Morning at seven, the atmosphere at the Institute was different from usual. Although Yang Ping had requested everything to proceed as normal, the team mbers knew the Nobel Committee was starting their official evaluation today, causing so level of tension.
"Relax." Yang Ping said in the morning eting, "What they want to see is genuine research, not a performance. If we change our work style because soone is watching us, that would be the real problem."
"But Professor," Chu Xiaoxiao said softly, "What if they ask so pointed questions? Like not enough practical application cases of the theory, or clinical verification still being in the early stages..."
"Just answer honestly." Yang Ping said calmly, "Science never needs to pretend to be perfect. We showcase progress but also acknowledge challenges; share success but do not shy away from failure. Such honesty is the greatest respect for science."
After the morning eting, everyone returned to their posts. Yang Ping took a special tour around various laboratories, seeing young researchers slightly restrained but gradually imrsing themselves in work, which was the most natural state.
At nine o’clock in the morning, the Nobel Committee evaluation team arrived. Leading was Professor Carlson, over seventy years old, with neatly silvered hair and a sharp yet gentle gaze. Accompanying him were immunologist Professor Li, molecular biologist Dr. Sara, and two Nobel Prize Foundation staff mbers.
"Professor Yang, it’s a pleasure to finally et." Professor Carlson’s handshake was strong, "I’ve read all your papers, especially the review on applying system thinking in dicine, quite impressive."
"Professor Carlson, welco." Yang Ping smiled, "Shall we start the tour directly? The projects we’re working on might explain things better than the papers."
"That’s precisely what we want." Carlson nodded.
The evaluation team first arrived at the dedicated eting Room for Lele’s case. The whiteboard was covered with complex system correlation diagrams and computational formulas, and the table was piled with thick test reports and research papers. A clinical nutritionist was reporting the latest tabolic analysis results to Yang Ping.
"Sorry, we’re discussing a case." Yang Ping said to the evaluation team, "This is a nine-year-old SAVI patient for whom we are designing a personalized system regulation plan, an attempt to extend our system theory from tumor treatnt to non-tumor diseases."
"Please continue, don’t mind us." Professor Carlson signaled the team mbers to sit in the back of the eting Room.
In the following half hour, the evaluation team witnessed genuine research discussion: the clinical nutritionist pointed out abnormalities in Lele’s vitamin levels, possibly related to drug interactions; the immunologist showcased the latest flow cytotry data, indicating regulatory T cell functional defects; the data analyst reported computational model results, suggesting the need for further drug dosage adjustnt.
The discussion was full of debate and questioning. When the data analyst proposed a parater might be overestimated, Yang Ping asked for recalculation; when the immunologist expressed doubt about the reliability of a certain detection thod, the team decided to add parallel experints.
"There is no authority here, only evidence." Professor Carlson whispered to Professor Li beside him, "Do you see? Everyone can question, including Professor Yang himself."
Professor Li nodded, "This is what science should look like."
When the discussion concluded, Professor Carlson asked, "Professor Yang, I noticed your plan is extrely complex. Why not try simpler thods? For example, directly using new STING inhibitors? So pharmaceutical companies are already developing these drugs. Please excuse my ignorance, I don’t understand, hence the question."
Yang Ping turned to the whiteboard and drew two diagrams, "Simple thods often only address superficial issues. STING inhibitors can indeed suppress overly activated pathways but cannot resolve fundantal regulation imbalances. Lele’s immune system is like a disturbed pendulum; we must not only stop it from resting at the wrong position but also repair its regulatory chanism so it can swing normally."
He pointed to the complex system diagrams, "Our plan seems complex because it respects the body’s complexity. Multiple low-dose interventions act synergistically, simulating the body’s natural regulatory network. This requires more computation and monitoring but may bring more fundantal, long-lasting improvents."
"What if it fails?" Dr. Sara asked, "Such a complex plan could result in complete failure if any link goes wrong."
"It could happen." Yang Ping admitted, "But if we choose a simple yet ineffective plan out of fear of failure, that would be the real failure. Of course, we will establish rigorous safety monitoring, with any abnormalities being promptly adjusted. dical advancents always seek a balance between risk and reward."
Professor Carlson nodded thoughtfully.
Next, the evaluation team visited Jiang Jitong’s laboratory. Chu Xiaoxiao was operating a mass spectroter, analyzing tabolic changes in mouse serum. Seeing a group of people co in, she visibly tensed and her hand trembled slightly.
"Relax, Dr. Chu." Yang Ping said gently, "Introduce the work you’re doing to Professor Carlson."
Chu Xiaoxiao took a deep breath and began explaining, "We are studying how intestinal tract microbio tabolites impact vaccine response. Previously discovered a rare strain, its produced special fatty acid interacts with vaccine enhancers, leading to excessive immune responses. We are now exploring whether this interaction can be utilized to safely enhance vaccine effects in scenarios requiring strong immune protection."
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