Chapter 408: Biological Induction Experiment
The research power on the Death World had been specifically strengthened, providing a more solid technical support foundation for Ryo's next steps in exploring the mysteries of the Genesis particles more deeply.
He did not waste time. After confirming that the new apprentices could effectively handle basic monitoring and data analysis tasks, he shifted his research focus to a more complex and critical field—attempting to use Genesis particles to actively guide and catalyze more complex and functionally specialized life forms.
Previous canyon experiments had already proven that life catalyzed by Genesis particles possessed the potential to adapt and evolve in extreme environments. However, this process mainly relied on natural selection, which was not only slow but also uncertain in its direction.
Ryo's current goal was to conduct precise active intervention, attempting to bypass the long natural evolution cycle and directly "catalyze" life forms with more complex structures and specific functions.
He planned a new systematic experimental sequence within the biological laboratory of the Eternal Seeker of Knowledge.
The experimental cabins were reconfigured and divided into several independent sections with highly shielded functions to isolate potential cross-contamination between different experiments.
The first phase of research focused on the strengthening and optimization of plant morphology.
Ryo selected three types of lichens and two types of ferns that had survived the canyon ecological experiment and demonstrated outstanding environmental adaptability as basic templates.
Unlike previous experiments that simply accelerated growth or observed natural evolution, this time he devoted himself to precisely and directionally modifying the physiological structures of the plants.
"Inject the preset genetic sequence 'Alpha-7'." Ryo issued a command to Bio-Unit-03, who was responsible for precise operations.
The three mechadendrites behind his back simultaneously fine-tuned the focal point and output intensity of the energy field: "Objective: Strengthen the structural toughness of the xylem vessels, increase cell wall thickness, and implant a preset photosynthesis-enhancing circuit."
The precisely activated trace amounts of Genesis particles, guided by the highly constrained energy field, acted like invisible nano-scalpels, injecting the compiled genetic instruction sequence into the interior of the plant samples that were in a rapid growth phase.
The data streams on the monitoring screen surged instantly. Multiple physiological indicator curves fluctuated violently, clearly reflecting the drastic changes occurring inside the samples: key processes such as the rapid reorganization of chloroplast structures, the thickening and strengthening of cell wall components, and the reconstruction of the vascular system were proceeding simultaneously.
After six hours and seventeen minutes of catalysis and stabilization, the results gradually became clear.
Approximately sixty-three percent of the samples collapsed due to their inability to withstand the drastic reconstruction at the genetic level, their cellular tissues disintegrating into basic organic matter.
But the remaining samples successfully passed the most critical adaptation period and presented significant and stable morphological changes.
These successful mutants displayed remarkable new traits: their average stem diameter increased by forty percent, the arrangement density of their xylem vessels roughly doubled, and unique, metallic-looking reticulated veins emerged on the surface of their leaves.
Preliminary photosynthesis efficiency test data showed that their energy conversion rate stably increased by seventeen percent, and their tolerance threshold to the highly radioactive environment on the surface of the Death World was also significantly improved.
Ryo particularly noticed an unexpected mutation in one of the ferns: micro-prism-like structures naturally formed on the back of its leaves. Preliminary analysis indicated that these structures could effectively dissipate absorbed excess radiation energy by converting it into heat.
This unplanned discovery piqued his interest and was immediately marked as a key subject for observation and analysis.
"Detail all morphological characteristics and key physiological data of the successful mutants," Ryo instructed the research team. "Transplant the surviving samples to the high-radiation environmental test zone within the base, and continuously monitor their long-term stability and genetic continuity."
These directionally enhanced plant variants not only represented a crucial step towards building more complex and resilient plant life forms, but their creation process and subsequent performance also accumulated valuable data support for understanding the fine control of Genesis particles in shaping macroscopic life structures.
Ryo specifically requested complete gene sequencing for the fern mutant with self-thermal management capabilities, attempting to decipher the genetic basis behind its unique adaptation mechanism.
After preliminarily mastering the directional catalysis of multicellular plant structures, Ryo immediately shifted the research focus to a more microscopic but potentially more fundamental field—the guidance and evolution of complex microbial systems.
He selected several microorganisms previously catalyzed in the canyon experiment that had already demonstrated excellent environmental adaptability as new genetic templates.
These microorganisms included chemoautotrophs capable of efficiently breaking down rock minerals to obtain energy, as well as several types of archaea with peculiar structures and outstanding tolerance to intense radiation.
"Initiate directional evolution protocol 'Beta Sequence'," Ryo commanded Bio-Unit-07, who was in charge of the microbial unit. "Core objective: 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 collaborative mechanisms."
The experimental process immediately revealed the high sensitivity faced when using Genesis particles to manipulate microbial genomes, which have relatively simple structures but extremely complex biochemical networks.
In the first few culture units, the microbial populations successively experienced large-scale collapses during the critical stage of genetic recombination, with cellular structures generally disintegrating into amorphous biomass residue.
After five meticulous adjustments to the energy parameters and injection rhythm, Ryo discovered that the control precision of the guiding energy field had to be elevated to the nanometer level and precisely matched with the microbial life cycle rhythm to ensure the stable integration and expression of the exogenous genetic sequences.
On the seventh systematic attempt, the microbial community within a specific culture unit finally exhibited stable directional evolutionary characteristics.
Continuous monitoring data showed that these new microorganisms not only fully retained the outstanding environmental adaptability of their template ancestors but also developed preliminary complex group behavioral patterns.
They were able to coordinate some activities within the population by releasing and sensing specific chemical signaling molecules, and upon detecting a nutrient-poor environment, they could initiate a coordinated dormancy program, drastically increasing the population's chances of survival.
Particularly noteworthy was that one subspecies exhibited an unexpected genetic mutation during the evolutionary process.
These microorganisms could continuously secrete a special complex polysaccharide-protein biofilm. Experiments confirmed that this biofilm could effectively attenuate and even block the harmful high-energy radiation ubiquitous on the surface of the Death World.
Ryo immediately isolated this mutant with potential application value, cultivated it independently, and designated it as the "Gamma-7" strain, incorporating it into the priority research sequence.
"Record in detail the key enzymes and regulatory genes of the biofilm synthesis pathway of the Gamma-7 strain," Ryo instructed the research team. "Focus on analyzing the dynamic correlation between its gene expression profile and environmental radiation intensity factors."
(End of Chapter)