The SMART Symposium on Frontiers in Biomedical Science 2024, co-organized by the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL), was held successfully at SMART's Weiguang Campus. The event convened preeminent scholars and emerging researchers from the global biomedical science community to exchange insights on cutting-edge discoveries and explore future directions, fostering innovation and progress in biomedical research.
Opening Remarks by Professor Nieng Yan
The symposium opened with an inspiring keynote address by Professor Nieng Yan, President of the Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART) and Director of the Shenzhen Bay Laboratory (SZBL).
Keynote Address by Professor Thomas Südhof
Thomas Südhof, Nobel laureate and professor at Stanford University, presented a keynote address on “"Mechanisms of Adhesion-GPCR Signaling". He began by describing how Latrophilin G protein-coupled receptors regulate hippocampal synapse specificity through the simultaneous binding of FLRT and teneurin. He then explained how teneurin heteromers mediate the formation of presynaptic nanoclusters, promoting synaptogenesis. Finally, he elucidated how selective splicing of Latrophilin regulates synapse formation. His presentation provided deep insights into the mechanisms of adhesion-GPCR signaling.
In the field of metabolism and aging, Profess Meng Wang at HHMI Janelia Research Campus delivered a presentation entitled "Metabolic Signals in Longevity Regulation across Scales". She emphasized the key roles of metabolites—the thousands of molecules produced by metabolism—in structural building, energy provision, and signaling. Her findings uncovered new regulatory mechanisms of metabolites and provided a new perspective on the multi-level and cross-species regulation of lifespan by metabolic signals.
Dr. Yang Zhang, Junior Principal Investigator (PI) at SZBL, delivered a lecture on "Trans-bilayer Movement of Phospholipids across Cell Membrane in Health and Diseases". His research revealed the importance of phospholipid dynamics in cellular signaling and homeostasis. Notably, he identified TMEM16F, a calcium-activated phospholipid scramblase, as critical to red blood cell health and pathology, proposing new therapeutic approaches for related disorders.
In the field of cancer research, Dr. Justin L. Tan, Junior PI at SZBL, identified a novel RNA-dependent function of the transcription factor SOX2 in cancer, introducing a promising therapeutic target. Professor Nada Jabado of McGill University emphasized the significance of histone mutations in diseases, particularly high-grade gliomas, where oncogenic histones have paved the way for new cancer treatments. Dr. Lei Zhang, a Junior PI from SZBL, explored the influence of tumor microenvironment (TME) heterogeneity on cancer immunotherapy, providing guidance for developing innovative therapeutic strategies. Research from Professor Yibin Kang’s lab at Princeton University demonstrates that ALDH1a3 inhibits anti-tumor immunity and promotes tumor growth via the paracrine production of all-trans retinoic acid, and is also implicated in type 2 diabetes progression. They have identified a novel ALDH1a3 antagonist exhibiting potent anti-tumor immunotherapeutic activity and the ability to restore function in dysfunctional diabetic β-cells, offering new therapeutic strategies for both cancer and diabetes.
In the fields of Neurology and immunology, Professor Feng Shao from the National Institute of Biological Sciences (NIBS) in Beijing discovered the crucial role of Gasdermin D (GSDMD) in cellular pyroptosis through their researches. They revealed that the pyroptosis of a small number of tumor cells can eliminate the entire tumor and depends on the immune system. This breakthrough offers a potential new cancer treatment approach. Professor Yishi Jin from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), identified key genetic factors promoting axon regeneration in neurons by leveraging Caenorhabditis elegans models, providing valuable insights into neuronal repair mechanisms. Senior PI Zhoufeng Chen from SZBL investigated how neuropeptides in primary afferent neurons transmit specific sensory information through distinct microcircuits, revealing therapeutic opportunities for enhancing mental health.
In the fields of frontier technology and applications, Dr. Lei Li, Junior PI at SZBL, presented their current research, including the 3'aTWAS statistical model for identifying noncoding genetic variants, novel cancer susceptibility genes, and glioblastoma stem cell therapeutic targets. Junior PI Kai Huang from SZBL developed the "3D Forest" model to predict chromatin interactions at the single-cell level and introduced the "metazyme" model for exploring genomic interaction mechanisms. All those findings revealed the chromatin folding and liquid-liquid phase separation non-equilibrium principle, providing new ideas for research in relevant fields. Junior PI Zhuobin Liang, also from SZBL, unveiled the TRU-PE toolkit, which significantly enhances prime editing (PE) efficiency, facilitating the development of complex disease models and precision therapies.
In the fields of disease modeling and drug development, Professor Mu-ming Poo's lab at the Chinese Academy of Sciences used gene editing to create macaque models of human diseases, offering crucial resources for novel drug and therapeutic development. They have developed various macaque models of neurological disorders, including autism and circadian rhythm disorders, providing a key platform for pharmacological and neuromodulatory interventions. Professor Guoping Feng at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) employed diverse animal models to investigate the distinct synaptic and circuit mechanisms underlying repetitive behaviors and social interaction deficits, thus identifying circuit-specific targets for potential therapeutic interventions.
During the Q&A sessions, the atmosphere was lively and engaging, with participants demonstrating a high level of engagement as they delved into key topics and emerging technologies in their areas of expertise.
The SMART Symposium - Frontiers in Biomedical Science 2024 successfully showcased the latest research findings and innovative thinking in biomedical science, offering a key communication and collaboration platform for young researchers. The event integrated different thinking and inspirations, fostered cross-disciplinary collaboration and generated innovative solutions to critical human health challenges. By fostering such global exchanges among top researchers, SMART and SZBL are driving the rapid translation of research discoveries into practical applications, accelerating the impact of biomedical innovation on human health.
This year, SMART hosted nine prestigious academic conferences spotlighting breakthroughs in key areas of biomedical research, including the human microbiome, molecular physiology, tropical infectious diseases, lipidomics, intelligent biology and medicine, neuroscience, and targeted protein degradation. These events welcomed nearly 6,000 leading scientists and scholars from around the globe, including several Nobel laureates. The SMART Symposia has become a vital gateway for the global experts and scholars to understand Shenzhen's dynamic biomedical sector, promoting its sustained and healthy development and continuously contributing to innovative development of biomedicine worldwide.
The first SMART Symposium of Spring 2025 is set for March 3–5 at the Guangming Cloud Valley International Conference Center in Shenzhen. Jointly organized by SMART, SZBL, and Tsinghua University, this event will provide a platform for the exchange of cutting-edge research and insights in the field of immunobiology and immune-related diseases. The program will feature presentations and discussions on topics such as innovative research and applications in lymphocyte biology, the use of machine learning and artificial intelligence for immune cell analysis, and advancements in immunotherapy. Registration is now open. Scan the QR code below to secure your place and network with the world's leading experts!
As we step into 2025, SMART will host an enriched program of symposia and collaborative initiatives, providing further opportunities for engagement with the latest advancements in biomedical science. We welcome your participation in this ongoing endeavor to advance the field.
Scan the QR code to embark on your 2025 academic journey
