inner workings of cells and the compartments inside cells, in unprecedented detail.

Xia Zhi looked at it for a while, only saw some patterns with strange structures, and couldn't figure out why. He looked at Wanda and asked:

"Is there any deep meaning to these patterns?"

Wanda laughed and explained:
"I was overwhelmed by their beauty and complexity, and at night, I watched them like a documentary, trying to find out the basis for their arrangement."

The dean next to him reorganized the language and translated it to Xia Zhi:
"Wanda researchers are familiarizing themselves with the use of this machine and using these structural maps to predict the internal framework of cellular proteins."

Xia Zhi smiled and nodded:
"Very advanced."

The dean smiled and said:

"Yeah, that machine alone costs tens of millions."

Now Zhixia University of Science and Technology can apply for research funding from the country, but it cannot reimburse tens of millions of equipment costs like this.

The money will eventually come from Zhixia Technology.

In addition to Zhixia Technology, some sponsors will donate money and equipment to support the research of Zhixia University of Science and Technology.

Zhixia University of Science and Technology has just started, and the research funding has already become the highest operating cost of all companies under the name of Zhixia Technology.

One advantage of spending money quickly is that it helps Xia Zhi earn system points quickly.

In less than a month, the first series of tasks of the human genome project in his mind: gene sequencing has reached eighty:

【Mission in progress: Human Genome Project—Gene Sequencing】

[Development time: 25 days]

[Energy input: 3147 points]

[Investment funds: 1243487 points]

[External assistance: 875467 points]

[Total mission points: 84 points]

[Note: The minimum points required to enable system assistance: 100 task points. 】

As long as the scientific researchers are not for water papers, and the research plan and direction are effective, the system points will be collected very quickly.

Xia Zhi came to the human genome team in charge of Tian Yamei, wanting to see how the research here is going.

Xiaomei received Xia Zhi and introduced her work during this period.

This includes the third experimental group, the protein structure prediction group, established under Xiaomei's application.

Only then did Xia Zhi realize that it was no wonder that the points for gene sequencing were so high.

The capital and manpower input of the third experimental group were included in the task of gene sequencing.

Xia Zhi stayed with Xiaomei for a while longer, and visited an experiment on gene sequencing of experimental white mice.

By doing control experiments on experimental white mice, the disease-causing gene can be found genetically.

There are two sets of data on the left and right sides of Xiaomei, she pointed and said:

"The one on the right carries the new type of reassortant avian influenza virus H7N9. We can see the way this virus endangers human health based on gene sequencing, and solve this virus through gene therapy."

Xia Zhi found it interesting.

Xiaomei showed Xia Zhi the results of the researchers' sequencing of the AIDS (HIV) protease molecule as the object.

The shape of the enzyme varies slightly in different bodies, especially in the active region of the protein, where the enzyme completes the slicing and building up of the next virus, which in turn creates a specific viral genetic sequence.

Knowing the shape of the enzyme could lead to drugs that stop the process.

Xia Zhi smiled and said:

"So, a cure for AIDS is just around the corner."

Xiaomei said frankly:
"There is still some distance, we are just providing a treatment option."

Xia Zhi nodded:
"It means that it has not yet reached the application stage."

Xiaomei responded:

"We deduced the shape of the enzyme from the patient's genome sequence, constructed an accurate three-dimensional protein structure, screened matching drugs, sequenced and verified 9 of the 7 AIDS treatment drugs on the market, and reported the results to the attending doctor. give the best prescription."

Xia Zhi smiled and said:

"Then this replaces the doctor's job of dispensing medicine."

Xiaomei shook her head:
"The actual work is far more complicated than it seems. The more than 50 simulation models we have established require a computer equipped with 5000 processors to calculate non-stop for 12-18 hours, and a large amount of data analysis on the calculation results is required. Give the order of the drugs. Today's general-purpose computer technology is very difficult to do such a job, and we are working with the supercomputing team of the School of Computer Science to use their machines for testing."

Xia Zhi nodded:
"Many disciplines now use computers to assist calculations. I remember that the School of Computer Science is planning to purchase a small supercomputer."

Mentioning this, Xia Zhi remembered that this supercomputer was also purchased to assist Xiaomei's genome work.

The purchase cost and the technical manpower invested in the later stage will be counted as the task points of genetic engineering.

Xia Zhi couldn't help but sigh with emotion, doing scientific research to collect system points is really fast.

Xia Zhi was about to leave, Xiaomei suddenly invited Xia Zhi to do a gene sequencing.

Xia Zhi was eager to try, but still asked with some worry:
"Is this safe? It won't cause any physical harm to me, right?"

Tian Yamei smiled and said:
"Of course not, we only need to collect a drop of your blood for gene sequencing."

Xia Zhi smiled and said:

"Is it that simple? Come and give me a set."

Tian Yamei called a staff member wearing a medical mask and gloves to take a blood sample from Xia Zhi.

Xia Zhi watched the staff operate, and Tian Yamei introduced to Xia Zhi and said:
"Apple founder Steve Jobs and movie star Angelina Jolie both used gene sequencing methods in the hope of warding off cancer, and Jolie also had her breasts removed preventively."

Xia Zhi was a little surprised, and asked again:

"By the way, how did Jobs die?"

Tian Yamei replied:

"Pancreatic cancer spread. Pancreatic cancer was diagnosed at the age of 24 and died at the age of 56."

Xia Zhi nodded silently.

(End of this chapter)