Next.

Nine a.m.

Zhao Heng once again came to the research institute of Professor Li Hongwei of the School of Life Sciences of Yenching University.

Standing in the laboratory, Zhao Heng looked at the electronic screen in front of him, and the picture displayed on it was the latest research result of Professor Li Hongwei's team, which used chemical small molecules to establish stem cells (EPS cells) with totipotency characteristics for the first time in vitro, which has stronger developmental potential and will provide a better source for the preparation of various functionally mature cell types in vitro.

"Professor, is this the latest EPS cell with totipotent characteristics? It's amazing. ”

Looking at the electronic screen, Zhao Heng couldn't help but praise and said, thinking that this was the result of independent research and development by domestic scientists, Zhao Heng felt full of pride in his heart.

I don't know when he will be able to develop such scientific results independently.

At this moment, Zhao Heng couldn't help but think in his heart.

"Yes, after twenty years, EPS cells have finally been developed."

Professor Li Hongwei also said with great emotion.

He is now 50 years old, and this achievement, since he was 30 years old, has been developed with his mentor at the time, until now, after two generations of efforts, this achievement has finally come out, scientific research is not easy.

"At present, it is only the first generation of cells, Xiao Zhao, and now this project needs talents like you to join, and we will work harder to study the second or even third generation of cells, so that they can be put into clinical use soon." In the future, we will use this totipotent EPS cells to prepare functional blood cells, pancreatic islet cells, and liver cells by directional differentiation, and combine gene editing technology to prepare new anti-tumor CAR-T cells. ”

After a pause, Professor Li Hongwei said with pride.

Hearing his words full of pride, Zhao Heng was also encouraged, and his heart was very moved.

"Professor, it's an honor to be involved in such a project, and I will do my best."

Zhao Heng said very seriously.

He was telling the truth, and it was an honor for him to be part of such a great project.

Moreover, so far, Zhao Heng has only picked up the skill of "Cell Fate Regulation" from Professor Li Hongwei, and for a professor like Li Hongwei, he obviously has more than one skill.

It's just that in this way, Zhao Heng's schedule is even more tense.

"Very good, Xiao Zhao, I am very optimistic about you. Maybe in the future, this field will be up to you to take over. ”

Professor Li Hongwei has a very high evaluation of Zhao Heng, and he almost regards Zhao Heng as the future successor.

Think about it, you know that Yenching University is the top university in China, and there are countless geniuses in it, but no one has received such a mantle as Professor Li Hongwei, so you know how high Professor Li Hongwei's requirements and standards are.

"Thank you, Professor, I'll do my best."

For Professor Li Hongwei to value himself so much, Zhao Heng felt very proud in his heart on the one hand, and on the other hand, this was also a kind of pressure.

Regarding this point, just look at the eyes of other doctoral students in the laboratory who followed Professor Li Hongwei when they looked at Zhao Heng.

The doctors who can follow Professor Li Hongwei can be said to be the elite of the elite, but no one can get such a high evaluation from Professor Li Hongwei.

It can be said that with the birth of EPS cells, Professor Li Hongwei's evaluation of academicians has been appropriate.

In the future, in the field of domestic life sciences, Professor Li Hongwei will also be the absolute elder, who can get Professor Li Hongwei's attention at this time, this will simply be a step to the sky.

It's no wonder that the other doctoral students looked at Zhao Heng with envy, jealousy and hatred.

"Professor, now that the first generation of EPS cells has come out, the next research direction is to chimerize EPS cells into early embryos, and then participate in the development of various cell lineages of embryos, right?"

After a pause, Zhao Heng thought about it and said what he thought.

"Yes, Xiao Zhao, you are right. However, at present, the developmental potential of primary EPS cells is limited to the intraembryonic tissues, and it is difficult to develop into extraembryonic tissues such as placenta and yolk sac. In the future, our research will focus on how to establish and maintain stem cell lines with intraembryonic and extraembryonic development potential in vitro, which is also the most challenging problem in the field of stem cell research in the world. ”

For the idea put forward by Zhao Heng, Professor Li Hongwei was very appreciative and said slowly.

"So there's still a long way to go."

Zhao Heng nodded and said.

Scientific research is never-ending, especially in the current scientific community, and it is very difficult to research a completely new result.

"Yes, at present, although we have completed the injection of human EPS cells into early mouse embryos, and can be stably chimeric into mouse embryonic tissues, the efficiency of intraembryonic integration ratio has been nearly 20 times higher than before, but there is still a long way to go before it can be applied to humans or even clinically."

Professor Li Hongwei said slowly.

Next, Zhao Heng, as an assistant to Professor Li Hongwei, continued to participate in the development of the first generation of EPS cells.

By half-past eleven, the work was over.

Coming to Professor Li Hongwei's side, it was only a morning time, and in the afternoon, Zhao Heng had to rush back to the hospital to work.

Before leaving, Professor Li Hongwei said to Zhao Heng: "Xiao Zhao, you are too tired to run on both sides, otherwise I will tell your dean and let you stay here." ”

For Zhao Heng, Li Hongwei really appreciates it too much, on the one hand, Zhao Heng's level is simply higher than what he can have at this age, on the other hand, Zhao Heng's attitude is also very correct, it can be said that in his work, Zhao Heng is the kind of extremely serious and responsible person, which makes Professor Li Hongwei very reluctant to Zhao Heng such a good assistant.

"Professor, I still can't let go of the work at the hospital."

Regarding Professor Li Hongwei's unconcealed appreciation and invitation, Zhao Heng could only say that he declined.

It is impossible for him to give up his job in the hospital, treating the sick and saving people, this is his original intention to study medicine.

"It's good that you young people have your own ideas."

Seeing that Zhao Heng said this, Professor Li Hongwei no longer insisted on it, but he still had some regrets, if Zhao Heng had been there, then his research efficiency would have to be at least doubled.

"Professor, I'd like to ask something."

This is all leaving, Zhao Heng asked Professor Li Hongwei at this time.

It was also this time that Professor Li Hongwei's research results greatly shocked Zhao Heng, and he remembered that this time he would also ask about the professor who was proficient in gene targeted therapy.