LEI Ming, Director of the National Center for Protein Science Shanghai (NCPSS) and Deputy Director of Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology (SIBCB), Institutes for Biological Sciences, CAS made a fantastic science lecture entitled "Protein Science –Golden Key to Human Health and Disease" at Shanghai Pudong Library on July 18, 2015.
Dr. Lei led the audiences to the microscopic world of protein science by talking about some familiar proteins in daily life. He said, proteins are bio-macromolecules with specific 3D structure, arising from twenty amino acids which are arranged in different sequences. Proteins can perform lots of functions, such as communication of life signals, structural support, immunity attack and defense, which are all relied on the correct folding of protein structures.
Dr. Lei led the audiences to the microscopic world of protein science by talking about some familiar proteins in daily life. He said, proteins are bio-macromolecules with specific 3D structure, arising from twenty amino acids which are arranged in different sequences. Proteins can perform lots of functions, such as communication of life signals, structural support, immunity attack and defense, which are all relied on the correct folding of protein structures.
Any change of structure or sequence of protein may result in the loss of activity and the occurrence of diseases; he took antibody, leukemia and insulin as examples for the explanations of relationship between proteins and diseases. One of the most effective methods for disease treatment is developing specific medicines by understanding the molecular mechanism of diseases.
The breakthrough in protein research will accelerate the process of understanding the nature of life, provide new routes and measures of clinical treatment, and explore new drug, bio-energy and biomaterial.
Lei also mentioned that this year is the 50th anniversary for total synthesis of crystalline bovine insulin. This research finished in 1965 was led by Dr. WANG Yinglai and was accomplished by a group of scientists from the former Institute of Biochemistry, the Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Peking University. SIBCB is preparing a series of ceremonies for this great accomplishment, he said.
In additional, Lei said the NCPSS is preparing for the national authority`s evaluation at the end of July, 2015. The NCPSS will be the first comprehensive facility in life science worldwide, which has already been an important part of the new science and innovation center in Shanghai. Lei and colleagues of NCPSS hope they could create the first class platform of protein science, which is open, collaborative and innovative. This research platform can provide a powerful support for the development of the science and technology innovations center in Shanghai with global influence.
Fig.1 Prof. LEI Ming is giving lecture
Fig. 2 The audiences
Fig. 3 A young audience is asking question
Fig. 4 The audiences on Q & A Session
(Image provided by NCPSS, SIBCB)
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