The fake heiress loves to act? The max-level boss isn't interested in playing along.

"If telomeres are a counter for the number of cell divisions..."

Fu Hua muttered to herself, rapidly calculating on the virtual notepad.

"So theoretically, as long as telomere length can be maintained, cells can divide indefinitely."

But this was in 1985, and without sufficient materials for experimental support, it was just a science fiction idea.

Two hours have passed in the outside world.

Twenty hours have passed inside the space.

Fu Hua finished studying the core literature and compiled three large notebooks of notes.

A review of fundamental telomere theory, key experimental design ideas, and cutting-edge research directions.

These are all topics she is addressing on her own.

It was also the topic she was most interested in since she transmigrated into the book.

That is, immortality.

Exiting her literature reading, Fu Hua headed to another new area of ​​the space.

"Sterile experimental area".

This is one of the upgrade features she values ​​most.

A miniature laboratory that is entirely maintained by space energy and achieves a cleanliness level of 100.

Currently, it is only about three square meters, equipped with basic cell culture equipment and a microscope (space simulation version).

And most importantly—the sample acquisition interface.

Only with these things could her research project continue.

Fu Hua pressed her finger on a silver disc in the center of the lab bench.

An option appears in your mind: [Please select a sample source:]

1. Autologous live sampling (painless, minimal sample volume)

2. Authorized external samples (physical inspection required)

3. Simulated sample generation (based on existing data)

She chose 1.

A slight tingling sensation came from my fingertips and then disappeared.

A drop of blood appeared suspended above the disc.

The basic data is automatically displayed next to it: [Nucleated cell count: normal, average telomere length: to be determined].

Fu Hua took a deep breath and began to operate.

The first step is to establish a cell culture system within the time acceleration zone.

She isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from her own blood sample.

Placed in simulated RPMI-1640 medium,

The space can simulate the components of the basic culture medium based on her knowledge.

Then, the long-term observation program is initiated.

At a time flow rate of 1:10

She can watch these cells divide, pass on, and divide again.

She takes a sample every time the gene is passed down through generations.

Telomere length was measured using spatial simulation techniques, and data was recorded.

It's 3 a.m. outside time.

Thirty hours passed inside the space.

The cells have been passaged fifteen times.

Fu Hua drank a cup of spiritual spring water and felt full of energy.

She stared intently at the experimental data panel, her eyes sharp and focused.

As predicted by theory: the average telomere length does indeed shorten slowly as the number of splits increases.

The rate of shortening is slow, but the trend is clear.

"Verified."

She said softly.

This is just the beginning.

The real problem is:

How can this shortening be prevented?

How to reverse it?

Fu Hua retrieved the advanced research directions she had previously compiled.

One assumption stands out in particular:

If telomerase is present, its activity may be regulated by the following factors:

1. Developmental stage (higher in embryonic stage, lower in adult tissues)

2. Cell type (germ cells and stem cells may retain viability)

3. Activation of carcinogenesis (immortalized cell lines are usually telomerase positive)

4. ……】

Her gaze fell on "cancer activation".

This will be the central paradox of research for the next few decades:

Activation of telomerase can lead to cell immortality.

It could also lead to cancer immortality.

Fu Hua thought even further ahead.

Space gave her more than just accelerated time.

It is also a completely controllable experimental environment without ethical restrictions.

She can attempt here explorations that are impossible in reality.

For example, in normal human cells,

The telomere maintenance mechanism can be activated in a controlled and safe manner.

This requires overcoming several technical hurdles, and the existence of telomerase is no longer a matter of proof.

The most crucial step in purifying and mimicking the active components of telomerase is finding a method to precisely regulate its activity.

It can maintain the replication capacity of normal cells,

It won't get out of control and cause cancer.

This is not something that can be accomplished overnight.

Fu Hua glanced at the time display in the space.

It was 4 a.m. outside, but 40 hours had passed inside the space.

She left the space.

Back in my bedroom, I felt no fatigue at all.

Conscious activity in this space does not consume physical energy; on the contrary, it brings a sense of complete clarity.

The sky outside the window was still pitch black.

…………

In the early afternoon of June, cicadas chirped noisily in the Su family courtyard, but the grape trellis provided a cool respite.

A chessboard was set up on the stone table, and three sprightly old men sat around it.

Grandpa Su played red, and Grandpa Xu played black.

Lu Xingzhou's maternal grandfather, Old Master Lin, moved a small stool and sat in the middle to watch the game.

Actually, it's not about watching the game.

They're busier than chess players.

"Old Su! Move the carriage! His horse is practically jumping right under your nose!"

Grandpa Lin pointed at the chessboard with his finger, slapping his thigh in frustration.

Grandpa Su slowly picked up his teacup: "What's the rush? I call this luring the enemy deep into my territory."

"What are you trying to lure the enemy into? If you keep doing this, even an old general will be checkmated. You researchers are just so slow and indecisive."

Grandpa Xu across from him chuckled, toying with two black stones in his hand: "Old Lin, a true gentleman observes a game without speaking, don't you understand the rules?"

"With you, Xu Datou, there's no need to follow the rules!"

Grandpa Lin wasn't having any of it. He turned to Grandpa Su and asked, "Old Su, when is that little girl Fu Hua coming? Didn't she say she'd be having lunch today? It's already noon!"

Grandpa Su glanced at the sun: "What's the rush? It'll come when it's meant to."

"How can I not be in a hurry?"

Grandpa Lin snorted, "If I didn't want to spar with that girl a bit, I'd be at home watching 'Journey to the West' right now! Today they're showing 'The Three Battles with the White Bone Demon'!"

Grandpa Xu laughed heartily: "You old rascal, you're over sixty years old and still watching TV dramas!"

"Is it any of your business?"

Grandpa Lin glared, then muttered, "That girl is really good at chess. Her endgame solutions are incredibly tricky. I studied her for half a month before I figured out the first few moves, and there are still parts I don't understand..."

Just then, the living room door opened with a creak.

Yue Xue came out of the kitchen carrying a fruit platter, followed by Su Rong.

The mother and daughter placed the sliced ​​watermelon and washed peaches on the low table next to the stone table.

"Gentlemen, you've been raining for two hours. Take a break and have some fruit to quench your thirst."

Yue Xue said with a smile.

Grandpa Xu looked Su Rong up and down: "Is this Rongrong? She's grown so much in the blink of an eye! Does she know how to play chess?"

Su Rong obediently shook her head: "Grandpa Xu, I can't."

"You should learn it."

Grandpa Xu picked up a slice of watermelon and said, "Chess cultivates character and exercises the mind. You young people only know how to study all day long, you should have some other hobbies."

Grandpa Lin chimed in, "That's right. Look at that girl Fu Hua. She's good at studying and playing chess too. Rongrong, you should learn from your cousin."

Su Rong's smile froze.

He quickly regained his composure: "My cousin is amazing, her talent is unparalleled, I can't compare."

When Grandma Su came out of the house and heard this,

He said gently, "Everyone has their own strengths. They should study what they like. You can't force them to do something."

"Mom is right."

Yue Xue pulled Su Rong over, "Rongrong, go help Mom cook. Gentlemen, you can start cooking first, I'll call you when the food is ready."