The 7th China Proteomics Conference and the 3rd International Proteomics Forum Successfully Held

The 7th China Proteomics Conference and the 3rd International Proteomics Forum Successfully Held

From April 15 to 17, 2011, the 7th Chinese Proteomics Conference and the 3rd International Proteomics Forum were successfully held in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. The conference was jointly hosted by the Proteomics Division of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and the International Proteomics Forum, and co‑organized by the Beijing Proteome Research Center (BPRC), Zhejiang University, and other institutions. More than 800 delegates from 117 research institutes, hospitals, and companies both domestically and internationally participated in this grand event through plenary lectures, parallel sessions, poster presentations, and corporate exhibitions.

Academician He Fuchu, Chair of the conference, delivered the opening address on behalf of the Proteomics Division, the organizing committee, and the academic committee. He reviewed the development of proteomics in China over the past decade and offered a vision for its future. Professor B. B. Ping from the University of California, Los Angeles, delivered a speech on behalf of the International Proteomics Forum, expressing that the Forum, as an international professional organization in proteomics, would continue to support the advancement of proteomics in China and work together with Chinese proteomics experts to enhance the level of proteomics research in the country. Distinguished guests attending the opening ceremony and delivering important speeches included: Academician Chen Zhu, Minister of Health of the People’s Republic of China; Academician Yang Wei, President of Zhejiang University; Liao Xiaohan, Deputy Director of the Basic Research Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology; An Daochang, Deputy Director of the China National Center for Biotechnology Development; and Yang Jing, Director of the Zhejiang Provincial Department of Health.

Twenty‑one renowned domestic and international experts delivered outstanding plenary lectures, including: Professor John Yates of the Scripps Research Institute; Professor Catherine Costello, President of the Human Proteome Organization (HUPO); Professor Gilbert Omenn, member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Chief Science Advisor to President Obama; Professor Mathias Uhlen, member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences; Professor Daniel Chan of Johns Hopkins University; Professor Amos Bairoch, founder of SwissProt and researcher at the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics; Professor Mark Baker of Macquarie University; Academician Chen Zhu, Minister of Health; Academician Zheng Shusen of Zhejiang University; Academician Rao Zihe of Tsinghua University; and Academician He Fuchu of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences. In addition, 94 scholars presented in 15 parallel sessions covering a wide range of cutting‑edge topics and hot issues, including proteomics and translational medicine, functional proteomics, disease proteomics, protein post‑translational modifications, protein quantification, model organism proteomics, protein chemistry and drug discovery, and other frontier technologies. The conference also received a total of 245 submitted abstracts, of which 130 were presented and exchanged as posters. Thirty‑three biomedical companies from China and abroad took the opportunity to showcase their latest instruments, equipment, and technologies in proteomics‑related fields.

In response to the need for training in classical and emerging technologies in proteomics, a proteomics technology training workshop was organized concurrently. Fourteen experts, including Wei Kaihua, Xu Ping, and Li Dong, delivered lectures to over 80 participants from more than 40 research institutions across the country, covering major technologies in their respective fields, along with the latest ideas and applications.

A series of important meetings were also held during the conference, including the International Advisory Meeting for the China Human Proteome Project (CNHPP) and the National Protein Science Infrastructure Beijing Base (PHOENIX). Over 40 domestic and international experts from the United States, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Sweden, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and other countries attended the advisory meeting. The meeting was chaired by Academician He Fuchu. Professor Qin Jun and Professor Qian Xiaohong of the Beijing Proteome Research Center presented the construction plan for PHOENIX and the implementation proposal for CNHPP, respectively. The attending experts carefully listened to the presentations, gave full recognition and high praise to PHOENIX and CNHPP, and engaged in lively discussions on technical approaches and implementation strategies, offering many valuable suggestions. Director Jin Xiaoming of the Department of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Science and Technology attended the meeting and delivered an important speech. He expressed gratitude for the concern and assistance that domestic and international experts have given to China’s scientific and technological development, and noted that at this critical moment when the international Human Proteome Project has entered its full implementation phase, the proposal of CNHPP is highly timely. He affirmed that the Department of International Cooperation would provide full support for the implementation of CNHPP and the international Human Proteome Project, jointly advancing the comprehensive development of proteomics worldwide, including in China. Director Jin also emphasized that China would not only promote the development of proteomics domestically but also play a greater role in the international Human Proteome Project. Concurrently, the 1st Sino‑European Workshop on Functional Glycoproteomics was held, and Director Jin Xiaoming of the Department of International Cooperation gave full recognition and high praise to the form of Sino‑European collaborative projects. Experts from both sides engaged in lively discussions on glycoproteomics‑related issues and future in‑depth collaboration. The workshop was chaired by Professor Xu Ping.

During the conference, the third meeting of the second term and the first meeting of the third term of the Proteomics Division of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology were convened. Senior Engineer Wang Tongxi, full‑time Deputy Secretary‑General of the Society, attended the meeting. Secretary‑General Qian Xiaohong presented the work summary report of the second term. Subsequently, in accordance with the Society’s constitution, the Proteomics Division held elections, and the proposal for Professor Yang Pengyuan to serve as the Chair of the third term was unanimously approved. The first meeting of the third term was then convened, and discussions were held on constitutional amendments, the Society’s development plan, and the work program for the next two years. It was decided that the 8th Chinese Proteomics Conference would be held in Chongqing in 2013.

At the closing ceremony, Professor Xie Peng, Vice President of Chongqing Medical University, presented the preliminary plans for the 8th Chinese Proteomics Conference.

To encourage young scientists engaged in proteomics research, a grand award ceremony was held. Six young scholars received the Outstanding Young Scholar Presentation Award, and ten received the Outstanding Poster Award.

The conference received support and sponsorship from 33 renowned domestic and international companies, including Agilent, AB, Thermo Fisher Scientific, and GE. Six media outlets, including Bioon, Instrument, Antpedia, DXY, the Chinese Journal of Health Laboratory Technology, and Chromatography, provided active coverage of the conference.

This conference represented the highest level of leadership attendance, the strongest assembly of academic groups, and the largest number of participants in the history of proteomics conferences in China to date. It provided an excellent opportunity for domestic and international experts and scholars in the field of proteomics to exchange ideas and foster collaboration, while also serving as a fertile ground for the training and development of young academic leaders. It will undoubtedly serve as a powerful impetus for the advancement of proteomics and its related fields in China.

Secretariat of the 7th Chinese Proteomics Conference
and the 3rd International Proteomics Forum
May 5, 2011