The “Cell Science Beijing Conference,” jointly organized by Tsinghua Medicine and Cell Press, with support from the Beijing Municipal Science and Technology Commission, Administrative Commission of Zhongguancun Science Park, was held at Tsinghua University. The event, focusing on the theme “From lab to patient: Cell and gene therapy in clinical trials and beyond” brought together top global experts to discuss the latest advancements and challenges in the field of cell and gene therapy, offering new insights into the future of healthcare.

Opening Remarks and Support from Leading Institutions

Opening Remarks by Wong Tien Yin

In his opening address, Professor Wong Tien Yin, Vice Provost of Tsinghua University and Senior Vice-Chancellor of Tsinghua Medicine, welcomed the distinguished leaders and guests in attendance. He expressed deep gratitude to the organizers for their significant support. Professor Wong highlighted the Tsinghua Medicine’s commitment to advancing scientific breakthroughs and its continued focus on addressing critical global medical challenges, aiming to establish Tsinghua Medicine as a world-leading center for research and innovation.

Opening Remarks by Dr. Sheila Chari

Dr. Sheila Chari, Editor-in-Chief of Cell Stem Cell at Cell Press, also delivered an opening address. She emphasized that advancements in technology and interdisciplinary collaboration are rapidly driving cell and gene therapies toward clinical applications, a transformation that will reshape the future of medicine. Dr. Chari reaffirmed Cell Press's commitment to advancing medical progress and contributing to the development of health technologies.

In-Depth Discussions on Cell and Gene Therapy

The conference featured two main themes: “Cell Therapy” and “Gene Therapy,” covering a wide range of topics including CAR-T therapy, stem cell treatments, and gene editing. Leading experts in the field presented groundbreaking research and clinical applications.

speaking guest

In the “Cell Therapy” session, Professor Xu Huji from Tsinghua University presented advancements in allogeneic CD19-targeted CAR-T cell therapy for autoimmune diseases. Professor Fabian Muller from Erlangen University Hospital shared insights on CAR-T cell therapy in rheumatic diseases. Professor Sonja Schrepfer from the University of California, San Francisco, discussed innovative dual-approach therapies to “trick” the immune system in treating Type 1 diabetes. Professor Kwang-Soo Kim from Harvard University’s McLean Hospital explored autologous cell therapies for Parkinson's disease, emphasizing the bi-directional practice of translating laboratory discoveries to clinical settings and back. Additionally, Professor Hui Lijian from the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology presented new techniques in liver regeneration via cell-type conversion, while Professor Na Jie from Tsinghua University highlighted cardiovascular tissue regeneration through human pluripotent stem cell-derived cells.

speaking guest

The “Gene Therapy” session featured notable talks, including Professor Cai Yuqia from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who shared insights into the safety and efficacy of lentiviral vectors with modified micro-insulators for treating β-thalassemia. Professor Edward Wild from University College London discussed new developments in gene therapy for Huntington’s disease, while Professor Laurent Servais from Oxford University explored advances in gene therapy for muscular dystrophies. Professor Alessandra Biffi from the University of Padua presented advanced treatment approaches for neuro-metabolic and neurodegenerative diseases. Professor Wei Wensheng from Peking University, Changping Laboratory, introduced new breakthroughs in gene editing technologies, and Professor Li Wei from the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, shared research on mammalian regeneration and the development of gene and cell therapies.

Roundtable Discussions on Key Challenges

roundtable discussions

A roundtable discussion session brought together scholars to address key challenges in the field, including the safety, manufacturing costs, and optimization of cell and gene therapies. The experts provided valuable insights on how to overcome these barriers to ensure the successful clinical application of these transformative therapies.

Closing Remarks and Future Outlook

Closing speech by Dr. Duc Le

In the closing remarks, Dr. Duc Le, Editor-in-Chief of Cell at Cell Press, highlighted the rapid development of cell and gene therapies and their potential to offer new solutions for treating various diseases. However, he emphasized that the translation from laboratory research to clinical application remains fraught with challenges. Dr. Le concluded by noting that the conference provided an invaluable opportunity to review the latest achievements in the field and laid a solid foundation for the future clinical translation of these therapies.