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Promicin <span class="SFPTagline"> From SCIFIPEDIA </span>  Promicin is a fictional neurotransmitter on the series The 4400. According to series mythology, the body of normal humans produces four neurotransmitters that relay signals between neurons and other cells. The 4400 produce a fifth neurotransmitter, promicin, which enables them to access areas of their brains inaccessible to regular people. These parts of the brain are responsible for the powers the 4400 develop, including telepathy, telekinesis and clairvoyance.
Promicin InhibitorEven after being released from quarantine, the 4,400 were charged with returning to NTAC for routine medical checkups. During these checkups they were dosed with a mysterious substance indicated on their charts as PI. When the 4,400 became severely ill, Agent Diana Skouris sought the help of Dr. Kevin Burkhoff who specialized in the study of dormant neural pathways. After reading classified NTAC files retrieved by Diana Skouris, Burkhoff realized that NTAC was responsible for the suffering of the 4,400 and a conspiracy to suppress their abilities was uncovered. The promicin inhibitor was designed to interfere with, and suppress the effects of promicin. The plot was masterminded by Dennis Ryland, head of NTAC. Dr. Burkhoff determined that a pure dose of promicin was needed to cure the disease. But procuring a sample was difficult as all 4,400 were on the inhibitor. Baby Isabelle Tyler proved to be an excellent source. Though she possessed 4,400 abilities she was not a 4,400 and had pure promicin. A sample was extracted from her and used to cure Shawn Farrell who in turn used his healing ability to cure the other 4400. Post-inhibitor DevelopmentsDr. Burkhoff began injecting himself with promicin in order to gain 4400 abilities of his own. Diana Skouris discovered his experiment and he convinced her to keep track of his progress. His health appeared to be in decline as he continued to use promicin but he eventually developed an ability and not long after regained his health completely. Once off the Promicin, the 4400 began to develop new abilities or strengthen their existing ones. As a result, they were viewed with even more fear and suspicion than before. Dennis Ryland was let off lightly despite the deaths he was responsible for, and he became an executive with Haspel Corp. Haspel developed a program that injected soldiers with promicin with the intention of developing an army with 4400 powers. Ryland was aided in his endeavor by Isabelle Tyler who produced vast amounts of promicin for his purpose. When Jordan Collier returned from the dead, he immediately made plans to attack Haspel. Using members of the NOVA Group, Collier successfully infiltrated Haspel and stole their entire store of promicin with the intention of donating it to any of his followers who wanted it. The risks of taking promicin are high. Approximately 50% of those who use it die as a result. Despite this issue, Collier distributed the serum knowing that there would be many willing to take the risk in hopes of developing an ability. Though many individuals died from taking promicin, Collier and his growing number of followers continued to produce and distribute promicin. The distribution and use of abilities gained from promicin, including those of existing 4400 was outlawed by the US government. Use of promicin resulted in a life sentence in prison and a lifetime on the inhibitor. Determined to decrease or stop the deaths of those who take promicin and die, Shawn Farrell, brought in Dr. Burkhoff to develop a test that would determine what innate features determined who would live or die from taking promicin. Burkhoff determined that left handed individuals were more likely to survive and a scan of the brain allowed him to tell more easily who would survive. Danny Farrell was one of those he determined would easily tolerate promicin. When Danny took the shot he developed an ability to produce promicin and transmit it virally. Everyone he came into contact with either developed an ability or was killed. Even after being quarantined, the virus continued to spread, converting and killing a vast portion of the population of Seattle before being contained with the use of a common supplement that protected non-positives from becoming promicin-positive. Among the dead were Shawn and Danny's parents. Those with new abilities included NTAC agents Marco Pacella, Jed Garrity and Seattle office head Megan Doyle.
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