1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 678 Even cheating requires luck? The small petri dish contains Professor Li's magnanimity!

After Bingzhi finished his report, Li Qiwei asked him to show him around the laboratory.

"Professor, should I inform them?"

"At this time, everyone should be conducting experiments."

Li Qiwei waved his hand and said:

"Don't make a big fuss."

"I just want to see the real state of everyone's research."

"Just pretend I wasn't here."

Bingzhi understood immediately and made no further special arrangements.

At this moment, Li Youyou said:

"Dad, I won't stay with you then. My bacterial culture experiment is almost done."

Li Qiwei said with a smile:

"Go."

He and Bingzhi then walked towards the laboratory together.

Like physics, biology is a vast discipline with many branches.

But in this era, biology was far less complex than it would be in later times.

Based on the different research objects, biology is mainly divided into three categories: botany, zoology, and microbiology.

For example, Bingzhi's major is zoology.

He has conducted research in the fields of entomology, anatomy, vertebrate morphology, and paleontology.

With the development of physics and chemistry, and the increasing sophistication of technology, microbiology has gradually become the mainstream.

The reason is also very simple.

Because cells are the foundation of life, the deeper we study them, the more thoroughly we understand life.

And for studying cells, microbiology is certainly more suitable.

Not only are the raw materials simple to manufacture, but the operation is also very simple; all you need is a microscope and a petri dish to study for a whole day.

The currently popular fields of protein and DNA research are all accomplished by extracting substances from bacterial cells and other sources.

Therefore, the microbiology research group at the Institute of Biology occupies two entire floors and is the mainstream research direction in the institute.

As Li Qiwei and Bingzhi went upstairs, they chatted casually:
"When I visited the institute during the last groundbreaking ceremony, antibiotics were mentioned. Does the institute conduct research in this area?"

Li Qiwei asked this question because Bingzhi had not mentioned this point when he reported the results.

Logically speaking, the other party should never ignore what they said.

So he found it very strange.

Upon hearing this, Bingzhi gave a wry smile and said:

"Professor, I dare not lie to you, we really haven't made any progress in the field of antibiotics."

"There were also some heated discussions about antibiotics at this year's biotechnology conference."

"Most bacteriologists are pessimistic about antibiotics."

"They believe that natural, highly effective antibiotics do not exist; otherwise, bacteria would have evolved because of the presence of antibiotics."

"It can only be synthesized through chemical means."

"Therefore, the institute has made relatively little progress in this area."

Li Qiwei smiled slightly upon hearing this.

He did not mean to blame Bingzhi.

The other party probably shared this view, so Bingzhi deliberately omitted it to avoid embarrassing Professor Li.

After all, that's the truth.

Various antibiotics were discovered in the world a long time ago, but they were all eventually proven to be of little use.

Therefore, most people gave up.

In real history, Fleming himself discovered penicillin by chance. (Chapter 582)
If you really put him in charge of researching antibiotics right away, he might not be able to find any.

Then, Li Qiwei laughed and said:

"Looks like I was too optimistic."

“Researching antibiotics is quite difficult.”

Bingzhi felt a little embarrassed, thinking he had let Professor Li down.

He quickly added:
"However, major pharmaceutical companies are paying close attention to the progress of antibiotics."

"They believe that the emergence of antibiotics may change the entire landscape of medicine."

"Because there are more and more cases of bacterial infections now, but there is still no specific medicine."

Li Qiwei laughed:
"This is a good thing!"

"The greater the demand, the more important antibiotics are."

"If it could be invented, it would definitely create enormous economic and cultural value."

"After all, this is something that can save lives."

Suddenly, Bingzhi thought of something and said excitedly:
"By the way, Professor."

“We have an outstanding young man in our institute who has been researching antibiotics and has never given up.”

Bingzhi suddenly thought of this person, who might be able to make up for Professor Li's regret.

Li Qiwei immediately became interested and asked:

"Oh? Who is it?"

Bingzhi smiled and said:

His name is Ma Yucheng.

"He is a very talented young man."

"His undergraduate major was microbiology."

"Ever since your speech, he has made up his mind to focus on antibiotic research."

I have an impression of Li Qiwei.

At the groundbreaking ceremony for the Institute of Biology, when he gave his speech, a young man did indeed ask about the future of biology.

Ridgway mentioned antibiotics at the time.

