In the morning, Professor Chen gave everyone a map and brochure of the campus. Compared to the universities that Li Yun had been to, WIT was smaller, but the international reputation and prestige of the university were incomparable.
The professor led the group to a large boulevard next to the river that divided the campus from the downtown. As the weather was warming up, students were out and about on their morning jog. The diversity of the student body made the atmosphere less foreign.
The researchers from the top universities were more or less used to seeing foreigners. It was mainly the professors from the lesser-known universities who were culturally shocked as their university didn’t have a large population of international students.
Li Yun, dressed in casual clothing, blended in more with the campus than the researchers. Even as he took some of the plants and nibbled on them, he didn’t look out of place. The other researchers, however, all had their phones out and took pictures every step of the way. The students mostly ignored the tourists as it wasn’t an unusual sight. The group continued walking toward the campus quad that was lined with trees that bordered the lush budding green lawn. A neoclassical building with a large dome to the north boldly acted as the centerpiece of the square.
Professor Chen lead the researchers toward an institute, “As we head inside, I’ll explain to you the history of our institute.” He lead everyone into the building. “There are around twenty researchers here, all leading a laboratory based on their area of interest.”
Li Yun had briefly looked up bios of the researchers and their different fields of focus. The researchers were investigating studies such as regeneration of flatworms, genetic expression, and stem cells. Each and every research could lead to advancement in human health, and had the potential to win a Nobel prize.
“This right here is where all the magic happens,” Professor Chen enthusiastically exclaimed looking through a glazed window into a laboratory.
The name of the laboratory was designated for Professor Chen. He was studying plants used in traditional medicine to prevent protein misfolding, a cellular event, where protein failed to achieve its functional structure, causing Alzheimer’s, ALS, and Parkinson’s. The laboratory wasn’t as futuristic as the ones people like to imagine when people think of high-tech laboratories. There were fume hoods around the perimeter and open mechanical ducts. The stools and chairs were a mismatch of old furniture from other departments.
Inside the laboratory, the lab technicians worked to gather data. It was a cumbersome job, but unlike a few years ago, much of the data was automated. The lab assistants simply had to verify the results on their computer screens. The task was repetitive and tedious.
“Professor Chen, with new biotechnology, when do you think science will be able to cure ALS and Parkinson’s?” asked one of the Chinese researchers.
“There are a lot of interesting treatments out there, targeted gene therapy and deep brain stimulation,” Professor Chen explained. “But as a relatively new study, time isn’t on our side.”
Researchers spent years collecting and analyzing data, and in collaboration with a global network of researchers to gather and verify data. The process was time-consuming and cost millions of research.
“There have been many advances in genetic manipulation and exciting laboratory results, but reproducing beneficial results to the human body will need further investigation,” Professor Chen continued. “In my lab, we have identified many anticarcinogenic compounds, but to be able to perform it on all the cells in the body without causing harm to the rest of the body has been extremely difficult.” After Professor Chen explained his own work, he led them to the next laboratory down the hallway. “This laboratory belongs to Professor Mayland, who is researching inhibitors to restrict certain types of gene expression that cause various genetic diseases.”
Inside the laboratory, they saw a tall man with greyish blond hair. The man was in his fifties, but although he appeared personable, a lot of the assistants felt uncomfortable.
“What are you doing?” Professor Mayland asked his assistant in a chiding tone. “You’re missing an extra set of data.”
“But Professor, the data was incorrect,” replied the assistant.
“Then you should have marked it as such,” said Professor Mayland. "Documentations and details should not be missed!"
The error was relatively small, but Professor Mayland was able to pick it up immediately. His type of personality made it difficult for others to work under him, but his perfectionism made him perfect to lead the laboratory. That was, if his assistants didn’t quit first.
“Ahem,” Professor Chen cleared his throat to get Professor Mayland’s attention. “Professor Mayland, here are the researchers from China.”
Professor Mayland looked at them and warmly greeted them. Unlike how he dealt with his assistants, he was quite chatty and talkative to the researchers, asking them a lot of questions.
“He’s quite thorough and attentive,” Li Yun thought. This was the type of personality that was usually cultivated by someone from a traditional and well-off family. He wondered if his analysis from his cultural background was the same in the States.
Li Yun greeted him last as he was standing near the back.
“Wait, what is your name again?” asked Professor Mayland.
“Yun Li,” he repeated.
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“You published an article on the Yunli compound?” asked Mayland. He suddenly realized why the name was familiar.
Li Yun was surprised there were people who knew his name. The research article he had submitted to BMJ was released only last week. The web article provided the clinical trial data of Huifu and the pre-clinical data of Yunli.
“Professor Mayland have read my article?” Li Yun asked.
When Professor Mayland came across the article, Yunli was described as a new type of NSAID, but it didn’t interest him much. However, the results from Yunli were astonishing. Yunli was able to inhibit certain functions of the COX-2 enzymes rather than inhibiting them completely, allowing the enzyme to retain its function, hence reducing the side effects typically associated with NSAID.
NSAID were useful to suppress pain, but inhibiting COX-2 also disrupted the natural order of the human body. Somehow, Yunli had managed to suppress the pain while allowing the body to regulate itself.
“Why haven’t you created a guideline for treatment for other inflammatory diseases like Alzheimer’s?” asked Professor Mayland in a stern tone.
