GBA Science Conferences (GBaSiC) Successfully Held in Qianhai Shenzhen
On March 10, 2026, the Greater Bay Area Science Conferences (GBaSiC) were successfully held in Qianhai, Shenzhen. Focusing on oncology and immunology, the conference brought together leading experts and scholars from China and abroad for in-depth academic exchanges.
Participants included Professor Alan D’Andrea of Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Medicine, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences; Academician Zeng Musheng and Professor Cai Muyan of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center; Professor Xu Anlong, Professor Bei Jinxin, and Research Fellow Sun Qiang of Sun Yat-sen University Institute of Advanced Studies Hong Kong (IASHK); Professor Li Mengfeng of Southern Medical University and Sun Yat-sen University; Professor Bai Fan of the Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center at Peking University; Professor Shao Jimin of Zhejiang University; Professor Guan Xinyuan of the University of Hong Kong; Professor Peter E. Lobie of Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School; Professor Li Bin of Shanghai Jiao Tong University; and Professor Yu Qiang of the A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore, and Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory.
Professor Xu Anlong, Dean of IASHK, delivered the opening remarks. He noted that the Greater Bay Area is accelerating its development as an international innovation and technology hub. The conference aimed to establish a high-level, small-scale platform for international academic exchange, foster an atmosphere that prioritizes substance over formality, promote the integration of basic research and clinical applications, and advance breakthroughs at the frontiers of biomedicine.
Professor Xu Anlong of IASHK Delivers the Opening Remarks
During the presentations, Academician Alan D’Andrea introduced new directions in precision targeted therapies, focusing on synthetic lethality strategies for tumors with DNA damage repair deficiencies. Academician Zeng Musheng presented a systematic overview of rational vaccine design for the Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), exploring new approaches to the prevention and treatment of virus-associated cancers. Professor Li Mengfeng shared research on novel mechanisms of immune cell-mediated bone metastasis, while Professor Xu Anlong presented his research on the regulatory mechanisms of RNA alternative polyadenylation in cancer and immunity.
Professor Alan D’Andrea of Harvard University
Academician Zeng Musheng of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Professor Li Mengfeng of Southern Medical University and Sun Yat-sen University
In addition, several scholars presented advances in frontier research from different perspectives. Using liver cancer as a case study, Professor Bai Fan introduced research findings from the China Cancer Genome Project. Professor Peter E. Lobie shared novel strategies for cancer treatment, while Professor Yu Qiang and Professor Li Bin explored directions for immunotherapy development, focusing on T-cell reprogramming and regulatory T-cell mechanisms, respectively.
Professor Bai Fan of the Biomedical Pioneering Innovation Center at Peking University
Professor Peter E. Lobie of Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School
Professor Yu Qiang of the A*STAR Genome Institute of Singapore, and Tianfu Jincheng Laboratory
Professor Li Bin of Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Finally, Professor Bei Jinxin hold an open discussion in which participants explored topics including basic research and clinical translation, international collaboration, and the development of biomedical innovation worldwide. Participants generally agreed that small, focused academic conferences featuring the latest research advances provide ample opportunities for in-depth exchanges, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and collaboration. During the event, the experts also learned about Qianhai's development and visited Taikang Hospital.
Professor Bei Jinxin of IASHK
The successful GBA Science Conferences established a high-level platform for international academic exchange in biomedicine in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. Looking ahead, the conference is expected to continue as a flagship scientific conference series developed by IASHK, bringing together leading scientists from around the world and further strengthening the integration of frontier scientific research and regional innovation development.
