They’re all reborn, what’s wrong with being a little more almighty?

Chapter 187: Perseverance will eventually clear the clouds and reveal the sun!
For the scientists studying hybrid rice at the scene, what Zhang Wei said was undoubtedly a science fiction movie brought to reality.

Before this, if you wanted to improve rice's yield, drought resistance, disease resistance and other traits, you mainly relied on artificial selection to select better-quality plants for breeding.

However, this breeding method cannot overcome the natural growth laws of organisms, the time is very slow, and the randomness is very high. Because of trait segregation, you cannot guarantee that excellent plants will remain equally outstanding in the next generation.

But with gene editing technology, it is completely different. It can directly change the characteristics of rice at the genetic level. Many ideas that were originally unachievable can be experimented through gene editing.

In other words, the study of hybrid rice has been directly upgraded from the study of plants to the study of molecular organisms.

At this time, the venue had fallen into silence. Even though everyone here was an expert in hybrid rice, for them, what Zhang Wei just introduced was indeed too advanced. Way to digest so much information.

This is a group of people who are still using traditional pollination breeding methods to breed hybrid rice. They are suddenly told that the traditional artificial selection breeding methods in the past can be abandoned, and that genetic means can now be used to directly change the characteristics of hybrid rice. They do have some reactions. Don't come.

It is like letting the J-7 pilot sit in the cockpit of the J-20. Even the most ace J-7 pilot has to figure out what the things on the instrument panel are for.

Seeing the reaction of everyone in the venue, Zhang Wei nodded with satisfaction. This was exactly the effect he wanted.

There are three generations of hybrid rice in China. The first generation hybrid rice was the one that Academician Yuan Longping overcame various difficulties and finally successfully developed in 1973.

It is more productive, more resistant to drought, more resistant to pests and diseases, and can even achieve apomixis, which is something that was never thought of before!
Moreover, genes can be adjusted in a targeted manner according to different climate and soil conditions in various places. In some places where the weather is relatively dry, drought-resistant genes can be added; in some places where the soil is more saline-alkaline, salt-alkali resistance genes can be added. .

But with this genetic scissors, a new variety can be produced in three to five years, and scientific research efficiency will increase exponentially.

The soil quality across the country is even more different. The type, texture, nutrient content and soil formation process of the soil are completely different.

A small country has a small territory, and the whole country may have only one kind of soil and one kind of weather. When giving a weather forecast, you can tell the whole country's weather forecast in one sentence.

Now with genetic scissors technology, this process may be shortened to less than five years. After gene editing is completed in the laboratory, it can be directly used for breeding to get the desired variety.

For example, the development of second-generation hybrid rice began in 1980 and was successfully developed in 1995. It took a total of fifteen years.

After understanding this, the hybrid rice experts at the scene could not sit still. They all looked at the old man sitting in the front row, hoping that the old man could speak and introduce this new technology immediately.

The golden age of a scientific researcher is thirty years. Without a team, at most three or four varieties of hybrid rice can be developed in just thirty years.

For example, in the Yangtze River Delta region, there are dense river networks, low and flat terrain, fine soil texture, rich in organic matter, and it is a typical paddy soil.

At that time, Academician Yuan Longping's team discovered a male-sterile wild rice in Hainan, which later became famous as "Wild Failure", and then bred the first generation of hybrid rice based on this. It can be said that all subsequent hybrid rice are the children of this wild failure.

However, in 2005, there was still room for improvement in the second generation of hybrid rice. What Zhang Wei said was beyond the understanding of this era, and it really felt like watching a science fiction movie.

To put it simply, it is to select individuals with excellent shapes, combine different genotypes, and find the best pairing plan. There is no gene editing involved.

With this gene editing technology, there is no need to select excellent plants from generation to generation, and there is no need to go through generations of pollination and breeding. As long as you stay in the laboratory and change the genetic sequence of hybrid rice, you can develop Better varieties.

The first generation of hybrid rice increased yield by about 20% compared to ordinary rice at the time, which was already a very impressive figure at the time. Just this 20% is enough to fill the bellies of many families.

In 2005, China was still in the development stage of second-generation hybrid rice.

In 1980, the country began to develop second-generation hybrid rice. The second-generation hybrid rice is a two-line hybrid rice using phototemperature-sensitive nuclear sterile lines as genetic tools. It was successfully developed in 1995. Subsequently, the hybrid rice research institute continued to optimize , and cultivated a series of excellent varieties.

The old man took the lead in applauding, and other people also started to applaud. Suddenly, the entire venue burst into applause.

A staff member came to Zhang Wei and said, "Teacher Zhang Wei, the academician wants to see you, please come with me!"

If one acre of land grows dozens of kilograms of rice, how much more can it be sold for? With this research and development cost, I will go directly to foreign countries to import food!

In the future, genetic scissors technology will be used to improve the traits and stress resistance of third-generation hybrid rice.

