After hearing that Fang Hong said that he planned to invest a sum of money, Lu Guangqi and the others were very excited. They turned from sadness to joy, and the excitement was almost written on their faces. Zhu Yingdong, on the other hand, was relatively calm.
Fang Hong nodded and said with a smile: "We'll wait until we do it, just in case it succeeds."
Zhu Yingdong also replied in high spirits: "Thank you very much for your support!"
I never expected that Fang Hong could get funds from here. After a while, Fang Hong asked in a deep voice: "Is this project of yours owned by the school, or is it your own independent project?"
Hearing this, Zhu Yingdong couldn't help but smile and replied: "If it had been from the school, this conversation between us might not have happened. The funding has not been approved at all. The current research expenses are all my own savings."
Fang Hong nodded when he heard it and said: "I understand, let's do this, Professor Zhu, I will invest 30 million first for your team project."
As soon as these words came out, Zhu Yingdong and several graduate students he led behind him were shocked. Zhu Yingdong said in shock: "You said you want to invest 30 million? No, no, otherwise our research is not very expensive. 5 million is completely enough."
They did not expect that Fang Hong was not only willing to invest money in their project, but also wanted to spend 30 million as soon as he opened his mouth. This really shocked them.
At this time, Fang Hong stopped facing the screen and said, "Professor, please listen to what I have to say. Since your scientific research project is independent, it will be different for me to intervene as an employer. Do you think 5 million is enough?" It's because you have used Zhejiang University's resources to some extent. In order to avoid unnecessary intellectual property disputes in the future, you should completely separate your project and confirm all rights."
Fang Hong said methodically: "Then the experimental equipment needs to be repurchased, right? Do we also need the venue? This all requires money. 5 million may not be enough. I invest 30 million and spend 10 million every year. The three-year budget should be enough, right?" .”
Zhu Yingdong said quickly: "Enough is definitely enough, even five years is enough."
He suddenly discovered that although Fang Hong was young, he was very considerate, and it was obviously a temporary consideration, which also surprised Zhu Yingdong.
At this moment, Professor Zhu's face was rosy and his spirit was particularly exciting, while Fang Hong continued: "In this way, I will send a few people back to Zhejiang University with funds and contracts to meet with you. I plan to set up a company and invest 30 million in funds there. The company’s account, and your entire project will be packaged under the company’s name.”
Fang Hong added: "This research project is completely decided by you, professor, and the company's capital control rights are given to you, but there must be a clear traceable flow of funds. Then your team holds 50% of the company's equity. As for teaching your team how to allocate your internal solutions, I will also take 50% of the equity. If the project dies in the future, the company will be bankrupt and deregistered. If progress and breakthroughs continue to be made, I will further provide financing for the company to meet the needs of the project. Research grants provide new financial support.”
Finally, Fang Hong looked at Zhu Yingdong in the video and said, "Professor Zhu, if you accept this plan, I will arrange for someone to go over and actively promote related matters in the next few days."
Zhu Yingdong on the other side replied without much thought: "I accept."
Hearing this, Fang Hong was not surprised at all that he agreed so happily. If he didn't accept the project, he would have to give up early. He nodded and Fang Hong said with a smile: "Okay, I wish you, Professor, leave your address and contact information. My people You will be contacted soon.”
Zhu Yingdong looked back at Lu Guangqi and asked him to send his contact information and address back to Fang Hong. At the end of the video communication, Fang Hong added: "Professor Zhu, after the agreement is signed, you will announce this matter to the public. I believe there are others There are many other scientific research teams facing the same difficulties as your team, and I hope they will find me when they see this."
Zhu Yingdong nodded and smiled: "There is no problem. Mr. Fang's support for scientific research is a great thing for the scientific research community. If you don't tell me, I will help promote it."
Finally, Fang Hong added: "One more thing, please don't reveal my personal privacy to the outside world. To the outside world, just refer to me by my K3478 blogger nickname on Weibo. I don't want to be disturbed too much. "
Zhu Yingdong nodded again: "No problem."
The two sides chatted for a few more words and then ended the call. Fang Hong also left the study to go to dinner. On the other side, after Zhu Yingdong and the others ended the call, several graduate students he led, including Lu Guangqi and others who were members of the project team, cheered on the spot.
Lu Guangqi said excitedly: "I didn't expect that the negotiation was completed in less than an hour. It's still 30 million. Now I don't have to worry about funding for five years."
