UM Hosts Global Symposium on Traditional Chinese Medicine Innovations

Overview of the Symposium

The University of Macau (UM) recently hosted the 4th International Symposium on Chinese Medicine and Natural Products, alongside the 4th International Symposium on Pharmaceutical Sciences. Both events were organized by the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) and the State Key Laboratory of Mechanism and Quality of Chinese Medicine (SKL-MQCM). This year’s theme, ‘Continuity, Convergence, Cocreation,’ centered on innovation and collaboration in the fields of Chinese medicine and natural product research.

Gathering of Experts

The symposium attracted an impressive crowd of over 300 participants, including scientists, researchers, industry leaders, educators, and students hailing from various regions, such as the Chinese mainland, Hong Kong, Macao SAR, and international locations including the US, UK, Germany, Singapore, and Japan. This diverse group engaged in meaningful discussions aimed at advancing global knowledge in their respective areas.

Keynote Highlights

During the opening ceremony, Ge Wei, the vice rector of UM, emphasized the university's dedication to fostering international cooperation in the realms of Chinese medicine and pharmaceutical sciences. He expressed his hope that such symposiums would serve as vital academic platforms, facilitating in-depth conversations on significant scientific topics related to these fields. Additionally, Ge underscored the importance of integrating basic research with clinical applications to enhance public health effectively.

Chen Xin, the director of ICMS and SKL-MQCM, highlighted a new initiative incorporated into this year's symposium: the inaugural Macao Forum on the Industrial Development of Chinese Medicine. This forum aimed to bridge the gap between academia and industry, promoting innovation while assisting in the industrial improvement of Chinese medicine, thereby contributing to Macao's economic diversification.

Engaging Presentations

The symposium featured a total of 35 insightful presentations by renowned scholars and experts. Among the keynote speakers was Yu Shishan, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He addressed the critical topic of medicinal substances sourced from endangered animals and shared advancements regarding their artificial substitutes. Another prominent speaker, Craig S. Anderson from Fudan University, presented findings from clinical trials relating to Chinese medicine.

Other notable contributors included David Rubinsztein from the University of Cambridge, Harald Wajant of the University Hospital of Würzburg, Jia Wei from the University of Hong Kong, Li Min from Hong Kong Baptist University, and Wang Xijun from Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine. The Macao Forum also welcomed industry leaders such as Zhang Ning, CSO of Yunnan Baiyao Group, who discussed prospects and challenges within the international Chinese medicine market.

Young Minds Showcased

A special highlight of the event was the Young Scientists Forum, which provided early-career researchers with an avenue to showcase their work through a poster session featuring over 60 research posters. Ten notable posters were selected for prestigious awards, including the Society for Leukocyte Biology (SLB) Trainee Award and the Chinese Medicine Young Scientist Award, underscoring the commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent in this dynamic field.