Doctor: Picking Up Attributes in the Hospital-Chapter 356 - 330: An Invitation from Professor Li Hongwei (Part 2)
Or to put it differently, fate is very fair to everyone.
When it gives you something, it always takes away some of your precious things.
"Just a headache, and a bit of nausea."
Ma Xiaochen said weakly, her face pale.
In the late stages of a malignant tumor, it’s always like this—unable to eat, poor digestion, and the body’s consumption relies entirely on its stored fat. If it progresses further, it leads to extreme emaciation.
"Add some anti-nausea fluid today."
Zhao Heng turned to Liu Meng and said.
"Dr. Zhao, when will the nanotechnology treatment begin?"
Liu Qing stood up and asked eagerly.
She understood that her son was now racing against death, and every extra minute he lived was a gain.
"This afternoon, I will go to Professor Li Hongwei’s laboratory at Yanjing University to prepare the first batch of carbon nanotubes for stabilizing the condition. The research and development of the siRNA colloidal bundle is ongoing."
"Don’t worry."
Zhao Heng explained and then comforted Liu Qing.
He could empathize with Liu Qing’s current anxiety.
"Hmm, thank you, Dr. Zhao."
Liu Qing nodded, knowing she was anxious, but she couldn’t help it.
Having reached her level of status, marriage was practically meaningless. What she cared about most now was her son.
After checking the ward, Zhao Heng left the hospital and went to Professor Li Hongwei’s No. 1 laboratory at Yanjing University.
It was exactly nine o’clock when he got to the lab, just in time for Professor Li Hongwei to start his day’s work.
In the laboratory.
Zhao Heng and Professor Li Hongwei stood together in front of the reactor; the first batch of raw materials had already been placed inside, and the next step involved very fine real-time adjustments.
"Professor, why are there so many more raw materials this time?"
Seeing the extra raw materials in the reactor, Zhao Heng couldn’t help but ask with some confusion.
"It’s for the sample required by country H."
Professor Li Hongwei said briefly.
It’s not easy for Professor Li Hongwei either, leading such a large national laboratory, and the results from this lab don’t quickly generate economic benefits, so he is under significant pressure.
Especially the pressure from funding shortages, which has always been his biggest challenge.
Fortunately, with a ten-billion investment from Jianteng Group, his funding problems for research and development have been greatly relieved. For the next five to ten years, this lab won’t lack research funding.
"Professor, can I ask what we exchanged for from country H this time?"
Zhao Heng looked at Li Hongwei, unable to suppress his curiosity.
Previously, it was mentioned that exchanging the preparation method of the nano-formulation with country H would require a significant exchange, but Zhao Heng was quite curious about what exactly might be acquired.
"It’s some technology related to semiconductors and graphene."
Li Hongwei replied concisely.
There was nothing to hide from Zhao Heng, as he had accomplished something significant, and everyone was quite pleased with him.
That’s why he received a reward, which was the business card given to him by Gao Jun.
"Yes, semiconductors and graphene are basically the only valuable things from country H; the rest are just so-so."
Zhao Heng nodded. Semiconductor and graphene technologies are indeed country H’s strengths, and even obtaining a small amount could significantly tackle the "neck-stuck" problems in these domains.
"Correct, technology is the most valuable thing now."
Li Hongwei nodded.
"Xiao Zhao, what are your thoughts on the research and development of the siRNA colloidal bundle?"
After a pause, Li Hongwei asked again.
"Under the current conditions, Professor, I am inclined to use free radical polymerization to prepare the siRNA colloidal bundle."
Zhao Heng thought for a moment and replied.
"Hmm, elaborate."
Hearing Zhao Heng’s words, Li Hongwei nodded and said.
"Professor, as we know, siRNA is negatively charged, so we can first prepare a guanidinylating reagent containing an acrylate group, then pre-adsorb it with siRNA. This ensures that free radical polymerization can occur on the siRNA surface."
"Next, we can introduce GSH-sensitive disulfide bonds and PEG-NHS acrylate structures into the system, and then add APS and TEMED to initiate free radical polymerization."
"With this approach, the prepared siRNA colloidal bundle can carry drug molecules, enter tumor cells via endocytosis through the LRP-1 receptor highly expressed on brain endothelial and tumor surfaces. Inside the cell, in the presence of high GSH concentrations, siRNA can be quickly released in the cytoplasm, thereby achieving a complete treatment of glioblastoma."
Zhao Heng explained in an orderly fashion. The process of preparing siRNA filled several pages, and he only summarized the basic process.
"Hmm, Xiao Zhao, your explanation is very complete and aligns with my thoughts."
Hearing such a succinct and orderly presentation, Li Hongwei looked at Zhao Heng with admiration, his pleased mood evident.
Previously, Li Hongwei had been concerned that in this field of research, it was all supported by scientists like himself, who were in their fifties and sixties, inevitably giving a sense of lack of successors.
Teaching at Yanjing University for so many years, Li Hongwei had encountered geniuses, whether practical or theoretical, frequently at this top university.
But the outstanding among these geniuses rarely chose research that is slow to yield results, possibly taking ten or twenty years to show results.
Many set their sights on finance and management from the start, entering investment banking after graduation for a glamorous job, high income, and quick results, which is the common mentality among young talents today.
What troubled Li Hongwei most was a promising doctoral student under him who, after obtaining a Ph.D., chose not to pursue research but to seek a teaching position at a prestigious high school in North City.
The doctoral candidate he had high hopes for chose to become a high school biology teacher rather than continuing research, which saddened Li Hongwei for a long time.
Of course, everyone has their own choice, but every Ph.D. at Yanjing University requires a massive investment of resources; the degree is built with resources.
This means, if choosing to become a high school biology teacher, one should not pursue a Ph.D. in the first place, not even a master’s degree is necessary.
Letting a biology Ph.D. teach in a high school is an immense waste of national educational resources!
"However, free radical polymerization is very unstable. We can coat a layer of polymer on the siRNA surface, then add Angiopep-2 peptides containing amino groups for amidation, significantly enhancing the reaction’s stability."
Li Hongwei pondered for a bit and added.
"Yes, that would indeed greatly enhance the stability of the reaction."
Zhao Heng nodded. Although he had basically absorbed all of Professor Li Hongwei’s experience and knowledge, application and integration would take some time for gradual adaptation.
As of now, Professor Li Hongwei, the original version, had more comprehensive considerations than Zhao Heng, the imitation. Although their knowledge was about the same, Li Hongwei was evidently more adept in applying it, which required time to accumulate slowly.
"Xiao Zhao, I heard you’re pursuing a graduate degree with Professor Huang?"
Li Hongwei looked at Zhao Heng and suddenly asked.
"Yes, it’s an integrated master’s and Ph.D. in anesthesiology."
Zhao Heng nodded.
"Since you’re pursuing that, why not also pursue one here? I have a master’s and Ph.D. program slot available here too."
Li Hongwei said.
It was something he had contemplated for a long time. For a talent like Zhao Heng, Li Hongwei felt it necessary to cultivate him well. His genius should be applied to research, to projects that could benefit more people.
