Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 408 Biological Induction Experiment (Fifth Update)
The research efforts in the world of death have been strengthened in a targeted manner, which provides a more solid technical foundation for Chen Yu to further explore the mysteries of the primordial particles.

He wasted no time. After confirming that his new apprentices could effectively handle basic monitoring and data analysis tasks, he shifted his research focus to a more complex and critical area—attempting to use primordial particles to actively guide and catalyze more complex and specialized life forms.

Previous canyon experiments have demonstrated that life induced by genesis particles has the potential to adapt and evolve in extreme environments, but the process mainly depends on natural selection, which is not only slow but also uncertain in direction.

Chen Yu's current goal is to conduct precise and proactive intervention, attempting to bypass the long natural evolutionary cycle and directly "catalyze" the emergence of more complex life forms with specific functions.

He planned a new series of systematic experiments in the biological laboratory of the Eternal Seeker.

The experimental chamber was reconfigured and divided into several independent, highly shielded zones to prevent cross-contamination that may occur from different experiments.

The first phase of the research focused on enhancing and optimizing plant morphology.

Chen Yu selected three types of lichens and two types of ferns that survived the canyon ecological experiment and showed excellent environmental adaptability as basic templates.

Unlike previous experiments that simply accelerated growth or observed natural evolution, this time he focused on precisely and directionally modifying the physiological structure of plants.

"Inject the preset gene sequence 'Alpha-7'." Chen Yu gave the instruction to Bio-Unit-03, which was responsible for precise operation.

The three mechanical tentacles behind him simultaneously fine-tune the focus and output intensity of the energy field: "Objective: to strengthen the toughness of the xylem vessel structure, increase the thickness of the cell wall, and implant a pre-set photosynthesis enhancement circuit."

Precisely activated micro-genetic particles, guided by a highly constrained energy field, act like invisible nanosurgical scalpels, injecting compiled gene instruction sequences into plant samples that are in a rapid growth phase.

The data stream on the monitoring screen surged instantly, and the curves of multiple physiological indicators fluctuated dramatically, clearly reflecting the drastic changes taking place inside the sample: key processes such as rapid reorganization of chloroplast structure, thickening and strengthening of cell wall components, and reconstruction of vascular bundle system were proceeding simultaneously.

After a catalytic and stabilization process lasting six hours and seventeen minutes, the results gradually became clear.

Approximately 63 percent of the samples disintegrated due to their inability to withstand the drastic remodeling at the genetic level, with their cellular tissues breaking down into basic organic matter.

However, the remaining samples successfully survived the most critical adaptation period and exhibited significant and stable morphological changes.

These successful mutants exhibit remarkable new characteristics: their stem diameter increases by an average of 40 percent, the density of xylem vessels increases by about two times, and a unique, metallic-looking network of veins appears on the leaf surface.

Preliminary photosynthetic efficiency test data show that its energy conversion rate has steadily increased by 17 percent, and its tolerance threshold to the strong radiation environment on the surface of the dead world has also been significantly improved.

Chen Yu paid particular attention to an unexpected mutation in one of the ferns: a miniature prism-like structure naturally formed on the back of its leaves. Preliminary analysis showed that this structure could effectively dissipate excess absorbed radiation energy by converting it into heat energy.

This unplanned discovery piqued his interest and was immediately designated as a key area for observation and analysis. "Record in detail the morphological characteristics and key physiological data of all successful mutants," Chen Yu instructed the research team. "Transplant the surviving samples to the high-radiation environment testing area within the base and continuously monitor their long-term stability and genetic continuity."

These targeted enhancements to plant variants not only represent a crucial step towards building more complex and resilient plant life forms, but their generation process and subsequent performance also provide valuable data support for understanding the precise control of primordial particles in shaping macroscopic life structures.

Chen Yu specifically requested that the complete genome sequence of the fern variant with self-heat management capabilities be performed in an attempt to analyze the genetic basis behind its unique adaptation mechanism.

After gaining a preliminary understanding of the directed catalysis of multicellular plant structures, Chen Yu immediately shifted her research focus to a more microscopic but potentially more fundamental area—the guidance and evolution of complex microbial systems.

He selected several microorganisms that had previously been catalyzed in the canyon experiment and had shown excellent environmental adaptability as new gene templates.

These microorganisms include chemoautotrophic bacteria that can efficiently decompose rocks and minerals to obtain energy, as well as several archaea with unique structures and excellent tolerance to strong radiation.

"Initiate the directed evolution protocol 'Beta Sequence'." Chen Yu issued the instruction to Bio-Unit-07, which is in charge of the microbial unit. "Core objectives: enhance the stability of the cell membrane under extreme osmotic pressure, optimize the efficiency of its internal energy metabolism pathways, and attempt to introduce basic quorum sensing and cooperation mechanisms."

The experiment immediately demonstrated the high sensitivity of the genesis particles when manipulating the genomes of microorganisms, which have relatively simple structures but extremely complex biochemical networks.

In the initial culture units, the microbial community experienced a series of large-scale collapses during the critical stage of gene recombination, with cell structures generally disintegrating into amorphous biomass residues.

After five meticulous adjustments to the energy parameters and injection rhythm, Chen Yu discovered that the control precision of the guiding energy field must be improved to the nanometer level, and the life cycle rhythm of microorganisms must be precisely matched to ensure the stable integration and expression of exogenous gene sequences.

In the seventh systematic attempt, the microbial community within a specific culture unit finally exhibited stable directional evolutionary characteristics.

Continuous monitoring data show that these new microorganisms not only fully retain the remarkable environmental adaptability of their template ancestors, but also develop preliminary complex group behavior patterns.

They can coordinate some activities within the group by releasing and sensing specific chemical signaling molecules, and when they detect a lack of nutrients, they can initiate a coordinated dormancy program, greatly increasing the group's chances of survival.

Of particular note is that one of the subspecies exhibited unexpected genetic variations during its evolution.

These microorganisms can continuously secrete a special complex polysaccharide-protein biofilm. Experiments have shown that this biofilm can effectively attenuate or even block harmful high-energy radiation that is ubiquitous on the Earth's surface.

Chen Yu immediately isolated this variant with potential application value, cultured it independently, and labeled it as the "Gamma-7" strain, which was then included in the key research sequence.

"We need to record in detail the key enzymes and regulatory genes in the biomembrane synthesis pathway of the Gamma-7 strain," Chen Yu instructed the research team. "We should focus on analyzing the dynamic correlation between its gene expression profile and environmental radiation intensity factors."

(End of this chapter)