Academician LO Yuk Ming, recipient of the inaugural Tengchong Science Award, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, visited the Tengchong Scientists Forum Center. Discussions centered on leveraging the forum platform to deepen multi-party collaboration and foster greater sharing and integration of scientific resources. Xia Xueshan, President of Kunming Medical University; Zhang Guojun, Director of Yunnan Cancer Hospital; and Chen Yu, Secretary-General and Director of the Tengchong Scientists Forum Center participated in the exchange.
During the visit, Academician Lo toured the working premises of the Forum Center, gaining detailed insights into the development, significant achievements, and future plans of the TSF. He spoke highly of the TSF's efforts in fostering scientific exchanges both domestically and internationally, affirming his continued attention and support for the Tengchong Scientists Forum. He expressed hope that this platform would facilitate enhanced cooperation with research institutions, enabling deeper, multi-level exchanges and collaboration in academic discourse, research commercialisation, and talent cultivation. This would accelerate the practical application of scientific discoveries for the greater benefit of society.
Academician Lo attended the Frontiers in Mechanisms of Major Human Diseases and Animal Models Symposium hosted by the Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences on 5 September. He delivered an invited lecture entitled ‘Recent Advances in Liquid Biopsy’, presenting cutting-edge technological achievements in this field.
Academician Lo has long been engaged in medical genetics research and is internationally recognized as a global pioneer in the field of liquid biopsy, particularly as a trailblazer in non-invasive prenatal testing. His development of non-invasive screening for Down syndrome established DNA-based ‘non-invasive prenatal diagnostic technology’, earning him the title of ‘Father of Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing’. This technology is now widely adopted in over 100 countries, benefiting approximately 10 million expectant mothers globally each year. In 2023, Academician Lo was awarded the inaugural Tengchong Science Award in recognition of his groundbreaking innovations in non-invasive prenatal testing technology.
The Tengchong Science Award honours 1 to 3 individuals or teams per year, with each recipient receiving US$1.5 million or RMB 10 million. It stands as one of China's most influential scientific awards.
The visit of Academician Lo to Yunnan has not only forged a bridge for multi-party collaboration but also laid a foundation for deeper exchanges across more fields in the future. Through the concerted efforts of all parties, the Tengchong Scientists Forum will continue to uphold the principles of openness and cooperation, building an ever-expanding platform for global scientists to exchange ideas. This will facilitate the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, enabling the forum to play an increasingly significant role in advancing global scientific and technological innovation.
