Chapter 444

Through data comparison, Henry found that his genes are very different from those of ordinary people. Although everyone's genes vary greatly, Henry's pair of XY sex chromosomes, especially the Y chromosome, is longer than that of ordinary people. In other words, Henry's Y chromosome has more genes than the average person!!!

This is so abnormal!

"Mr. Williams, when we first met, we were also very shocked and puzzled!"

The speaker is Professor Thomson, aged 60-70, who specializes in gene sequencing. "After careful study, we found that there are 10 more genes on your Y chromosome than ordinary people. Of course, there may be genes we haven't found. You know, the Y chromosome is the most complex of all chromosomes, and it has too many duplicate genes to be easily detected! "

Henry nodded, because the Y chromosome is indeed the most difficult to detect, and the previous life was only successfully detected in 2010. Because there are too many repetitive genes or useless genes in Y chromosome, and they constitute a very complex palindrome structure. It takes a long time for people to study and find out this palindrome structure.

Palindrome structure refers to the sequence with the same structure and opposite direction in double stranded DNA. For example, one is "ABCDE", the other is "edcba". Although it seems simple, but in the complex Y chromosome, it is not easy to find the rule. The Y chromosome is so complex that it's like a mirror. Researchers stand in the middle of countless mirrors to find out the type and number of genes. The workload is amazing. Gene umbrella company has spent a lot of manpower and material resources to complete the general examination of Y chromosome.

"Mr. Williams, the reason why your brain mutates is probably related to a new gene in the Y chromosome! In addition, we found a strange phenomenon When Professor Thomson said this, he suddenly stopped and seemed to be thinking.

After a while, he said, "Mr. Williams, do you remember when you fainted because of a brain mutation?"

Henry nodded and said, "yes."

"Well... It was Dr. Rothman who tested you and found that your cerebral cortex secreted a mysterious substance T, which strongly promoted the active growth of brain cells. One conclusion reached at that time was that the rapid growth of brain cells might lead to the short life span of brain cells! "

"Yes Henry nodded and asked, "what's the matter, Professor Thomson? Do you have something new?"

"That's right!" Professor Thomson nodded, "through several years of tracking and testing, we found that your brain cells did not show signs of aging, but more and more vitality, with lush and powerful vitality! So, I guess there may be other reasons why your brain cells are so powerful! As for this reason, it must have something to do with your genes! "

When Henry heard this, he was very happy. Before, he always felt that there was a stone pressing on him, but now he finally put it down.

However, it wasn't long for Henry to be happy.

Professor Thomson poured a pot of cold water down, he said: "Mr. Williams, because your XY chromosome is different from ordinary people, I'm afraid you will have great difficulties in fertility!"

"How do you say that?" Henry frowned.

"According to our research, Y chromosome and X chromosome are not a perfect match. On the contrary, they are more like a pair of enemies who do not give up each other!"

Professor Thomson said slowly, "the X chromosome has 1438 genes, while the Y chromosome has only 45 genes. Three hundred million years ago, the primitive ancestors of sex chromosomes X and y were no different from ordinary chromosomes. In the process of inheritance, DNA replication, chromosome association and homologous gene recombination and exchange were carried out normally. But one day, the Y chromosome suddenly mutated, and a gene called Sox3 on one of the primordial sex chromosomes mutated into a gene called SRY. According to our research, SRY gene should be the key gene of male sex! From then on, gender differences began to form

"In order to further strengthen their respective genders, X and Y chromosomes evolved more genes conducive to gender highlighting, and eventually formed a genetic base for maintaining gender characteristics. The gene members in such a base camp are not friendly to each other's members at all. Genes on the Y chromosome that are good for males are often bad for females; On the contrary, the favorable genes on the X chromosome always try to destroy the characteristics of the male. Therefore, when the two are combined, they will attack each other. But in the course of years of confrontation and evolution, Y chromosome and X chromosome have reached a tacit cooperation, so that they can continue to breed. Now Mr. Williams, your problem is that your Y chromosome has 10 more genes than the Y chromosome of ordinary people. This kind of difference makes it difficult to ensure that the X chromosome of the woman will be combined with your Y chromosome! At the same time, a lot of changes have taken place in your body's X chromosome, and the problem is not small... "

Henry frowned. It was true that, as Professor Thomson said, there was a big problem with fertility.

"Don't worry too much, Mr. Williams. I believe we will come up with a solution one day Professor Thomson comforted, "besides, there is a certain probability that your XY chromosome will be combined with Mrs. Williams' X chromosome, which is just a little less than that of ordinary people..."

"Thank you for your comfort, Professor Thomson. We will not talk about this issue for the time being. I believe that as long as biotechnology is improved, there is no problem that cannot be solved. " After Henry finished, he paused and asked in a deep voice, "Professor Thomson, how is the next generation of gene sequencing technology going?"

"The progress is very fast. It will be finished in a month or two!" Professor Thomson replied.

"Well!" Henry nodded with satisfaction.

The traditional way of gene detection is to use optical sequencing technology. Four different genes were labeled with different colors of fluorescence, and then the laser light source was used to capture the fluorescence signal, so as to obtain the sequence information of the tested genes. This method is reliable, but expensive. The price of a sequencing instrument ranges from 500000 to 750000 US dollars, and the cost of a single test is as high as 5000 to 10000 US dollars. Thanks to the fact that gene umbrella company has a lot of money, it can also produce and reduce the cost, which leads to the production of a large number of instruments for gene sequencing. And all the institutions or companies that carry out gene sequencing research in the world use less instruments than gene umbrella.

The latest way of gene detection is to use chip instead of traditional laser lens, fluorescent dye, etc. chip is sequencer. Through semiconductor sensors, the instrument can directly detect the ion current generated during DNA replication. When the reagent enters into the chip through an integrated fluid path, the reaction pores densely distributed on the chip immediately become millions of micro reaction systems.

This combination of technologies enables researchers to obtain genetic information in just two hours. Using traditional optical sequencing technology, it takes weeks or even months to get the results. At the same time, the cost of a test has been reduced to as low as $1000.

Henry thought about it and said, "now that a new generation of gene sequencing technology is about to be developed, it's time for a new generation! Professor Thomson, let's get rid of our instruments as soon as possible

"All right!" Professor Thomson nodded.

"Next, we will sequence all the genes of the mutants in the gene umbrella x experiment, and I will get their powerful mutant genes!" There was a flash of light in Henry's eyes

"Yes, I'll do it right away!"