"Rebuild the immune system?" Wang Wei was dumbfounded.
"Do you know what's the most effective clinical treatment for leukemia?" Chen Chen asked.
"Uh, I didn't pay much attention to it. It's probably biomedical knowledge." Wang Wei scratched his head.
"To put it simply, leukemia is a disease of hematopoietic stem cells. For some reason, the hematopoietic stem cells in the human body undergo malignant proliferation, which inhibits the normal hematopoietic function of the human body. The principle is similar to cancer, so it's also known as' blood cancer '."
Chen Chen explained, "Currently, the most effective way to treat leukemia in the medical world is to perform bone marrow matching and select a volunteer with the closest genetic resemblance to the patient. Then, the patient will undergo chemotherapy and radiation to kill off the hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow.
"After that, the volunteer will be injected with a drug called 'mobilization agent' to stimulate the growth of hematopoietic stem cells in the bone marrow and release them into the blood. After that, the hospital will collect these stem cells and inject them into the patient's body.
"As the hematopoietic stem cells in the patient's body have already been killed, a niche is left in the patient's body. The newly injected hematopoietic stem cells will produce a 'homing' effect and spontaneously enter the patient's bone marrow. In one to two months, the patient's immune system will be rebuilt."
Chen Chen concluded, "This is called a bone marrow transplant. The healthy hematopoietic stem cells of the volunteer are used to replace the diseased stem cells of the patient. The so-called bone marrow isn't really bone marrow, it's just a hematopoietic stem cell transplant."
"What does this have to do with your experiment?" Xia Yin asked eagerly.
"My third experiment is to select a group of old and frail rats and clone them. Then, we'll extract young hematopoietic stem cells and mesenchymal stem cells from the cloned bodies.
"Then, just like the treatment for leukemia, we'll kill the hematopoietic stem cells and replace them with the cloned stem cells."
Chen Chen pondered. "If it succeeds, will this aging rat regain its youth as a result?"
"That, that's impossible, right?" Xia Yin was shocked.
"Why not?"
The corner of Chen Chen's mouth curled up. "Mesenchymal stem cells have the ability to differentiate into muscle cells, liver cells, osteoblasts, fat cells, chondrocytes, stromal cells, and many other cells.
"Why does the human body age? That's because of the functional decline of human muscles, bones, and internal organs. But why do human muscles, bones, and internal organs age? It's senescence that comes from stem cells. "
"The stem cells of young people can constantly replicate and replace the aging muscle cells, bone cells, and internal organs. Therefore, the metabolism of young people is much faster than that of adults. However, when humans reach the age of 30, the stem cells will show signs of aging. The speed of replication and replacement will gradually be unable to keep up with the aging speed of the cells, so the human body will also show signs of aging …"
Chen Chen said, "So, if the human mesenchymal stem cells and hematopoietic stem cells can be restored to youth, can the human body also be restored to youth? Even if the other internal organs can't be restored to their youth, the muscles, bones, hematopoiesis, and other body functions can be restored to their youth. This is something that many people can only dream of, right? "
Upon hearing this, Xia Yin immediately revealed a thoughtful expression. After all, she was already in her fourth year of university and was more knowledgeable than Wang Wei. She also understood better than Wang Wei what kind of impact this experiment would have on the modern medical world if it were to succeed.
"If it really succeeds, this kind of result is enough to invest in Zone 1." Xia Yin revealed a look of longing.
"I've already contacted Mongan Pharmaceutical Company. We can use their channels to help us purchase the experimental drugs. I've asked about the price, and it's absolutely fair."
Chen Chen added. "We can start the experiment today."
"Then let's go now." Xia Yin agreed. "If we start the experiment early, we might be able to complete it in three months!"
The three of them immediately set off and took a taxi to the Mongan Pharmaceutical Company building. The Mediterranean man who had previously shown Chen Chen and Xia Yin around was also waiting for a long time.
It had only been a few days since they last saw each other, but the Mediterranean region above Mr. Mediterranean's head seemed to have expanded even further.
"You're finally here. If you took any longer, the leader would've scolded me to death."
Mr. Mediterranean smiled bitterly. "I shouldn't have agreed to your condition of only calculating the rental time after the winter break. We lost more than a week for nothing."
"Have you bought everything?"
"Yes, the head-mounted experiment recorder and various experimental drugs have been bought. I've already helped you move them to the fifth floor."
Mr. Mediterranean took out three magnetic cards and handed them to Chen Chen. "These are the laboratory access cards. From now on, we'll send someone to check the laboratory once a month. If there's any damage, please compensate according to the price. I hope you'll take good care of our experimental equipment and don't pollute the laboratory environment."
"Of course." Chen Chen took the magnetic cards.
"And this." Mr. Mediterranean took out another business card. "This is the contact person for our laboratory's supply. If you're short on experimental drugs and experimental animals, you can call this number to purchase them."
Chen Chen took the business card. It showed that the contact person was from the Shangdu Animal Experimental Research Center. He handed the business card to Xia Yin.
Since all the agreements had been signed, Mr. Mediterranean took his leave after sending Chen Chen and the others to the fifth floor.
"The entire floor is the laboratory you rented?"
Wang Wei wandered around on the fifth floor, touching everything with a curious look on his face. "This is too extravagant. It's even better than the laboratory environment in school. Oh right, where do I enter the GMP laboratory? Why don't I see the entrance?"
"It's in the basic laboratory."
Chen Chen changed into disposable slippers and walked into the basic laboratory. "The blue alloy door in front is the entrance. There are two compartments at the back of the basic laboratory. I had them buy three beds and put them in there. It can be used as a lounge."
The two of them followed Chen Chen in and saw a large pile of items in the basic laboratory. Among them were three foldable beds.
In addition, there were various sealed chemicals. The three of them would have to be busy for some time to transport these chemicals into the clean area.
As students of the Institute of Biological Sciences, this was not the first time the three of them had entered a sterile laboratory. They were familiar with the procedures. Wang Wei was responsible for moving the chemicals into the buffer corridor, Xia Yin was responsible for placing them into the transfer window, and Chen Chen was responsible for receiving them in the GMP laboratory.
As the three of them got busy, they were able to divide the work among themselves and carry out their tasks in an orderly manner.
However, not long after, the elevator door opened again. A man came in pushing a small cart of sterile boxes.
"These are the SPF-grade experimental animals you guys call them, right?"
"Yes." Wang Wei was responsible for delivering the chemicals outside. At this time, he immediately informed Xia Yin to come out and inspect the experimental animals and sign the contract.
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