On November 23-26, 2023, the fifth China Conference on Bio-Trace Elements was held in Shenzhen. The conference was hosted by the bio-trace Elements Branch of the Chinese Society of Biophysics, organized by Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and co-organized by Shenzhen University, Shenzhen Institute of Synthetic Biology and Shenzhen Academician Activity Base of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The event was attended by more than 100 experts and scholars from 25 renowned higher education and research institutions at home and abroad such as Tsinghua University, China University of Geosciences, Zhejiang University, Northeast Normal University, Nanjing University, Harbin Medical University, University of Hong Kong, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sun Yat-Sen University, Shenzhen University, Fudan University, Ji’nan University and Hefei University of Technology. The event has set up a number of topics, such as ferroptosis and disease, ferroheme and iron-sulfur, selenium biology, zinc and copper biology, iron metabolism and action molecules, iron physiology and diseases, and bio-trace elements and neurodegenerative diseases. The country’s top research teams on trace elements exchanged their views on the latest research progress.
At the opening ceremony, professor Zhou Bing, chair of the conference, delivered the opening speech. Ni Jiazuan, an academician from Shenzhen University, delivered a speech and expressed sincere hope and expectations for all scientific research workers. Liu Chenli, vice president of Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology and Xie Ning, deputy dean of the School of Life and Marine Science of Shenzhen University also delivered a welcoming speech.
Senior scholars in the field of bio-trace elements from all over the country were gathered at the event. A total of 48 renowned experts and young scholars shared their research progress in their respective fields in recent years, their thinking and outlook on the fields they were good at, which aroused extensive interest and thinking among the attendees. Heated discussions were launched in almost every session. Among the specially invited speakers to deliver a report, Yu Shuhong, an academician from the University of Science and Technology of China, explained the importance and future development of the science behind the shell - bionic material synthesis; Professor Wang Fudi from Zhejiang University comprehensively introduced the important links between iron metabolism, ferroptosis and related pathophysiology, and further put forward the concept of iron science; Professor Xie Junxia’s team from Qingdao University elaborated the correlation between iron homeostasis and the development of Parkinson's disease and the new direction affecting its autophagy regulation; Professor Sun Hongzhe from the University of Hong Kong explained the research methods of metalomics and its importance for the development of precision medicine; Professor Mao Zongwan from Sun Yat-sen University explained the theoretical basis of tumors treatment with metal elements; Professor Li Kuanyu from Nanjing University reported the important role of iron regulin2 in the anti-microbial immunity of macrophages; Professor Liang Yi from Wuhan University showed the reasons why different mutations in SOD1 resulted in similar amyloid fiber structure; Professor Chen Tianfeng from Ji’nan University introduced the application prospect of nano-selenium in clinical practice.
It is worth mentioning that many outstanding young scholars have emerged in this conference. While their research achievements and innovative ideas constantly supplement the original knowledge framework, they also show the prospect of the vigorous development of trace elements. As Professor Zhou Bing, chairman of the conference, said, the main purpose of the conference was to provide a platform for young people to showcase themselves. The conference also set up a special teaching session for young scholars delivered by Professor Xie Liwei with the Institute of Microbiology, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, who explained in detail the iron homeostasis and physiology of intestine, fat and muscle.
This conference attached special importance to providing current students with opportunities to showcase their talent and achievements. Outstanding students from various universities and research institutes had a wonderful competition in academic reports and posters. The organizing committee finally selected one first prize winner, two second prize winners and three third prize winners, and awarded the prizes to the winners. The conference enabled the students to have a harvest in aspects of bio-trace elements such as basic theory, microstructure, material synthesis, and instrument improvement, and encouraged and motivated their innovation in scientific research.
The successful convening of this conference provided a broad academic exchange platform for industry experts and scholars, showing the latest research progress and future direction in the field of bio-trace elements, and also injecting new vitality and impetus into the research in this field. We look forward to more similar conferences to be held in the future to provide a relaxing environment for learning and discussion, take academic exchanges as the center, focus on the cultivation of young and middle-aged scientists, so that researchers can be better inspired, and make greater contributions to the development of trace elements, biomedical research and human health in China.
Attendees of the event pose for a photo
