Two days later.

Nine o'clock in the morning.

Yanjing University School of Life Sciences.

Inside the first laboratory.

Zhao Heng, dressed in a white dustproof sterile suit, was watching Professor Li Hongwei as he performed destiny regulation to re-differentiate the spinal cord into neural stem cells.

Over at Eastern Hospital, upon hearing that Zhao Heng had contacted Professor Li Hongwei at Yanjing University School of Life Sciences for stem cell cultivation, Gao Jun was so shocked his eyes almost popped out.

Regarding Zhao Heng's request to observe, Gao Jun readily agreed, and when Liu Ziang learned about this, he further proposed to reassure Zhao Heng, saying he would personally attend to Sun Xinxin's bedside.

With the support of these mentors and friends, Zhao Heng naturally came to the scene to observe Professor Li Hongwei's operations without any burdens.

To be honest, although such opportunities are rare, they are basically useless to others because the process is too advanced, impossible to understand or learn from.

Just as Li Hongwei was meticulously working, Zhao Heng suddenly saw a familiar yet long-missed white light sphere fall from Li Hongwei.

Zhao Heng's mood was extremely excited at this moment, he had prepared so much for this and finally it arrived.

With ease, Zhao Heng, feeling a stir within himself, saw the white light sphere—only visible to him—turn into a streak of light and enter his mind.

[Ding! Congratulations, host, for picking up and merging with Cell Fate Regulation (Mastery)!]

The system notification sounded at this moment, never before had Zhao Heng found this sound so pleasant to the ear.

With the fusion of "Cell Fate Regulation (Mastery)," Zhao Heng suddenly gained deep insights into this highly advanced and profound technology, equivalent to a brilliant biological scientist with decades of research experience.

However, Zhao Heng noticed that the skill that fell from Professor Li Hongwei and was merged was only at the mastery level, which indicated that there was still significant room for improvement in this technology.

Li Hongwei had just completed an operation and during a brief break, seeing Zhao Heng so focused, he asked, "Xiao Zhao, do you know the two main destiny choices stem cells undergo during development?"

Li Hongwei asked this question essentially as a form of teaching.

So, he didn't expect Zhao Heng to answer.

"I think it's the process of self-renewing proliferation and the process of differentiating into functional progeny cells, right?"

Zhao Heng retrieved his newly acquired experience from Li Hongwei, and slowly said.

"..."

Li Hongwei was momentarily stunned by Zhao Heng's answer.

"Professor, did I answer incorrectly?"

Zhao Heng searched his mind again to confirm his accuracy and asked with some confusion.

"Hmm, no, it's correct, it's correct. Hmm... Then let me ask you, what key points should be noted in stem cell differentiation?"

Zhao Heng's answer completely exceeded Li Hongwei's expectations, so he decided to ask a more in-depth question to explore Zhao Heng's level.

"Stem cell differentiation must ensure that stem cells provide the body with a steady supply of functional differentiated progeny cells; it must also ensure that the stem cells have sufficient reserves within their microenvironment. At the same time, it should prevent excessive differentiation causing the stem cell reservoir to deplete; as well as avoid excessive proliferation that leads to tumor-like structures."

"Professor, did I answer correctly?"

Zhao Heng quickly searched his mind's information and continued.

"..you answered very correctly. Then let me ask you, in stem cells, how does the Csn4 factor, as part of the COP9 complex, maintain self-renewal of stem cells?"

"Moreover, how is Bam, a pro-differentiation factor expressed abundantly in differentiated progeny cells, competitively recruitment of Csn4 to alter the functions of other Csn protein components for promoting differentiation?"

Seeing Zhao Heng answered again, Li Hongwei lost some composure, quickly asking the two issues he had recently been exploring.

He couldn't believe Zhao Heng could answer these two questions, that would be truly unbelievable!

"Hmm.."

Zhao Heng pondered, as both questions were extremely difficult, even when searching his mind's knowledge and experience, it took time and required organizing language and expression.

"It's okay, Xiaozhao, it's normal if you can't answer."

Seeing Zhao Heng paused, looking deeply thoughtful, Li Hongwei breathed a sigh of relief and comforted Zhao Heng.

To be honest, Zhao Heng answering the previous two questions had already shown potential to be his student, to inherit his legacy.

It's worth noting that he doesn't easily take on students.

"Professor, I figured it out."

Just as Li Hongwei was secretly breathing a sigh of relief, Zhao Heng spoke up, he had organized his thoughts.

"Ha? You figured it out? That's impossible, tell me!"

Upon hearing Zhao Heng, Li Hongwei was somewhat incredulous and asked eagerly.

"CSN4 is one of Bam-targeted self-renewal factors. This evolutionary conserved multifunctional complex contains 8 protein subunits, their respective functions are...."

Next, Zhao Heng spent nearly ten minutes explaining Li Hongwei's two most difficult questions in great detail.

Initially, when Li Hongwei listened, he was somewhat dismissive but the more he listened, the more solemn he became. Zhao Heng's level in cell fate regulation technology was beyond his expectations.

After listening to Zhao Heng's explanation, Li Hongwei suppressed his inner excitement, incredulously asked a question that he himself had yet to resolve.

"Being CSN4 is the only non-participating subunit in stem cell differentiation among the 8 subunits, why do you think CSN4 results in effects opposite to other CSN proteins?"

After posing this question, Li Hongwei stared closely at Zhao Heng, he was utterly nervous.

"CSN4?"

Zhao Heng heard Li Hongwei's question, falling into thought.

After a while, he could only shake his head at Li Hongwei saying, "Sorry, Professor, I can't answer this question."

"Can't answer? Good! No, not good. Xiaozhao, you really gave me quite a surprise!"

Li Hongwei spoke somewhat impulsively.

Upon Zhao Heng said he couldn't answer this question, his heart was settled. If Zhao Heng could answer even this question, Zhao Heng would be his teacher instead of him being a teacher here.

"Xiaozhao, next, you join me in my work. I'm confident your help would save a lot of time over the month."

Li Hongwei examined Zhao Heng carefully, though inside he found Zhao Heng's level astonishing, initially felt shocked, after being startled, it was pure delight.

Such a young Zhao Heng, with such capability, how could scientific research not thrive!

"Hmm, thank you, Professor."

Zhao Heng humbly nodded without a hint of arrogance.

Participating in stem cell cultivation in such an outstanding manner, Zhao Heng also aimed to shorten the cultivation time, it was an inevitable course.

Moreover, Li Hongwei's actions were truly worthy of his respect.

"Hmm, hmm, good."

Seeing Zhao Heng's modest demeanor, Li Hongwei was even more satisfied.

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