Li Yun wondered why it sounded like he was being scolded. “I was only focused on pain management,” Li Yun didn’t have the time to gather volunteers with specific diseases or illnesses during clinical trials. He could only find healthy people with chronic aches. Even if Yunli could treat other illnesses, it was due to its overall regulatory effect. It wasn’t meant to be a targeted treatment and the likelihood for recurrence was possible. It wasn’t a complete cure-all. “I believe Huifu has a better effect.”
“But there are too many variables and compounds. If you can create a single compound as potent as Huifu, do you know how many illnesses you can potentially cure?”
Li Yun wanted to, but one single compound to cure all forms of inflammation sounded like science fiction. Inflammatory illnesses ranged from diabetes, fatty liver disease, and many heart diseases. Many anti-inflammatory medicines only alleviated the symptoms, but not the root cause. There were too many root causes and each targeted different parts and tissues of the body.
Professor Chen and the rest of the researchers were lost during the exchange between Professor Mayland and Li Yun..
“There’s an BMJ about the new drugs I have developed,” Li Yun commented as he sensed their confusion. “It was only published this week.”
“Ah, I see,” Professor Chen figured it was likely the reason why Li Yun was invited, but it wasn’t surprising. In the science field, there were geniuses and prodigies everywhere, especially at WIT.
Some of the researchers pulled up on their phones the published information on the web. Just scanning through the data, they were impressed by the amount of data already released.
The varying amount of compounds in Huifu and known toxicity was enough to cause some criticism, but Yunli was generally praised for its unique chemical structure.
According to the article, Yunli was currently in phase II clinical trial with 500 applicants.
“It stated that you have used Huifu to treat thoracic aortic aneurysm?” asked Professor Mayland. “A higher dosage of Yunli can’t achieve the same effect?”
“Yunli is designed to be ineffective at a higher dosage,” Li Yun replied. “The body cannot absorb more than necessary. And even at a high dosage, it can only alleviate the symptoms. To effectively treat it, Huifu is recommended.”
“Why?”
There was a general distrust for TCM outside the eastern hemisphere. The process was acceptable in China as the ingredients used at the time adhered to TCM guidelines. As there were thousands of years of records, many formulas were approved following basic protocol. However, the same approval method wasn’t acceptable in the western hemisphere, not even for medieval remedies from European countries. “Huifu has a better regulating effect on the body and enhances the body's ability to restore itself,” said Li Yun.
“Have you thought about the potential of your medicine being used to prevent Alzheimer's?” asked Dr. Mayland.
Li Yun was surprised that Dr. Mayland had thought that far ahead and answered truthfully, “theoretically, it could be used to prevent Alzheimer’s and other age-related illnesses, but that will require further investigation to study its long-term potential.”
Alzheimer’s was a neuroinflammatory disease caused by beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles. In some studies, NSAID was observed to reduce the beta-amyloid in the brain. However, the increased risk of vascular and gastrointestinal events offset the potential benefit if NSAID could be used to prevent inflammatory disease.
The scientists in the room whispered excitedly about the finding, eventually leading into an open discussion.
“New drugs work on mice, but many of them do not work on people,” Professor Chen warned. That was the problem with many drugs that have positive early and pre-clinical data during animal testing. Unfortunately, once it entered phase III, many drugs failed to reproduce the desired outcome.
A believable treatment for Alzheimer’s was discovered in 2003, but had yet to be approved by the FDA, still in the phase II clinical trial. In contrast, it was rumored that a new drug will be approved in China.
“How many weeks are left in the clinical trial?” asked Dr. Mayland.
“Huifu has another 10 weeks to complete phase III and Yunli is scheduled for a 36-weeks phase III trial in the upcoming weeks,” said Li Yun.
“Did Baker Biolab contact you?” Professor Mayland wondered.
“No, why?”
“Their drug, a NGF inhibitor, has been shown to alleviate arthritis, however, even with a successful clinical three trial, the committee are considering voting against it,” said Professor Mayland.
Li Yun understood the nature of nerve growth factor inhibitors was already questionable. Although it can relieve pain, it also worsened the condition.
Professor Chen wondered if Dr. Mayland was interested in the study, or whether he wanted to study the formula. The researcher was always interested in the latest studies, but rarely had he shown any interest in a particular medicine.
Professor Chen's interest was in medicinal herbs, so Huifu did interest him a bit. The other researchers were also interested in Li Yun’s research.
“Dr. Li, are you interested in a collaborative research project with Blackhead Institute?” asked Professor Mayland.
“In what way?” Li Yun was interested in an international collaboration to understand genetics.
“Blackhead has access to funds and grants,” Professor Mayland explained. “If there is one thing we are short of, it’s time and people.”
Li Yun understood Professor Mayland’s proposal. He was agreeing to allow Li Yun additional resources in exchange for research data not available to the public. It was a tempting proposal. It opened up the potential for leaks, but the advantage outweigh the risks. Nothing could be kept a secret forever, so might as well use it to squeeze out any benefits.
In China, the vast majority of university funding came from revenues, but in the States, the funding came from donations and endowments. Alumni in the States understood that if their schools maintained prestige, it could inherently pass onto them. The ideology was becoming more apparent in top Chinese universities, but not to the extent seen in the States.
Professor Mayland connected the WIT administration to draft up a memorandum of understanding between the two parties. The process typically takes several weeks, but if Professor Mayland oversaw the process, they could complete the paperwork in two weeks.
“There’s also an invite-only forum for researchers all over the world to share knowledge,” said Professor Mayland after they exchanged the initial contact. “I’ll send you an email.”
People in the States didn’t use the same app, they agreed upon email as the main form of communication.