Researchers from Fudan University were commended by the Shanghai Municipality for achievements made in science and technology in 2019.
On May 19, the 2019 Shanghai Science and Technology Awards Ceremony was held at Shanghai Exhibition Center to award teams and individuals who have in recent years made remarkable scientific and technological contributions. 20 awards were granted to Fudan scholars, including one grand prize, 2 first prizes, 4 second prizes and 1 third prize for technological progress, 3 first prizes and 4 second prizes for natural sciences, 1 first prize for technological invention, 1 first prize and 1 third prize for technological popularization, and 2 Outstanding Contribution to Science and Technology by Young Scholars awards.
List of winning projects completed by researchers from Fudan University
Congratulations to these winning teams and individuals. Wonder in what ways can their projects contribute to people’s wellbeing and the broader society? Let’s take a look at some of the winning projects.
The Grand Prize for Technological Progress
Brain plasticity and restoration of upper extremity function
Spastic limb paralysis due to injury to a cerebral hemisphere can cause long-term disability and is hard to be cured.
Prof. Xu Wendong explains the surgery to the parents whose child suffers cerebral palsy.
Prof. Xu Wendong from the Department of Hand Surgery at Huashan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University has found that by grafting the contralateral C7 nerve from the nonparalyzed side to the paralyzed side in patients with spastic arm paralysis due to chronic cerebral injury, the function of the paralyzed arm can be recovered.
This discovery has overturned the traditional belief that the limbs are controlled by the cerebral hemisphere contralateral to the limbs and that the adult brain is unchangeable, strengthening China’s leading position in limb function restoration and related microsurgical techniques.
Since 2012, only 10 grand prizes in the Technological Progress category have been awarded.
The First Prizes for Natural Sciences
Theoretical and Numerical Approaches for Inverse Problems in Mathematical Physics
An inverse problem in science is the process of calculating causes from a set of effects. For example, calculating the density of the Earth using measurements of its gravity field. Inverse problems can tell us about parameters that we cannot directly observe.
Prof. Cheng Jin (right) gives a keynote speech at an international academic seminar that he jointly organizes with Prof. Sergey Kabanikhin (left), Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
The project by Prof. Cheng Jin from the School of Mathematical Science mainly studies the uniqueness and stability in inverse source problems for elliptic equation. Cheng was the first to propose and carry out the study of inverse problems for time-fractional diffusion equations, setting up new numerical methods for inverse problems and making error analysis. His methods have played an important role in describing and predicting COVID-19 virus transmission.
Simulation Algorithms for Heterogeneous Catalysis
Heterogeneous catalysis is a type of catalysis that enables faster large-scale production.
Atomic-level simulation and calculation for heterogeneous catalysis
The team led by Prof. Liu Zhipan from the Department of Chemistry has developed a series of new simulation algorithms for heterogeneous catalysis such as solid-liquid continuum solvation. By integrating theories of thermodynamics, kinetics and statistical mechanics, the researchers have established an efficient framework for theoretical research of heterogeneous catalysis.
Ecological Impact of Invasive Spartina
Spartina is an alien plant widely distributed along the east coast of China. Its presence has posed threats to local ecosystems.
Prof. Li Bo investigates the invasive Spartina on Dongtan wetlands of Chongming Island with Prof. Mark Bertness (second from right) from Brown University in the US.
Prof. Li Bo’s team from the School of Life Sciences has been studying this alien plant for 20 years. His findings of the mechanisms controlling plant invasion has shed light on the impact of invasive plants on carbon and nitrogen cycles in local ecosystems, contributing to regional ecological management and restoration.
The First Prize for Technological Invention
Digital Equipment for Diagnosing and Treating Tinnitus
The equipment can diagnose hearing conditions, deliver treatments accordingly, and facilitate auditory cognition rehabilitation and long-term auditory healthcare management.
Digital Equipment for Diagnosing and Treating Tinnitus
Professor Li Huawei’s team from Eye & Ent Hospital affiliated to Fudan University spent over a decade on this invention which has transformed the standardized diagnosis of tinnitus and individualized treatment.
The First Prizes for Technological Progress
Personalized Treatment for Liver Cancer based on Liquid Biopsy and Omics Platforms
Circulating microRNAs in blood have a great prospect in serving as markers for diverse physiological and pathological conditions.
Prof. Zhou Jian’s team
Using circulating microRNAs for early liver cancer, researchers from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University led by Prof. Zhou Jian have produced the world’s first microRNA liver cancer detection kit.
The project has also developed a warning system for liver metastasis and cancer relapse based on circulating tumor cells (CTC) and a fully-automatic CTC detection and sorting system.
In addition, it integrates targeted deep sequencing of circulating tumor DNA and patient-derived tumor graft models to personalize the diagnosis and treatment of liver cancer.
This novel treatment has been included in the “Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Primary Liver Cancer (2019 Edition)” issued by the National Health Commission of China.
Prevention of Heart Failure and Mitochondrial Disorder
Prof. Sun Aijun and his team
Prof. Sun Aijun’s team from Zhongshan Hospital affiliated to Fudan University has discovered the effect of programmed necrosis in controlling heart failure. The researchers have found that the anticancer drug “chaetocin” can be used for treating heart failure, as it can regulate mitochondrial metabolism.
They have also confirmed that sodium channel mutations can impair mitochondrial function and lead to heart failure, and discovered four high-risk genes for hereditary heart failure in Chinese people.
This project was named by China Medical Tribune as one of the world’s ten most important discoveries for cardiovascular disease.
The First Prize for Technology Popularization
Give Myopia a SMILE
For those tired of wearing glasses, small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) laser surgery is a relatively new surgical procedure for correcting vision.
Prof. Zhou Xingtao introduces the causes of myopia on CCTV 10, a national TV program for science and education
Prof. Zhou Xingtao from Eye & Ent Hospital affiliated to Fudan University has been an active voice in spreading knowledge of the prevention and treatment of myopia, initiating various public welfare initiatives on myopia. The book Give Myopia a SMILE, authored by his team, has received wide praise from the public.
Outstanding Contributions to Science and Technology by Young Scholars awards
The award for Outstanding Contribution to Science and Technology by Young Scholars is presented only to those under the age of 45.
Prof. Jiang Yugang
Prof. Jiang Yugang from the School of Computer Science is a data scientist. Working on image recognition, he has successfully developed a number of video analysis systems, which have been used on the protection of key venues and facilities.
Prof. Zhao Chen
Prof. Zhao Chen from Eye & Ent Hospital affiliated to Fudan University is a devoted pediatrician specializing in eye diseases in children. He has discovered a therapeutic target and a potential drug for primary retinal degeneration and designed a brand-new approach of genetic testing for hereditary retinopathy.
Editor: Deng Jianguo, Li Yijie
