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A known disease molecule, called the target,
一种已知的疾病分子 我们称为靶分子
is introduced to each of the two million compounds, one by one,
逐一加入到这两百万化合物中
to see if anything happens.
去观察是否有反应
With the two million or so compounds,
在这两百万的化合物中
we might get a few
我们可能会发现
compounds that are active against that target.
一些化合物对靶分子有效
We then have to take that one or two hits
然后我们得抓住这一个或两个的机会
and the chemists will make hundreds, maybe thousands, of samples
化学家根据它们的母核结构
related to that original
合成出成千上万的类似物
structure to try and improve the activity
以期提高其活性
and most importantly try
最重要的是
to negate any safety or undesirable effects.
消除一切危险的和预期外的功效
We have to screen those over and over
我们必须一遍一遍地筛选
again to make sure that we're going in the right direction.
确保我们的方向正确
After hundreds of millions of tests,
在数以万计的测试后
just a handful will make it through to trials on people.
只有少量的药品会进行人体测试
In all, it takes about 1 billion and 15 years' work
总的来说 需要10亿的投入和15年的工作
to find the winning compound that can become a licensed drug.
才能找到一种可以获批投产的化合物
The journey to a medicine is an epic journey.
寻找药物的旅程是宏大的
That whole process from idea through to a drug approved
从想法的形成到药品审批通过的整个过程
is one littered with failure.
失败一直如影随形

重点解释

we might get a few compounds that are active against that target.我们可能会发现一些化合物对靶分子有效

a few 有些； 几个.

A few jokes will add a final fillip to your speech.

几句笑话会给你的演说添些生气。

John vamped up a few rumors to discredit his enemy.

约翰编造一些谣言去中伤他的敌人。

the chemists will make hundreds, maybe thousands, of samples related to that original化学家根据它们的母核结构合成出成千上万的类似物
relate to有关； 涉及

Some adults can't relate to children.

有些成年人不理解儿童的想法。

Children need to learn to relate to other children.

孩子们应该学会与其他孩子友好相处。

We have to screen those over and over again to make sure that we're going in the right direction.我们必须一遍一遍地筛选确保我们的方向正确

make sure弄明白； 设法确保

I'm going to make sure if I'm going to Macao.

我要拿定主意我是否去澳门。

I'll make sure of the time of the flight.

我要核实一下这班飞机的时间。