Hosted by the Molecular Imaging Academic Subgroup of the Biophysical Society of China (BSC) and organized by the Guangzhou Laboratory, the 2021 National Conferenceon Molecular Imaging was held from Dec 27 to 28, 2021, at Guangzhou International Bio Island in Guangzhou, capital of South China’s Guangdong province.

With the theme of molecular imaging and translational medicine, the conference focused on three academic topics pertaining to molecular imaging probes, medical imaging equipment and artificial intelligence, as well as the clinical transformation and application of molecular probes.

A total of 49 top scholars shared the latest scientific research achievements and cutting-edge technologies in the field in both online and offline form, together with more than 500 participants. 

The 2021 National Conference on Molecular Imaging is held in Guangzhou from Dec 27 to 28. [Photo/BSC Molecular Imaging Academic Subgroup]

Wang Fan, chairman of the Molecular Imaging Academic Subgroup of the BSC and professor at Peking University, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, expressing her heartfelt thanks and warm welcome to scholars who were attending the conference.

Wang Fan, chairman of the Molecular Imaging Academic Subgroup of the BSC, delivers a speech at the opening ceremony. [Photo/BSC Molecular Imaging Academic Subgroup]

Wang said that under the guidance of Professor Tian Jie, the first chairman of the subgroup, and the joint efforts of all group members, China’s molecular imaging industry has developed vigorously in the past decade and made important progress in molecular probes, imaging equipment and clinical transformation.

Molecular imaging has been included in major national-funded projects including the National Key Basic Research Program, the National High-tech R&D Program, the National Key Research and Development Program and the National Major Scientific Instruments and Equipment Development Project, where outstanding professionals and scholars have emerged, she said.

According to Wang, molecular imaging aims to solve practical clinical problems and the discipline plays an irreplaceable role in disease screening, early diagnosis, in vivo molecular typing, staging, prognostic evaluation, efficacy evaluation and individualized treatment guidance, especially for tumor. It has become an important part of precision medicine.

Wang said molecular imaging has shifted from basic research to clinical transformation and industrialization in the past 10 years and she said she hopes that this discipline will play a greater role in precision medicine, serve society and benefit the people in the next 10 years.

Xu Tao, an academician from the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and president of the BSC, shared his views at the conference, thanked experts, affirmed the development of China's molecular imaging industry and the efforts of the Molecular Imaging Academic Subgroup and wished the conference a complete success.

Xu Tao, a CAS academician and president of the BSC, shares his views at the conference. [Photo/BSC Molecular Imaging Academic Subgroup]

Song Erwei, a CAS academician and president of the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital at Sun Yat-sen University, Teng Gaojun, a CAS academician and president of Zhongda Hospital of Southeast University, Tian Jie, professor and vice-dean of the School of Medical Science and Engineering at Beihang University and Zheng Hairong, research fellow and deputy director of the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology at the CAS, delivered keynote speeches.

A lifetime achievement award was granted to Tian for his contributions to China’s molecular imaging with the approval of the BSC.

Teng Gaojun, a CAS academician, presents the Lifetime Achievement Award to Professor Tian Jie at the conference. [Photo/BSC Molecular Imaging Academic Subgroup]