The 2012 “Proteomics and Immune and Metabolic Diseases” Symposium Successfully Held

During October 16‑17, 2012, the Symposium on Proteomics in Immunological and Metabolic Diseases was successfully held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, in conjunction with Analytica China. The symposium was hosted by the Proteomics Division of the Chinese Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, and co‑organized by the Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, the State Key Laboratory of Proteomics, the Beijing Proteome Research Center (BPRC), and Messe München International. Academician He Fuchu, Honorary Director of the Proteomics Division, and Professor Yang Pengyuan, Director of the Division, served as the Honorary Chairs of the symposium, while Professor Zhang Pumin from Baylor College of Medicine and Associate Professor Su Bing from Yale University served as the Co‑Chairs.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Qin Jun, Vice Director of the Proteomics Division. Professor Xu Ping, Secretary‑General of the Division, delivered the opening address. Dr. Zhen Bei, Director of the Science and Technology Office of the Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences, and Mr. Luo Weiqiang, Managing Director of Messe München (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. Dr. Zhen Bei, on behalf of the co‑organizers and the leadership, welcomed all attending experts and delegates, and briefly reviewed the rapid development of proteomics and the series of important scientific achievements made in recent years, with strong support from the National Development and Reform Commission, the Ministry of Science and Technology, the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Health Department of the General Logistics Department of the PLA, and other agencies, as well as the guidance and assistance of various experts. She also expressed gratitude to Messe München International for its collaborative support. Mr. Luo Weiqiang, on behalf of Messe München (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., fully acknowledged the ongoing mutual support with the Beijing Proteome Research Center, emphasizing that this symposium marked the third successful collaboration between the two parties, and expressed confidence that such cooperation would continue.

Centered on the theme “Proteomics in Immunological and Metabolic Diseases,” the symposium facilitated extensive exchange and in‑depth discussion on the latest research advances in multiple areas, including novel pathways of central B‑cell tolerance in humans and mice, mouse models of metabolic diseases, and novel functions of mTOR complex 2 in G‑protein coupled receptor and insulin signaling pathways. Twelve distinguished domestic and international experts with notable achievements in the field of proteomics of immunological and metabolic diseases delivered outstanding presentations. These included: Professor Garnett Kelsoe and Professor Yuan Zhuang from Duke University Medical Center; Associate Professor Estela Jacinto from Rutgers University; Professor Feng Xinhua from Zhejiang University; Professor Liu Mingyao from East China Normal University; Professor Su Bing from Yale University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Professor Zheng Biao from Baylor College of Medicine; Professor Cheng Jinke from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Professor Yang Pengyuan and Professor Zhao Shimin from Fudan University; and Professor Qin Jun and Associate Professor Tang Li from the Beijing Proteome Research Center. Over 100 delegates from more than 20 research institutes, hospitals, and companies across China attended the symposium and engaged in in‑depth discussions with the speakers.

This symposium received generous support and funding from Agilent Technologies, and the promotion of the event was actively supported by Instrument.com.cn.

This symposium not only provided a valuable opportunity for exchange among experts in proteomics and immunological and metabolic disease research in China, but also established a solid platform for promoting information sharing and scientific collaboration within proteomics and its related interdisciplinary fields. It played a positive role in advancing the further development of proteomics in China and in strengthening the talent pool in this field.