For example, in the Yangtze River Basin, the soil is mostly alluvial soil. These soils are usually relatively fertile and contain high organic matter and mineral nutrients, which are conducive to the growth and high yield of rice.

It was not until around 2010 that transcription activator-like effector nuclease technology emerged, which greatly reduced the cost of gene editing, making it feasible to use gene editing to develop hybrid rice.

And when they understood, excitement appeared on their surprised and confused faces.

The research and development of third-generation hybrid rice began in 2010. The subject declared at that time was to use genetic engineering male sterility technology to develop a new generation of hybrid rice. Gene editing is the most basic technical means for research.

What really put the research and development of third-generation hybrid rice on the fast track was the emergence of genetic scissors technology.

However, the development of second-generation hybrid rice still uses traditional methods, which basically rely on cultivating from generation to generation and selecting plants needed by humans for hybridization.

More than ten years later, the third generation of Zajia rice has been developed. What Zhang Wei said is just an entry-level introduction.

After a while, some people gradually figured it out and completely understood what Zhang Wei just said.

In some hilly and mountainous areas, such as the southeastern coast, the soil may be dominated by red soil and yellow soil. These soils are relatively poor and have low nutrient content. More fertilizers and soil improvement measures are needed to increase rice yields.

Before this, scientists had thought of using gene editing methods to develop hybrid rice. However, the zinc finger nuclease technology at that time was too expensive. An experiment cost 5000 US dollars. It was not known how much it would cost to produce results.

What Zhang Wei just said is exactly the research direction that later generations of scientists have explored.

It may even be possible to develop rice adapted to seawater environments!
This may not mean much to those small countries, but for a big country like China, it is extraordinary.

However, the old man still took the lead in applauding, which was regarded as an affirmation of Zhang Wei's report.

……

Previous improvements were based on traditional methods of selecting plants, pollination and cultivation, and gradually improving new varieties. This process may take more than ten years.

North China has yellow soil and Northeast China has black soil. Of course, hybrid rice is not grown in these two places.

Compared with the first generation hybrid rice, the second generation hybrid rice has improved in terms of yield, quality and resistance.

A kind of rice suitable for the Yangtze River Basin may not be suitable for planting on the southeast coast. At this time, improvements need to be made according to local conditions.

The old man's expression was much calmer. He had been engaged in scientific research all his life, experienced too many storms, and witnessed too many ups and downs. Facing the pie painted by Zhang Wei, even though he was very moved, he didn't show it.

But big countries are different. Two adjacent provinces or two sides of a river will have very different climates, let alone differences between the north and the south.

With the deepening of research, the role of genetic scissors has become more and more obvious, and scientific researchers have also discovered many new ways to use genetic scissors.

"Okay, please lead the way!" Zhang Wei did not shirk, followed the staff member, and asked at the same time: "The academician wants to see me, does he still have questions about the genetic scissors technology?"

"How do I know this? The academician didn't tell me, so I didn't dare to ask!" The staff member smiled slightly and continued: "You should know when you see him."

Zhang Wei was taken to a small conference room, where in addition to the old man, there were several other experts from hybrid rice researchers.

"Dear leaders, I have invited Teacher Zhang Wei here!"

"Teacher Zhang Wei, please sit down!" Someone immediately asked Zhang Wei to sit down, and then poured Zhang Wei a cup of tea. After Zhang Wei greeted everyone, he sat down and didn't dare to speak. After all, the old man hadn't spoken yet, so he could only sit there obediently like a primary school student.

The old man looked at Zhang Wei carefully, and then asked: "Teacher Zhang Wei, how old are you this year?"

"Just call me Xiao Zhang. I can't bear the word teacher in front of you." Zhang Wei paused and then said: "I was born in 1985, and I am just twenty years old this year! "

"Twenty years old? So young! It seems that our country has another talented scientist!" The old man smiled, and then asked: "Where do you come from?"

"My family is from Qinhai City, and I grew up by the sea." Zhang Wei said.

"Qinhai City? You also have black soil there, and there is sufficient sunlight, which is conducive to the growth of rice, but the soil is relatively saline-alkaline. But you mainly grow traditional rice there, right? Hybrid rice doesn't seem to be grown much." The old man spoke.

"I really don't know about this. I grew up in the city and have never been in the countryside. I really don't know what kind of rice we grow in the countryside. To be honest, the rice grown in our cities is Older children can't even tell the difference between rice seedlings and leeks." Zhang Wei replied.

"Hehehe... That's right, many of the young people of your generation are indifferent! Fortunately, there are no industrious people. There are talented people from generation to generation, and there are also outstanding scholars like you!"

The old man also laughed, and he continued: "After listening to your report and talking about so many research and development directions, I thought you knew a lot about hybrid rice! It seems you just did enough homework!"

"I heard that I could come to report to you, so I prepared some information overnight, and I was still reading it when I got on the plane! There is no way, I know nothing about hybrid rice, so I can only sharpen my skills before the battle." Zhang Wei replied.

