The UM-Tongji Frontiers Science Center Joint Symposium, organised by the University of Macau (UM) Faculty of Health Sciences (FHS) together with the Ministry of Education Frontiers Science Center for Precision Oncology (FSCPO) of UM and Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research of Tongji University, took place on 11 May 2024. This academic event attracted approximately 80 experts, researchers, students and healthcare professionals in the area of biomedical sciences to participate.
In his speech, UM Vice Rector (Research) Wei GE expressed that UM has made tremendous progresses in research development in the last decade, particularly in the strategic research directions of UM, including precision oncology. UM has reached a record high in the latest Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 that the subject “Clinical and Health” enters top 200. UM’s stem cell research has also made remarkable breakthroughs and advancements. The research team led by FHS Associate Dean (Research) Renhe XU has been granted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China as Macao’s first national key project related to stem cell research and organ repair. These signify the research excellence of UM in the area of clinical and health sciences.
Prof. Shaorong GAO, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of Frontier Science Center of Stem Cell Research, Tongji University said in his welcome speech that he along with the delegation felt honourable to be invited and partake in this academic event. He wishes, through this platform that allows vigorous discussions in addition to Joint Cancer Stem Cell Laboratory of University of Macau – Frontier Science Center for Stem Cell Research, Tongji University established in 2020, more cross-disciplinary collaboration of high calibre can be pro-actively fostered.
The joint symposium with its theme as “Cell Fate and Disease” featured 16 inspiring talks related to the latest research development, translation, and challenges in precision oncology and stem cell research, such as epigenetic regulation of early embryo development and somatic cell reprogramming, hematopoietic stem cell rejuvenation, stem cells for therapeutic application and cancer research, as well as strategies to identify and overcome cancer drug resistance. The talks were delivered by the leading scientists from the two frontiers science centres, including Prof. Shaorong GAO, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dean of School of Life Science and Technology, and Director of Frontier Science Center of Stem Cell Research of Tongji University; Prof. Rui YUE, Vice Dean of School of Life Science and Technology, and Vice Director of Frontier Science Center of Stem Cell Research of Tongji University; Prof. Zhiyong MAO, Director of Clinical and Translational Research Center of Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital affiliated to Tongji University; Prof. Chong LI, Executive Deputy Director of Frontier Science Center of Stem Cell Research of Tongji University; Prof. Chuxia DENG, Dean of FHS and Chief Scientist of FSCPO, as well as other scientists of FSCPO, they were Prof. Renhe XU, and Prof. Guokai CHEN.
This first-ever academic event at UM that brought two top tier national research centres together and united the leading experts in the fields of precision oncology and stem cell research to share their cutting-edge research discoveries. This academic event has certainly provided an excellent opportunity for promoting in-depth discussions and fostering cross-disciplinary, innovative research collaborations that is highly beneficial to the overall technological advancement in medical science for ultimately benefiting human mankind.
A group photo
Wei GE
Shaorong GAO