Another graduate student also said: "As long as there is progress within five years, and we will invest money in the future, there will definitely be progress in five years!"
Zhu Yingdong got up from the computer, looked at Lu Guangqi and said, "Go and send Mr. Fang a contact address."
Lu Guangqi nodded and said, "Okay, Professor!"
…
During tea time, Fang Hong started a video chat with the BGI team in the study room on the second floor. Tian Jiayi was also in the room, but she did not appear in the camera.
At this moment, the team leader on the screen, Dr. Yue Lang, introduced his project to Fang Hong: "We use genetically modified mitochondria to convert light energy into usable chemical energy and extend the lifespan of nematodes. More than 30%, reversing the aging process..."
Fang Hong discovered that Yue Lang's team and Zhu Yingdong's team both used the same attribute - light energy!
The difference between the two is that Yue Lang's team started from mitochondria.
Yue Lang on the screen continued: "mitochondria are the energy factories of cells. They can use glucose to produce an energy unit called ATP. ATP is adenosine triphosphate. This universal high-energy phosphate compound is the most direct source of energy in the body. It can provide energy support for multiple key functions within cells, such as muscle contraction."
"When mitochondria synthesize ATP, they store electrochemical potential energy on the inner mitochondrial membrane. When the concentration of protons on both sides of the inner membrane is asymmetric, a mitochondrial membrane potential will be formed, which is the potential difference between the two sides of the membrane. Our latest research progress shows that mitochondrial dysfunction is one of the core factors that trigger aging, and the potential difference decreases with age."
Fang Hong couldn't help but said: "Does it mean that finding ways to increase this membrane potential can reverse anti-aging?"
Yue Lang's voice came from the video: "This is also a question we are trying to prove. We have launched research on this. Our team genetically modified the nematodes used in the experiment to express light-activated proton pumps from fungi. In this way, Now, when the nematode is exposed to light, the proton pump can move particles directly across this membrane and use light energy to charge the mitochondria."
Yue Lang continued clearly: "Our modification increased the membrane potential and promoted the synthesis of ATP. The lifespan of the modified nematodes increased by about 30% to 40%. Although this technology cannot directly use light at the moment, It can help human cells reverse aging, but it is of great significance for understanding the complex processes inside mitochondria. Maybe we will find new ways to treat related diseases and delay aging."
Having said this, Yue Lang added with a wry smile: "According to the plan, we may use human cells or rodent cells to conduct further experimental research, but the funds are no longer enough to support our further research..."
Fang Hong nodded silently without saying a word. He couldn't help but compare the anti-aging research directions of the two teams in his mind. Fang Hong was not an authoritative expert in this field. Which direction had more potential or both had potential? Or They all have no potential and he can't judge it.
But relatively speaking, he is more inclined to the project of Yue Lang's team, for no other reason. If Zhu Yingdong's team has the right idea and can transfer the photosynthesis ability of plants to humans, wouldn't it be like the Hulk? ?
At the end, Fang Hong said with a smile: "It's a very interesting project, Dr. Yue Lang. I'll invest 50 million in you first. If there is progress in the future, I will continue to invest more."
As soon as these words came out, Yue Lang's team on the other side of the video was first shocked, and then excited.
This greatly exceeded their expectations. They originally wanted 20 million, but if it didn't work out, 10 million would be fine. Unexpectedly, Fang Hong took the initiative to ask for it, and as soon as he asked, he took out 50 million.
What they don't know is that Fang Hong pays more attention to another external factor - genetic compilation!
Yue Lang's team may not be aware of this, and the term "gene compilation" is not popular now, but Fang Hong, as a time traveler, understands that once Yue Lang's research continues to advance, it will most likely have to be done later. touch this area.
Gene editing is a highly controversial area, even taboo.
But humans finally broke through this taboo ethics and opened the door. Fang Hong knew that in just five years, someone would violate the rules and secretly perform gene editing on human embryos and implant them into the mother's body, eventually impregnating two volunteers. One of them gave birth to twin baby girls.
No matter what, this door has finally been opened by humans. Although compilation of human genes is still prohibited, gene editing technology has gradually developed in other fields.
When the whole world is doing it, will you do it? This is a problem.
Fang Hong’s answer is simple, do it!
You don't do it, but others are doing it. When others use this to do it to you, but you don't do it, there will be no place to cry.
…
(End of chapter)