"But you're pretty good at sharpening your gun before the battle. You really sharpen the gun. And you can make such a wonderful report while sharpening your gun in the battle. It seems that you are also very talented in the research of hybrid rice!" The old man continued.

"Stop praising me. If you praise me again, my tail will be raised to the sky!" Zhang Wei said immediately.

"Just what you just said is worthy of praise! You don't have to be modest. Geniuses are many. Many of them are proficient in everything. For example, Mr. Qian Xuesen, in addition to studying rockets, he is also engaged in literature, music, art, architecture and gardening. They are all highly qualified.”

"How dare I compete with Mr. Qian!"

"Be better! Our generation is already old. The future depends on young people like you. You must do better than us and surpass us. Each generation will become stronger than the other, so that our country can continue to develop and grow!"

The old man smiled slightly and continued: "To be honest, after listening to your report, I really want to recruit you to our research institute. It's a pity, you are from Qingdao University, and Principal Gu will definitely not be able to let you go. of!"

"No, if you really want to poach me, your scientific research funding here will definitely be discounted." Zhang Wei said.

"Discount on scientific research funding? Why?" the old man asked curiously.

"To be honest, I am currently stuck with scientific research funding. As long as it is a project that I am responsible for, I cannot get a single penny of scientific research funding."

Zhang Weijiang briefly introduced the matter of refusing outsiders' signatures, and then being blocked from scientific research funds, which implicated the entire Tsinghua University.

By the time Zhang Wei finished explaining the cause and effect, the smile on the old man's face had completely disappeared. It could be seen that he was extremely disgusted with this kind of behavior. But he just sighed and said nothing.

The old man has been doing scientific research for so many years, from the most basic agricultural school teacher to the top national treasure-level scientist. Of course, he also knows some of the hidden rules and shortcomings of domestic scientific research.

Not only did he know it, he must have experienced similar situations.

It was precisely because he had experienced so many ups and downs that at this time, after listening to Zhang Wei's story, he did not show any indignation, but fell into silence.

Zhang Wei, on the other hand, still had an optimistic expression. He continued: "Let's not talk about these unhappy things. I finally get to see you. How about you give me a calligraphy treasure!"

"Okay!" The old man agreed without even thinking about it.

I saw the old man picking up a pen and writing a few big words on the paper: "Persevere despite perseverance, you will eventually be able to clear the clouds and see the sun!"

……

Daniels is a well-known intellectual property lawyer, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory is a major client of his law firm.

Now this big customer entrusted him to come to distant China to purchase a patented technology called "gene scissors".

For Daniels, this is a long time coming!
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory actually wants to purchase patented technology from other countries?
And this country is still China!

When Daniels first heard the news, his first reaction was to check his calendar, not April Fools' Day!
The most technologically powerful country in the world actually wants to purchase technology from third world countries? And it’s not an April Fool’s joke?

Even after boarding the plane and flying over the Pacific Ocean, Daniels still had a feeling that he had been tricked by some TV show? Are there hidden cameras around, filming themselves?

But in addition to himself, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory also sent three scientists to come together. If it was a prank, plus the business class ticket on the plane, if it was a prank, wouldn't it be too costly?

Finally, the flight successfully landed at Beijing International Airport.

Daniels and his party had just gotten off the plane and completed the customs procedures. Before they had time to pick up their checked luggage, they were stopped by an airport staff member.

"Sir, are you the negotiator for the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in the United States?"

"I am!" Daniels looked at the other party warily, and then said: "And I am a lawyer!"

I specifically emphasize that I am a lawyer, because I am worried that the other party will do anything wrong.

However, this staff member was very polite and said, "Please follow me. You can use the VIP exclusive channel."

"Take the VIP channel?" Daniels was stunned for a moment, then said, "I want to wait for my companion."

"No problem, you can all use the VIP exclusive channel."

Although Daniels was a little confused, he did not refuse the privilege. If there was a VIP channel, who would use the regular channel?

However, what Daniels did not expect was that when the negotiating team walked out of the VIP exit, reporters were waiting there and immediately surrounded them.

"Sir, are you the negotiators for Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory?"

"Are you coming to Qingdao University to purchase genetic scissors technology?"

"Excuse me, why do you want to purchase genetic scissors technology?"

“How much improvement can genetic scissors technology bring to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory?”

"In addition to genetic scissors technology, will you have any other cooperation with Tsinghua University?"

Some reporters asked questions in Chinese, while others asked questions in English, but their grammar was completely wrong and their pronunciation was not standard. Daniels kept going back and forth between not understanding and half understanding.

Looking at the reporters in front of him asking questions, Daniels was completely confused.

"I'm just here to buy a patent. Why did you give me a press conference as soon as I arrived at the airport! What kind of negotiation strategy is this?"

(End of this chapter)