"His name is Ma Yucheng."

Suddenly, a stream of information flooded into Li Qiwei's mind, causing a smile to appear on his lips.

"Why didn't you introduce yourself when you asked the question?"

He almost missed out on a biological genius.

In real history, Ma Yucheng was a pioneer in the research and preparation of antibiotics in China, and one of the founders of antibiotic theory and technology in my country.

At that time, the production of antibiotics was monopolized by the United States.

One important point is that the culture medium for Penicillium must use a type of corn syrup that is a specialty of the United States.

Only in this way can the production of antibiotics be significantly increased to meet industrial use needs.

However, Ma Yucheng overcame this problem through extensive research.

He used cottonseed cake, which is common in China, instead of corn paste and achieved the same effect.

In addition, he invented a method for extracting potassium penicillin crystals using a saturated ethanol solution of potassium acetate.

These two achievements are of great significance, enabling China to break free from the bottleneck of raw material supply in the field of antibiotic manufacturing.

This also allowed China's antibiotic research to catch up with the world's leading level.

Later, Ma Yucheng not only established an antibiotics specialty but also built an antibiotics factory, making great contributions to my country's antibiotic industry.

Finally, he unfortunately died of illness due to prolonged use of toxic chemical reagents during his research on antibiotics.

Facing such a great man who dedicated his life to the country, Li Qiwei was filled with emotion.

Now, he has met a younger version of Ma Yucheng.

"Ding!"

"Your system has been credited."

Inside a laboratory on the third floor of the Institute of Biology.

Wearing a white lab coat, Ma Yucheng is carefully tending to her petri dish.

The golden petri dish looks like a hopeful golden chocolate.

However, after taking a bite, you won't get any hope; instead, you'll get diarrhea.

Because it's full of Staphylococcus aureus, a type of bacteria that can cause stomach aches.

While attending the Global Scientists Conference, Ma Yucheng listened to a report by a British biologist on the production of variant colonies in Staphylococcus aureus.

The other party's research results show that Staphylococcus aureus can produce variant colonies after being cultured on agarose medium for 52 days.

He became very interested and wanted to study it.

Ma Yucheng is dedicated to antibiotic research, so he pays special attention to all the latest developments related to bacteria.

"Perhaps I can discover some new bacteria?"

This global science conference was indeed a major blow to him.

The main reason is that most bacteriologists are not optimistic about antibiotics.

However, Ma Yucheng did not lose heart or give up because of this.

It was as if he had failed hundreds or thousands of times, but never given up.

"I believe in Professor Li, and I believe in myself!"

"There is such a great demand for antibiotics, I must find them!" After arriving in Borneo, he felt as if he had been reborn.

His pursuit of science immersed him in his own world, where every day was a new and exciting experience.

Geniuses abound here, true warriors are everywhere.

He believes that the setbacks he is currently facing are insignificant.

Is anything more difficult than Zhao Zhongyao taking to the sky in a hot air balloon?
That's research done at the risk of one's life!

Compared to that, failing a few petri dishes is like playing house.

As a good friend, Ma Yucheng was genuinely happy for the other person.

The brothers often get together in private to talk about science and their ideals.

He still remembered the joke Zhao Zhongyao had made back then:

"Let's set a small goal first: win the Nobel Prize!"

But now, the other party is really going to make it happen.

The discovery of the antielectron is absolutely Nobel Prize-worthy; the award is only a matter of time.

Every time Ma Yucheng thinks about this, he is filled with intense emotion:
"This is the best of times!"

"Heroes rise and fall with the times!"

After quietly drinking a bowl of chicken soup, he regained his composure and continued to carefully arrange the petri dishes.

At that moment, he didn't notice that two figures were observing him from outside the laboratory's transparent window.

Li Qiwei said softly:

"good."

He was very satisfied with Ma Yucheng's research attitude; the other party was meticulous even when wiping the lab table.

This is very important for biological experiments.

Bingzhi also chimed in:

"Yu Cheng is probably the most hardworking person in our institute."

"Aside from research, he did almost nothing else."

Li Qiwei nodded, having made up his mind.

Just then, Ma Yucheng finished preparing the petri dish and was about to come out to get something.

Suddenly, he saw the person entering through the door and exclaimed with delight:

"Professor Li, and Director Bing too!"

What brings you two here?

