Keynote Speakers

Dr. Xujie Liu, Professor

Fuwai Hospital Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Shenzhen, China

Biography: Dr. Xujie Liu works in Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences Fuwai Hospital Shenzhen. He is a high-level overseas talent under the Peacock Plan in Shenzhen. He obtained a doctoral degree from Peking University Health Science Center and completed postdoctoral training at Boston Children's Hospital, affiliated with Harvard Medical School. Currently, his research focuses on mitochondrial cardiomyopathy, cardiac organoids, gene editing therapy. Prof. Liu has been the principal investigator for several projects such as the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Youth Fund), Shenzhen Basic Research General Project, and Chongqing Natural Science General Project. As a first/corresponding author, he has published more than 10 SCI papers in high-impact journals such as Circulation and Circulation Research.

Topic: Cardiovascular Disease Research Based on hPSCs and Gene Editing

Abstract: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death worldwide. Currently, the main goals of clinical treatment are to alleviate symptoms and slow down disease progression. However, there is currently no effective clinical treatment for hereditary cardiovascular diseases caused by genetic mutations. The emergence and application of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) and gene editing have provided immense hope for research and treatment of these diseases. Our team has successfully developed an efficient inducible spCas9 gene editing system in hPSCs, achieving a knockout efficiency of over 90% for the target genes. Additionally, we have also created an efficient inducible base editing system, with an introduction efficiency of over 80% for point mutations. Using this advanced editing system, we have successfully generated a Barth Syndrome hPSCs-CMs model by knocking out the Tafazzin gene. This in vitro cell model accurately recapitulates the severe Ca²⁺ handling abnormalities and impaired contraction force observed in Barth Syndrome patients with arrhythmia and dilated cardiomyopathy in clinical settings. Through our research, we have discovered that the ROS-CaMKII-RYR2 pathway is over-activated in Barth Syndrome hPSCs-CMs. Furthermore, we have successfully restored the disease phenotypes by blocking this pathway. Lastly, we have conducted in vivo gene therapy research using the base editor on transgenic mice with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and hereditary arrhythmias respectively. This research has allowed us to systematically evaluate the therapeutic efficacy and identify the correlation between efficacy and editing rate. These findings provide crucial theoretical basis and data support for the future clinical translation of gene therapy.

Dr. Dong-Myong Kim, Professor

KJMbio R&D Center, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Biography: Dr. Dong-Myong Kim is a Professor at the KJMbio R&D Center, Seoul National University, Korea. He completed his doctoral studies in Biophysical Chemistry at the University of Tsukuba from March 1991 to February 1992. He also earned his Ph.D. in Biological Engineering from Seoul National University, graduating in February 2001. He completed his post-doctoral research in Nanobiotechnology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign from February 2004 to February 2006. Currently, he serves as a Professor and Center Director at the Seoul National University Industry-Academic Cooperation Foundation, a role he has held since October 2010. Dr. Dong-Myong Kim's research primarily focuses on the convergence of various fields within the bio domain, with particular emphasis on genes and cell biology. He has published 195 papers in renowned SCI(E) journals and applied for and registered 68 patents. He has also successfully implemented 52 projects, including government assignments, and has been honored with the Presidential Award, in addition to twelve other prestigious awards.

Topic: Skin Improvement of Compositions Containing Nano-Exosomes Derived From Aloe Vera Bark Callus, A New Type of Transdermal Delivery System

Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to extract nano-exosomes from Aloe vera bark callus and validate their effects on collagen synthesis and skin corneous improvement. Methods: Human dermal fibroblast (HDF) was used to validate collagen synthesis, while HaCaT cells, a human keratin cell line, were used to verify absorption capability. The Folin–Denis’s technique was used to determine the polyphenol content. In addition, lotion formulations and skin application experiments were also carried out. Results: Nano-exosomes with size ranging 50–150 nm were successfully isolated from Aloe vera bark callus (alosomes). Alosomes produced 22.11% more collagen in HDF than Aloe vera bark extract at 1.0% concentration. In the cytotoxicity test, 80% of cells were survived at concentrations of 1% or less. After one hour, a considerable quantity was transported into the cytoplasm of HaCaT cells. The polyphenol concentration was four times that of Aloe vera bark extract. Skin tests using alosome-containing lotion demonstrated that skin surface, hydration, and elasticity were improved after 4 weeks. Moisture contents of the stratum corneum and dermis layer were improved, whereas moisture content of corneous was reduced after 4 weeks. Conclusion: The skin-improving effect of nano-exosomes derived from Aloe vera bark callus is shown in this study, indicating its potential as a functional cosmetic raw material.

Dr. Zhenhuan Liu, Professor

Nanhai Maternity and Children Hospital Affiliated to Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine

Biography: Dr. Zhenhuan Liu, professor of pediatrics, pediatric acupuncturist, Ph.D. tutor. He has been engaged in pediatric clinical and child rehabilitation for 40 years. Led the rehabilitation team to treat more than 40,000 cases of children with intellectual disability, cerebral palsy and autism from China and more than 20 countries. More than 26800 children deformity returned to school and society and became self-sufficient. The rehabilitation effect ranks the international advanced level. Vice-chairman of Rehabilitation Professional Committee children with Cerebral Palsy, World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies. Visiting professor of Chinese University of Hong Kong in recent 10 years. He is the most famous pediatric neurological and rehabilitation specialists in integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine in China. He has edited 10 books. He has published 268 papers in international and Chinese medical journals.

Topic: Neuroimaging by Evaluation Nerverenovate and Neuroplasticity of Acupuncture in Children with Cerebral Palsy

Abstract: Objective: (1) To investigate the effect of and Acupuncture on brain plasticity and motor development in children with cerebral palsy. Investigate effect on mechanism of apoptosis of brain nerve cells, regulating the expression of neurotrophic factors, promoting the remodeling of nerve synaptic structure and motor development in young rats with cerebral palsy. (2) To evaluate the effect and mechanism of acupuncture on cerebral palsy. (3) The nerve repair effect of acupuncture on cerebral palsy. Methods: In this study, 146 cases of brain injury and 1078 cases of cerebral palsy were included by randomized controlled study with ICF gross motor function measure, Peabody fine motor function, Gesell, muscle tension, joint activity, activity of daily living transcranial doppler, skull B ultrasound, Brain Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Imaging MRI, Positron Emission Tomography SPECT, Diffusion tensor tractography evaluation method. Results: The recovery rate of extracellular space (92.3%) was significantly higher than that of the control group (70.8%) (P <0.05), Transcranial Doppler, TCD total efficiency (79.3%) was significantly higher than that in the control group (51.8%) (P <0.05). Acupuncture to promoting the development of neurological and cognitive movement under 6 months children, effectively reduce the neurological sequelae. The total effective rate of the children with cerebral palsy was 87% in the acupuncture group, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (P <0.01). The total effective rate of Brain MRI was 59.55% in the acupuncture group and 13.25% higher than that in the control group (P <0.01). The total effective rate was 91.3% in the 1 year follow-up group, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (P <0.01). The FA value of white matter fiber bundle was significantly higher than that of acupuncture at 60 times (P <0.05). The recovery rate of ultrasonous brain injury (86.7%) in acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in control group (64.4%) (P <0.05). The recovery rate of brain SPECT in acupuncture group was 96.4%, which was significantly higher than that in the control group (P <0.01). Conclusion: Acupuncture rehabilitation not only promote the development of white matter and gray matter in children with cerebral palsy, but also promote the brain function of children with cerebral palsy remodeling and compensation, and promote social adaptation, language and other cognitive function development, children with cerebral palsy movement and fine motor function development and recovery, improve the children's self-care ability.