The Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) recently unveiled the results of the National Key Research and Development Program titled “Developmental Programming and Metabolic Regulation”.

The project, “Dynamic changes and interactions of cell populations during the hematopoietic system development”, led by Zilong WEN, Chair Professor of the Department of Immunology and Microbiology at the School of Life Sciences of the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), received official approval.

Under the leadership of SUSTech, the project involves collaboration with institutions such as the South China University of Technology, the University of Hong Kong, the Institute of Zoology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the Chongqing Institute of Green and Intelligent Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Utilizing zebrafish and mice as the primary model animals, and a series of proprietary platforms, such as dynamic tracing in somatic cells, as the technological foundation, it will aim to explore a series of important scientific questions concerning hematopoietic system development and decipher the pathogenic mechanisms and potential solutions to various blood diseases.

Professor Zilong WEN has published more than 90 papers in internationally renowned journals, including Cell, Science, Nature Cell Biology, Developmental Cell, PNAS, Science Advance, Blood, Journal of Experimental Medicine, and Cell Reports. With over 14,000 citations to his name, he has significantly enhanced the country’s international standing in the field of developmental biology.

The National Key Research and Development Program aims to fund major research projects that are important for national development, economic growth, and technological advancement. It focuses on addressing scientific and technological issues related to the core competitiveness of industries and national security to strengthen cross-functional collaboration, and provide support and guidance for major areas of national economic and social development.