Surgery Godfather

Chapter 2242: Chapter 1459: Here to Share Good News (Part 2)

"There are three main points of progress this week. First, breakthrough advancements have been made in the optimization of the original cell culture process. We’ve improved the culture medium formula and conditions, and now the yield of each batch has increased by fifty percent compared to last month, with purity reaching ninety-six percent. We’re another step closer to the ninety-nine percent target."

"Second, Weber’s temperature exposure time experiment has completed repeat validation, and the results are stable and reliable. We are preparing a short communication, aiming to submit to the journal Nature. Weber is the first author, I am the corresponding author, and Professor Yang is the collaborative author."

Tang Shun looked at Yang Ping as he said this. Yang Ping nodded, showing agreement.

"Third, Manstein’s research on unknown factors has achieved significant progress. Mass spectrometry verification confirmed the existence of the protein, and functional experiments showed that the recombinant protein can significantly promote stem cell differentiation into neurons. We are preparing a long paper, also targeting Nature or Cell."

After Tang Shun finished reporting, a low buzz of discussion filled the meeting room. The simultaneous preparation of two Nature-level papers is an important milestone for the Institute.

Yang Ping picked up the thread: "Everyone should focus on the papers, but don’t sacrifice quality just to rush them. Tang Shun, make sure everything is well-coordinated, and ensure that each paper can withstand scrutiny."

"Understood." Tang Shun sat down.

The second report was from Lu Xiaolu. He stood up, not using a PPT, but directly opened a file on his laptop.

"From the Tumor Laboratory, there have been new advances in the application research of three-dimensional directional gene theory in lung cancer. We designed a new gene editing strategy that showed good effect at the cellular level. But there is a problem—the strategy also has certain off-target effects in normal cells, which is very low, but may be fatal in clinical translation."

"What’s the off-target rate?" Yang Ping asked.

"Around one in a thousand," Lu Xiaolu said.

Yang Ping frowned. An off-target rate of one in a thousand is acceptable in basic research but poses an unacceptable risk if used in humans. A one in a thousand off-target event, if it happens in a critical tumor-suppressing gene, could lead to new tumors.

"Continue to optimize, and lower the off-target rate to below one in a million," Yang Ping said, "Also, establish a more sensitive off-target detection method. Just because you can’t detect an off-target event doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist."

"Alright, I’ll arrange it." Lu Xiaolu noted it down in his laptop.

The third report was from Manstein. He stood up, walked to the projection screen, and opened a PPT filled with data and charts.

"My report is divided into three parts. First, the mass spectrometry validation data of the unknown factor is all sorted, with a matching rate of ninety-nine point seven percent, without dispute. Second, the functional validation data of the recombinant unknown factor, with completed neuron differentiation experiments and stem cell co-culture experiments, all results are positive. Third, the joint screening of proteomics and metabolomics found a few candidate molecules that may interact with the unknown factor."

Manstein explained everything in great detail, clearly interpreting every piece of data. His PPT was beautifully made, with clear charts, harmonious colors, and concise text, evidently a lot of effort was put into it.

"Manstein," Yang Ping said after he finished, "your PPT is getting better and better, did you secretly attend some training courses?"

The meeting room burst into laughter.

Manstein scratched his head, looking a bit embarrassed: "Didn’t attend classes, just read a few books on PPT creation. I think having good data is one thing, but explaining them clearly is another. If the PPT is poorly made, even the best data can be buried."

Yang Ping said, "You’re right, but don’t overly focus on form, content is always the priority."

Manstein nodded and sat down.

Next was Weber, whose spirits seemed much better than in previous days, with dark circles under his eyes noticeably lighter, presumably because he finally had a good night’s sleep.

"I have two things to report. First, the complete data of the temperature exposure time experiment has undergone four independent repetitions, with stable results. I am preparing to write a short communication, tentatively titled ’Sensitivity of the Early Window Period to Differentiation Induction after Cell Seeding,’ about two thousand words, and not too many images, just four."

"Second, in the functional verification experiment of the unknown factor, I used the recombinant protein provided by Manstein for stem cell co-culture. The results showed that the group with added recombinant protein had nearly three times the neuron differentiation ratio compared to the control group, the effect was comparable to conditioning with the original cell culture medium. This indicates that Manstein’s hypothesis is correct, and it really is this secretory protein at work, not the cells themselves."

At this point, Weber was met with a round of applause from the meeting room.

This is a tradition at the Institute: anyone with significant progress gets an applause. The tradition was proposed by Tang Shun; Yang Ping initially thought it was a bit of a formality, but later found the effect quite good, at least it provided a means of openly expressing recognition and encouragement.

Weber’s face showed a tinge of blush, not sure if due to excitement or embarrassment.

He said, "Thank you all, but the experiment isn’t finished. Manstein is working on the verification of the recombinant protein expression in mammalian cells, which hasn’t yielded results yet. Only when that also turns out positive can this hypothesis be truly confirmed."

"That’s being rigorous," Yang Ping said, "Maintain such a rigorous attitude, and your scientific journey will go further."

Weber sat down, unable to suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth.

Lastly to report was Jiang Jitong. He stood up, with a printed experimental plan in hand, and walked to the projection screen.

"I am reporting on the revision of the large animal experiment plan. I’ve added a positive control group, using a commercial vaccine as a control. I’ve also increased the number of animals from six in each group to twelve to meet statistical power requirements. The observation time points have been adjusted as well, adding a one-week time point."

Jiang Jitong spoke quickly, as if racing against time, yet his presentation was organized and clear. Although his expression was not as fluent as Weber’s, the logical and rigorous nature of his content was no less.

"I’ve reviewed the plan," Yang Ping said, "Well-written. But there’s a problem with the positive control vaccine you added. The dosage and method of administration need to match clinical practices, not randomly select. Check the leaflet and follow the highest recommended dose."

"I’ve already checked." Jiang Jitong flipped to the last page of the plan, "I’ve copied the relevant content from the leaflet, take a look."

Yang Ping glanced at it, indeed copied to the letter, even the punctuation was intact.

"Alright, follow this plan." Yang Ping handed the plan back to him, "Is the funding sufficient?"

"It’s sufficient, Director Tang has already approved."

"Good."

Jiang Jitong sat down, letting out a long breath, like he’d completed a major task.

With the meeting concluding, it was almost four o’clock.

Yang Ping returned to his office, leaned back in his chair, and rubbed his temples. Such lengthy meetings are more exhausting than performing a surgery. At least surgery is done standing, with the mind sharply focused, and doesn’t actually feel tiring. Sitting in a meeting, staying seated for over an hour, mind needing to be sharply focused, listening to each person’s report, thinking about each person’s issues, offering suggestions to each one—his brain works rapidly but his body remains motionless, truly uncomfortable.

His phone buzzed—it was a message from Xiao Su.

"Can you come home early today? Dabao has returned from grandma’s and said he misses you."

Yang Ping checked the time and his schedule. He had no other plans for this afternoon, so he could leave early.

"Okay, I’ll be home by five thirty."

"Then I’ll go buy groceries, what would you like to eat?"

"I’ll eat whatever you make."

"Alright, I’ll make something then."

Yang Ping couldn’t help but smile looking at the conversation on his phone screen.

He stood up, tidied his belongings, turned off the computer, and prepared to leave work.

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