The 14th Annual CLSS-UK Conference Held in Oxford

13-14 September 2008

(Photo: Attendees of the 14th Meetings Chinese Life Scientists Society in the UK)

The 14^th Annual Conference of China Life Scientists Society was held in the Academic Centre of John Radcliff Hospital, Oxford, on September 13^th and 14^th. The theme of this year was ‘innovation’ and ‘collaboration’. The conference was aimed at promoting partnerships and facilitating idea exchange between China and the UK. It covers many aspects of international collaborations.

The conference received more than 150 abstracts, from nearly 40 research institutions in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. In total the conference hosted about 200 registered participants, including visiting groups from Beijing, Shanghai, and Suzhou, China. In addition, several biotechnology companies set up exhibitions at the venue.

The conference was opened by welcome speeches from the Chairman of organising committee, Dr XIA Zhidao and President of CLSS-UK, Dr XU Qihe respectively. Dr XIA used quotation from ancient Chinese prose Panming, to emphasis the imperatives of being innovative. Minister Counsellor from the Education Section of the Chinese Embassy, Mr TIAN Xiaogang also addressed to the conference, and emphasised on the vital contribution overseas Chinese researchers have made to China. He also thanked CLSS-UK in its support and help to China’s recent earthquake.

Five areas of innovative findings were mainly discussed in the conference: 1) Stem cells, cellular and molecular biology. 2) Regenerative medicine, clinical medicine, medical application and medical images. 3) Biomedical engineering and biomaterials. 4) Genetics, cancer research, pathology and immunology 5) Traditional medicine, zoology and plant science. Invited presentation were given by Professor XU Qingbo and Professor XU Qihe from Kings College London, Professor CUI Zhanfeng and Professor CHEN Zhengming from University of Oxford, Professor KE Youqiang from University of Liverpool, Professor CHEN Jinquan from University of Wolverhampton, and established entrepreneur Dr ZHAO Xiaobin,  Ms LIU Yuwen (CEO of Biobay, Suzhou), ZHANG Peizhuo (representative of overseas-returnees, CEO of Suzhou GenePharma) and Professor ZHANG Xiaokun from Burnham Institute of Medical Research, Professor ZHAO Min from University of California. Sessions were chaired by senior scientists such as Professor LU Xin from Oxford.

(Photo: Attending founding fellows of the Academy of China Life Scientists in the UK)

Through a highly selective procedure and various preparation works, the Academy of China Life Scientists in the UK (ACLS-UK) was officially founded on the conference. The Conference announced 23 scientists to be the Founding Fellows of, including the first Chinese Academician of Royal Society in the UK Professor YANG Ziheng. The first meeting of the Academy Committee was chaired by Professor DU Mingqing from University of Cambridge. The memberships of ACLS-UK are given only to those who have acquired professorship or have equivalent qualifications, and have made internationally recognised achievements.

The annual conference coincided with Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival. Apart from academic discussions, the host also invited all participants to enjoy superb performance by Oxford Chinese Chorus and Oxford college tour.

Sponsors to this year’s annual conference are Education and Science Section of the Chinese Embassy, Suzhou Biobay, Suzhou GenePharma, GSK, Cancer Research UK, Invitrogen, BD Biosciences, Peprotech, VWR, Promega and tebu-bio.

Chinese Life Scientists Society in UK (CLSS-UK) was founded in 1992 and from since then on it has been devoting itself to build a link for life and bio-medical scientists between in UK and in China. Now CLSS-UK is the only organisation in the United Kingdom that represents all the Chinese scientists in life science and bio-medical fields from mainland China and it also has become one of the most important professional organisations within the Chinese community. CLSS-UK has over 5,000 members, consisting of the best academics, scientists, clinicians, from all over the UK, as well as postdocs and students from the broad field of life science.

(Written by Honggang Zhou, Committee Member CLSS-UK; Translated by Yueyue Zhang, Committee Member CLSS-UK)