Inside the spacious drug laboratory, the printer kept emitting squeaky noises.
Chen Chen's gaze left the electron microscope in front of the lab bench. He stood up and slowly exhaled a breath of stale air.
As the plan gradually got on track, he finally had the resources to begin researching NZT-48.
Thinking of this, Chen Chen picked up the printed experimental report and quickly skimmed through the results of the past few days.
Drug name: Unnamed.
Ingredients: C15H15NO2S, C9H13N, C23H21N6O3Cl.CH4O3S, C18H14Cl4N2O.
1. Molar Refractivity: 44.09
2. Molar Volume (cm3/mol): 161.5
5. Polarizability (10-24cm3): 17.47
Emmmmm...
Chen Chen wore a complicated expression.
NZT-48 was actually produced by combining multiple synthetic drugs.
Apart from some common compounds, it even involved multifunctional targeted molecules.
Among NZT-48's ingredients, Chen Chen found 2-[(R)-(diphenylmethyl)sulfinyl]acetamide, α-methylphenethylamine, the benzodiazepine chloronitrazepam, Miconazole, and other substances.
God TM, Miconazole...
Chen Chen found the chemical formulas of many modern medicines commonly seen today, such as Modafinil and amphetamine. He had even discovered Daktarin's ingredients???
Chen Chen deliberately searched online, and as it turned out, he really did find a claim that Miconazole was an effective new remyelination agent.
In the study, the researchers proved that Miconazole could enhance myelin formation by inhibiting stem cells from expressing cholesterol-producing enzymes. The paper was titled: <Accumulation of 8,9-unsaturated sterols drives oligodendrocyte formation and remyelination>.
Of course, these research results were still only at the laboratory stage, and the direction had not truly been figured out yet.
In addition, Chen Chen found traces of N-pyridin-4-ylpiperazine-1-carboxamide, which could treat neurodegenerative diseases, in the drug.
Based on the effects of several of the later drugs, Chen Chen could determine that part of NZT-48's pharmacology should act on the neural myelin sheath.
The so-called neural myelin sheath was formed by oligodendrocytes wrapping around neuronal axons, creating a composite cell membrane.
The myelin sheath was mainly composed of fat. Produced by nerve cells, it formed a lipid sheath with an insulating effect, increasing the speed of nerve impulse transmission and protecting neuronal axons.
In other words, aside from proficiency, a person's reaction speed was actually determined by the neural myelin sheath. The thicker and more developed the sheath, the faster the person's reaction speed.
And vice versa.
In addition, Chen Chen found phenylalanine, isoleucine, and various other essential amino acids in NZT-48.
In other words, NZT already contained some of the nutrients required for the brain to operate at high speed. This did not surprise Chen Chen; instead, it felt perfectly natural.
After all, keeping the brain engaged in high-intensity activity for twelve consecutive hours was impossible without sufficient nutrition.
For now, however, NZT-48 appeared to be a standard synthetic neurological drug, as well as a brain metabolism and circulation enhancer, an arousal promoter, and a cognitive enhancer.
During this period, Chen Chen had gradually figured out some of the drug's mechanisms by testing his own bodily fluids.
NZT-48 possessed a certain neuroprotective effect. Its central excitatory effect probably worked by increasing glutamine synthetase, thereby reducing the production of γ-aminobutyric acid and promoting the detoxification and energy metabolism of nerve cells... probably?
As for its effects, it took approximately three minutes to work when taken orally, lasted for eleven to thirteen hours, and reached peak blood concentration approximately one hour after administration.
The bioavailability of the oral tablets was 90%, and their total protein-binding rate was 90%. The drug and its metabolites were excreted in the urine and feces, while the apparent plasma clearance rate was 110–180 ml per minute.
Those were all the experimental results.
Looking at the report, Chen Chen was not satisfied.
According to the experimental process, he had only deciphered thirty percent of the drug's components. Seventy percent of NZT-48's components remained unknown.
And fully researching those components would not be accomplished overnight.
If he truly wanted to study it, Chen Chen would need at least a fully equipped research center, a large team of more than a hundred people, and astronomical research funding.
It seemed that, besides building a power plant, Chen Chen had added another goal to his future plans.
Thinking of this, a faint smile curled up at the corners of Chen Chen's mouth.
Instead of becoming depressed and discouraged by the many obstacles ahead, Chen Chen's ambition burned even more fiercely.
Or rather, after taking NZT-48, Chen Chen was simply incapable of producing negative emotions like depression and discouragement.
After destroying every trace of his work in the laboratory, Chen Chen climbed onto the lab table and reconnected the severed circuits of several cameras in the corner. He then went to the ceiling in the middle of the laboratory.
Standing on the lab table, Chen Chen looked around. Then he took out a lighter and aimed it at the fire sprinkler.
Click!
A crisp sound rang out, and a dark-blue flame immediately rose from the lighter.
"Beep beep beep!"
The intelligent chip in the sprinkler detected an abnormal temperature and immediately issued a warning. Then, the four or five sprinklers throughout the laboratory sprayed out a massive amount of water like scattered flowers from heaven.
In an instant, the entire laboratory was drenched. The various experimental instruments lost power one after another and were soon submerged beneath a torrential downpour...
Chen Chen wiped the water from his face and turned to leave the laboratory.
As soon as he stepped out, Chen Chen saw a large crowd rushing over from the office area.
"What happened? What happened?"
A Mediterranean Man hurriedly asked the question while leading a group of security guards carrying fire extinguishers.
"Nothing. I accidentally triggered the fire alarm while conducting an experiment." Chen Chen replied calmly.
One of the security guards rushed into the laboratory. Only after confirming that there was no source of fire did he come back out, still shaken. "Manager, there's no fire. It's just that all the experimental equipment..."
Mediterranean Man and the others stared blankly at Chen Chen again.
"Don't worry. I'll pay for it."
Renting another company's laboratory was not a long-term solution after all. It seemed it was time to open a research center of his own.
On the way back, Chen Chen silently made his plans.
Then he took out his phone and dialed a number.
"Manager Xia, have the things I need, as well as my passport and visa, all been prepared?" Chen Chen asked.
"Chairman Chen, everything you need has already been prepared for you. It's all at your home." The voice on the other end, Xia Yin, replied in a strangely sarcastic tone.
"Good. I'll go back and take a look."
Without waiting for her to say anything else, Chen Chen hung up. He then rode his electric bike back to the industrial park.
When he returned to the Blacklight Biotechnology data center and entered through the main gate, Chen Chen saw cargo piled all over the floor. On top lay a passport and a Swiss business visa.
Chen Chen took out a pair of scissors, opened the packages, and carried the goods to the front of the power distribution room.
"X, it's me." Chen Chen called toward the door of the power distribution room.
"Click."
The heavy door of the power distribution room opened with a response...
Thanks to the three major bosses, Wu Di Wan Wan Nian, Wei Shen Me De Shuo, and Boundless Light Buddha, for the rewards~~
Before you continue