On July 16-17, 2024, the academic symposium "Biomedical Futures" jointly organized by Zhejiang University and the University of Edinburgh was successfully held in Edinburgh, UK. More than 100 students and faculty from the two top universities gathered together to share breakthroughs and new approaches to disease treatment in the field of biomedical science, and explore cutting-edge scientific issues such as biomaterials, bioinformatics, cell biology, immune signaling, infectious diseases, and cancer. Prof. Mike Shipston, Dean of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Edinburgh Medical School, Prof. Ke Yuehai, Vice Dean of Zhejiang University School of Medicine and Dean of ZJE, Prof. Susan Welburn, Executive Dean of ZJE, attended the opening ceremony and delivered opening speeches. Prof. David Argyle, Dean of the School of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, Prof. Wu Jian, Vice Dean of the International Campus Zhejiang University, Prof. Xu Haoxin, Dean of the School of Basic Medical Sciences of Zhejiang University, Prof. Hu Hailan, Dean of the School of Brain Science and Brain Medicine of Zhejiang University, Prof. Ouyang Hongwei, Executive Deputy Director of Liangzhu Laboratory, Prof. Wang Di, Vice Dean of the School of Medicine of Zhejiang University, Prof. Zhang Dan, Vice Dean of the School of Medicine of Zhejiang University and Executive Vice Dean of the Women’s Hospital School of Medicine Zhejiang
University, and others were invited to attend the meeting.
On July 16th, four sub-forums on Biomaterials and Bioinformatics, Cell Biology and Physiology, Immune Signalling, Infectious Diseases and Cancer, and the Role of Cell Signalling in Development and Repair were held at the Old Medical School and BioQuarter of the University of Edinburgh. The forums were chaired by Prof. David Hay, Dr. Matthew Brook, Dr. Nicola Roman ò, and Dr. Vasso Makrantoni, 34 scholars from both universities gave exciting academic presentations on Biomedical Futures, deeply exploring the future trends and cutting-edge breakthroughs in the field of biomedical science. Prof. Xu Haoxin from Zhejiang University delved into the proton release mechanism in lysosomes. Prof. Ouyang Hongwei focused on the cutting-edge field of musculoskeletal tissue regeneration and shared his latest research results in promoting tissue repair and functional recovery, while Prof. Dan Zhang elaborated on the important role of precision medicine in prenatal diagnosis and intervention with the theme of preventing birth defects.
On July 17th, the symposium was held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Prof. Hu Hailan, Ke Yuehai, Wang Di, Investigator Shi Peng, Qian Pengxu, and Liu Wanlu from Zhejiang University gave conference presentations on topics of the neural circuits for learning memory and behavior, biology of human disease and tissue repair, hormonal signaling in endocrine system health and disease, cell signaling in cancer and the immune system. Distinguished neuroscientists from the University of Edinburgh, Prof. Richard Morris, Prof. Hilary Critchley and Prof. Shareen Forbes, shared research advances on breakthrough discoveries in the mechanisms of memory in the human brain, endometrial biology and abnormal uterine bleeding, and pancreatic islet transplantation and diabetes treatment, respectively. The symposium was co-chaired by Prof. Ke Yuehai, Prof. Susan Welburn, and Prof. Mike Shipston.
The Hangzhou-Edinburgh Joint Symposium on Biomedical Sciences is a platform jointly established by Zhejiang University and the University of Edinburgh to explore and exchange cutting-edge biomedical academic knowledge. In 2011, the first symposium was held at the University of Edinburgh, and has been held alternately at the two universities since then.
Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute, as the chairman unit of the China UK Cooperation Alliance, not only builds a solid bridge for the deep scientific and educational integration between the two top universities, but also serves as a key hub for the promotion of innovative exchanges and cooperation between the two sides. The resumption of offline Hangzhou-Edinburgh Joint Symposium after the epidemic will greatly accelerate the deep cooperation between Zhejiang University and the University of Edinburgh in the field of biomedical science, jointly committed to breakthrough discoveries and innovative applications in the field of biomedical science, injecting original impetus into the future development of global healthcare.
Looking forward to 2025, this Joint Symposium, which gathers wisdom and innovation, will be opened in Zhejiang University, let us look forward to it together!
