Rise of the Order Read Online Free PDF Page B

papers, finally extracting a binder with his research. Everything was computerized, saved to CD and DVD, stored in his secure lab and also off-site at a bank vault, but he also printed his data. Some might find his aversion to trusting technology like computers antithetic to his high-tech research, but he also knew the exact failure rates of microprocessors and the surges of the power grid in Sachsen-Anhalt that had fried far too many computers, even those supposedly protected by surge protectors and power back-up systems.
    Altenstein turned to midway in his binder, his eyes shifting from the pages to Conrad’s waiting glare. “As I told you before, we can target specific genes or other DNA factors with the nanoinhibitors.” He paused and tried to find the words that would not confuse Conrad. He knew that Conrad was a businessman, not a scientist. He had people in his company for that. He was a genius taking technological innovations and exploiting them for commercial use, though. Altenstein’s research would be no different.
    â€œPlease continue, Herr Professor.”
    â€œRight. So, we had mice with a bacterial infection, for instance, that we then injected with the inhibitors designed to attack bacteria.” Altenstein smiled broadly now, his eyes moving from the papers in the binder to Conrad. “The nanos wiped out the bacteria within twenty-four hours.”
    â€œMy God.”
    Altenstein felt almost like God at that moment. “Absolutely. We have replicated the studies with more than five of the most common bacteria. Same result.”
    â€œThis will make antibiotics obsolete,” Conrad said, his eyes sparkling with the possibilities. He was seeing Euro signs now.
    â€œThe other genetic factors you asked to study seem equally promising,” Altenstein said, flipping through more pages. He didn’t have to rely on paper; he knew exactly off the top of his mind the results of his work. “We tested for a genetic defect in several mice—those with a predisposition to hormonal obesity—and all mice injected with the nanoinhibitor programmed to eliminate this hormone did just that. All mice lost weight.”
    â€œMy God.” Conrad shook his head. “Will this work with any gene?”
    Altenstein hesitated, wondering why he would ask this question. “I would think so. With proper inhibitors.”
    Conrad was thinking hard now, his head moving up and down. “Could you reverse the problem?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œInstead of inhibiting a process. . .could you make the nanos react to a genetic factor?”
    â€œYou mean attack a certain genetic trait?” Altenstein shrugged. “It’s possible.” After he said it, he regretted having done so. A light went off in the professor’s brain. God indeed.
    â€œHow long before you could test for that?” Conrad said, his voice shifting from jazz to heavy metal.
    â€œI would have to get mice with a particular trait we wanted to eliminate,” Altenstein said. “That could take a while.”
    â€œLet’s not reinvent the wheel here, professor.” Conrad rubbed his chin. “What’s the most obvious genetic trait?”
    Altenstein didn’t want to answer. He couldn’t.
    â€œWhat about hair color?” Conrad said. “You have white mice. . .and black mice. I’ve seen them in your lab.”
    â€œYou want me to test mice with white or black fur?”
    â€œCan you do that?”
    Altenstein wanted to say no, but he was sure Conrad could ask a scientist on his staff who would tell him the truth. He probably already had, he guessed. With the entire mouse genome in the university database, fur color would be the easiest factor to test.
    â€œSure.” Altenstein said tentatively.
    â€œWonderful. Do that as soon as possible.”
    â€œBut your company could make a fortune from the antibiotic inhibitor alone, not to mention the