The research capabilities of the Death World had been purposefully fortified, providing a more solid technical support foundation for Osiris' next step in delving deeper into the mysteries of the Genesis Particle.
He wasted no time. After confirming the new apprentices could effectively handle basic monitoring and data analysis tasks, he shifted the research focus to a more complex and critical domain: attempting to use the Genesis Particle to actively guide and catalyze more complex, functionally specialized life forms.
Previous canyon experiments had proved that life catalyzed by the Genesis Particle possessed the potential for adaptation and evolution in extreme environments, but the process primarily relied on natural selection, which was slow and directionally uncertain.
Osiris' current goal was to perform precise, active intervention, attempting to bypass long natural evolutionary cycles and directly "catalyze" more complex life forms with specific functionalities.
He planned a new systematic sequence of experiments in the Eternal Quest's biology laboratory.
The experimental chambers were reconfigured, divided into several independent sections with high shielding capabilities to prevent cross-contamination from different experiments.
The first phase of research focused on the reinforcement and optimization of plant morphology.
Osiris selected three types of lichen and two types of ferns that had survived the canyon ecological experiments and exhibited excellent environmental adaptability as basic templates.
Unlike previous experiments that simply accelerated growth or observed natural evolution, this time he was committed to precise, targeted modification of the plants' physiological structures.
"Inject preset gene sequence 'Alpha-7'," Osiris instructed Bio-Unit-03, who was responsible for the precision operation.
His three mechanical tendrils simultaneously micro-adjusted the focus point and output intensity of the energy field. "Objective: reinforce the toughness of the xylem vessel structure, enhance cell wall thickness, and implant a preset photosynthetic enhancement circuit."
Precisely activated trace amounts of Genesis Particle, guided by a highly constrained energy field, acted like invisible nano-scalpels, injecting the compiled genetic instruction sequences into the plant samples that were in a phase of rapid growth.
The data streams on the monitoring screen instantly surged, and multiple physiological indicator curves fluctuated violently, clearly reflecting the intense changes occurring within the samples: rapid reorganization of chloroplast structure, thickening and reinforcement of cell wall composition, and reconstruction of the vascular bundle system were all happening simultaneously.
After a process of catalysis and stabilization lasting six hours and seventeen minutes, the results gradually became clear.
Approximately sixty-three percent of the samples disintegrated, their cellular tissue collapsing into basic organic matter, unable to withstand the violent reconstruction at the genetic level.
However, the remaining samples successfully passed the critical adaptation period and exhibited significant and stable morphological changes.
These successful mutants displayed striking new characteristics: their stem diameter increased by an average of forty percent, the density of xylem vessel arrangement increased approximately twofold, and a unique, metallic-textured reticulated vein pattern appeared on the surface of the leaves.
Preliminary photosynthetic efficiency tests showed their energy conversion rate consistently improved by seventeen percent, and their tolerance threshold to the intense radiation environment of the Death World surface was significantly enhanced.
Osiris particularly noted an unexpected mutation in one of the fern specimens: tiny, prism-like structures naturally formed on the underside of its leaves. Preliminary analysis indicated this structure could effectively dissipate excess absorbed radiation energy by converting it into heat.
This unplanned discovery piqued his interest and was immediately marked as a key observation and analysis target.
"Document the morphological characteristics and key physiological data of all successful mutants in detail," Osiris instructed the research team.
"Transplant the surviving samples to the high-radiation environment testing zone within the base, and continuously monitor their long-term stability and genetic continuity."
These directionally reinforced plant variants not only represented a crucial step towards constructing more complex and resilient plant life forms, but their genesis process and subsequent performance also accumulated valuable data supporting the understanding of the Genesis Particle's precise control in shaping macroscopic life structures.
Osiris specifically requested a complete gene sequencing of the fern mutant with the self-regulating thermal capability, attempting to decipher the underlying genetic basis of its unique adaptation mechanism.
After initially mastering the directional catalysis of multicellular plant structures, Osiris subsequently shifted his research focus to a more microscopic, yet potentially more fundamental, domain: the guidance and evolution of complex microbial systems.
He selected several microbes that had been catalyzed in the previous canyon experiment and already demonstrated excellent environmental adaptability as new genetic templates.
These microbes included chemoautotrophs capable of efficiently breaking down rock minerals for energy, and several types of archaea with unique structures and exceptional tolerance to strong radiation.
"Initiate Directed Evolution Protocol 'Beta Sequence'," Osiris instructed Bio-Unit-07, who was responsible for the microbial unit. "Core objective: enhance cell membrane stability under extreme osmotic pressure, optimize the efficiency of their internal energy metabolic pathways, and attempt to introduce basic quorum sensing and collaboration mechanisms."
The experiment immediately demonstrated the high sensitivity encountered when the Genesis Particle manipulated the relatively simple but biochemically complex genome of microorganisms.
In the initial cultivation units, microbial populations collapsed on a massive scale during the critical phase of genetic reorganization, their cellular structures generally disintegrating into formless biomass residue.
After five meticulous adjustments to the energy parameters and injection rhythm, Osiris found it necessary to increase the control precision of the guiding energy field to the nanometer level and precisely match the microbial life cycle rhythm to ensure the stable integration and expression of the exogenous gene sequences.
In the seventh systematic attempt, the microbial community in one specific cultivation unit finally exhibited stable characteristics of directed evolution.
Continuous monitoring data showed that these new microbes not only fully retained the exceptional environmental adaptability of their template ancestors but also developed preliminary complex collective behavior patterns.
They were able to coordinate some activities within the group by releasing and sensing specific chemical signaling molecules, and upon detecting nutrient scarcity, they could initiate coordinated dormancy programs, significantly increasing the group's survival chance.
Particularly noteworthy was an unexpected genetic mutation demonstrated by one of the sub-strains during the evolutionary process.
These microbes could continuously secrete a special compound polysaccharide-protein biofilm. Experiments confirmed that this biofilm could effectively attenuate or even block the harmful high-energy radiation generally present on the Death World's surface.
Osiris immediately isolated this variant, which possessed potential application value, cultivated it independently, and labeled it the "Gamma-7" strain, incorporating it into the priority research sequence.
"Record in detail the key enzymes and regulatory genes of the Gamma-7 strain's biofilm synthesis pathway," Osiris instructed the research team. "Focus the analysis on the dynamic correlation between its gene expression profile and the environmental radiation intensity factor."