On May 18th, the Laboratory Animal Science Summit, hosted by Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences (CALAS) and organized by Guangdong Association for Laboratory Animal Science (GDALAS), was successfully held at Guangzhou Baiyun International Convention Center. More than 350 participants, including representatives from laboratory animal management departments, experts, scholars, scientific researchers, and industry representatives from 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across the country, attended the summit. Concurrently, the “CALAS Science and Technology Award Ceremony” was held, along with “the 8th CALAS Member Representative Assembly and the 1st Meeting of the 8th Council”.
The opening ceremony of the summit was chaired by Zhu Caiyi, Secretary-General of GDALAS and Director of Guangdong Laboratory Animal Monitoring Institute. Professor Qin Chuan, CALAS President, and Academician Guan Yi, GDALAS President, delivered speeches on behalf of the host and the organizer respectively, while the leader from the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province extended a warm welcome.
Ms. Qin Chuan, CALAS President
Mr. Guan Yi, GDALAS President
Mr. Gong Jianwen from the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province
Attendees of the summit included academician Jiang Jiandong, Director of the Institute of Materia Medica of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences; researcher Lu Jinxing, Chief Scientist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention; researcher Sun Yansong from the Institute of Microbial Epidemiology of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences; Professor Chen Xuejin from Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen); Secretary-General Zhao Hongxu from Chinese Association for Laboratory Animal Sciences; as well as Professor Cai Weibin, Executive Vice President of Guangdong Association for Laboratory Animal Science, as well as Vice Presidents Chen Rui'ai, Niu Haitao, Tang Xiaojiang, and Zhang Jing.
Mr. Jiang Jiandong, Director of the Institute of Materia Medica of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences
The "2022 CALAS Science and Technology Award Ceremony" was held during the opening ceremony. There were 1 first prize, 3 second prizes, and 3 third prizes awarded for scientific and technological achievements in 2022, along with 4 young scientist awards.
The summit invited five renowned experts in the field of life sciences to give keynote academic presentations, sharing their research achievements and exploring scientific frontiers, exchanging research experiences, and discussing innovations and developments in laboratory animal science for human health.
Professor Zhang Chen, Vice President of Capital Medical University, gave a keynote presentation titled "Microbiota-derived lysophosphatidylcholine alleviates Alzheimer's disease pathology and suppresses ferroptosis via orphan receptor GPR119".
Professor Qian Jun from Sun Yat-sen University shared a report on "Biosafety and collaborative innovation of industry, academia, and research".
Professor Sun Qiang from the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligent Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences presented on "Evolution-based animal welfare perspectives".
Researcher Zhao Jianguo from the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences brought a report on "From genetics to epigenetics - the creation and inspiration of large animal models".
Professor Zhang Yongqing from Hubei University presented a report on "Using dogs as models to aid in brain science and research on brain diseases".
The summit covered several hot topics in the field of laboratory animals, attracting strong interest from experts, scholars, and scientific researchers. In-depth discussions and exchanges were conducted on topics such as biosafety, establishment and application of large animal models in laboratory animal experiments, ethics and norms of animal experimentation, and animal welfare.
An exhibition of laboratory animal equipment and related products was held during the summit, with 22 companies showcasing their products, technologies, and services. They engaged in on-site negotiations with relevant companies and personnel, providing attendees with the latest information on advanced equipment and technologies, facilitating intentions for product orders and service cooperation.
The summit provided a platform for communication and learning, facilitating discussions on cutting-edge technologies and directions in laboratory animal science. It promoted the coordinated development of various aspects such as the construction of laboratory animal disciplines, technological innovation, research services, and industry integration, thereby driving the vigorous development of laboratory animal science in the new era.