Li Qiwei laughed:
“I heard from Director Bing that you have been researching antibiotics. I happened to be passing by the institute today, so I came here specifically to take a look.”

Bingzhi stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile:

"This is a great opportunity to learn from Professor Li!"

Ma Yucheng felt that happiness had come too suddenly.

Presumably, these two experts were watching me operate the petri dish before.

He was very glad that he hadn't been irresponsible, otherwise he would have regretted it immensely.

He quickly began to explain what he had just been doing.

Staphylococcus aureus

"."

"I am currently repeating this experiment to see what kind of mutant bacteria I can get."

Li Qiwei nodded slightly after listening, and said:
"Can I see the Staphylococcus aureus culture dish?"

“When I was in England, I spoke with Professor Wright of St. Mary’s Hospital.”

"So I also learned some knowledge about bacteria."

Wow!
Ma Yucheng was shocked.

Professor Wright is a leading figure in the field of bacteriology.

He didn't expect that Professor Li knew the other party.

"That's true, top scientists definitely appreciate each other."

As he pondered this, he returned to the lab and retrieved the petri dish.

Li Qiwei took a look and saw that the golden Staphylococcus aureus had already begun to grow.

If you add Penicillium at this point, it will cause the penicillin to secrete penicillin, which will kill Staphylococcus aureus.

Unfortunately, Li Qiwei didn't know how to bring it up.

He can't just tell you to add some penicillin, can he?

"This cheat is hard to use!"

However, at that moment, as if fate were on China's side, silvery laughter echoed through the corridor.

Li Youyou, with the light steps of a young girl, excitedly jogged over.

"Dad, look!"

"This is the Penicillium mold I cultivated. Isn't it beautiful?"

Li Qiwei's expression immediately became incredibly interesting.

It's like giving me a pillow when I feel sleepy.

He held the bluish-green petri dish as if it were a rare treasure:
"It's so beautiful."

When Ma Yucheng saw Li Youyou, he smiled. He knew who she was and often gave her guidance in her experiments.

He smiled and said:

"Wow, you learn so fast!"

"Penicillium is a type of bacteria that is very difficult to culture."

Li Youyou was very happy to hear this.

She suddenly noticed the golden petri dish and quickly asked:

"Senior Brother Ma, what kind of bacteria is this? It's golden yellow!"

Ma Yucheng explained with a smile:
"This is called Staphylococcus aureus."

"I am replicating the experimental results of a paper."

The two started chatting immediately.

At this moment, when no one was paying attention, Li Qiwei took the Staphylococcus aureus culture dish and then gently poured the Penicillium culture dish into it.

Tiny Penicillium seeds entered the Staphylococcus aureus culture dish.

The cheat code activation is officially complete.

Then, Li Qiwei said:

"I accidentally opened two petri dishes at the same time. Will they contaminate each other?"

what?
Li Youyou came to her senses and exclaimed in surprise:

"Oh dear, Dad, your operation is so improper."

"Waaah, my penicillium, please don't die!"

Ma Yucheng took the petri dish, looked at it, and said:

"It's alright, Professor Li."

"My Staphylococcus aureus was also only recently cultured."

"Just make one again."

"Besides, my original research focused on mutant bacteria."

"Pollution is not necessarily a bad thing."

Li Youyou said:
"Brother Ma, you're such a kind person."

They all burst into laughter.

Then, Li Qiwei said:

"Yu Cheng has such a good attitude!"

"However, I must admit my mistake."

"Yucheng, don't throw away that contaminated petri dish. Help me continue culturing it."

"If it is indeed contaminated, it can be used as negative material in the laboratory later."

"Everyone must abide by rules and regulations, and I am no exception!"

Wow!
Ma Yucheng was immediately filled with admiration.

He was moved by Professor Li's strict self-discipline!

When faced with an unfamiliar field, the other party doesn't think about covering up mistakes, but rather boldly admits their shortcomings.

This is the true demeanor of a master!

After the incident, Ridgeway told the two to focus on their experiments while he and Bingzhi continued their tour.

This time, he only watched from afar and did not touch it himself.

Set an example and improve everyone's biological literacy.

Meanwhile, Ma Yucheng separately preserved and cultured the petri dish suspected of being contaminated with Penicillium.

The small petri dish contained Professor Li's magnanimity.

However, what he didn't know was that an accident that would change the world of biology was happening quietly.

(End of this chapter)