The first MicroForge Frontier Academic Conference on Microecology and Synthetic Biology was held in Shenzhen. The conference centered on the theme of “Microecological Homeostasis and Synthetic Biology,” adhering to the innovative concept of “Micro (microscopic) Forge (forging),” and brought together nearly a hundred experts, scholars, and young students to jointly explore breakthroughs in basic research, technological innovations, and clinical translation paths in the field of microecology.

This conference is hosted by the School of Medicine of Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), and co-organized by Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University and Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Metabolism and Health Sciences. Songling WANG, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Dean of the SUSTech School of Medicine, and Vice Dean Rao Hai, Professor Liang YANG of the School of Medicine of SUSTech, and Vice President Ye CHEN of Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University serve as Co-Executive Chairs.

Academician Songling WANG gave the opening speech for the conference via video. He highly affirmed the strategic value of interdisciplinary research between microecology and synthetic biology and believed that holding the conference is of great significance for breaking down disciplinary barriers. 

Xingyin LIU explained the core concept of “MicroForge” and elaborated on its academic connotations in the context of microscopic life mechanisms and cutting-edge technologies. 

Hai RAO introduced the development history of the School of Medicine at SUSTech, comprehensively showcasing the school’s remarkable achievements and development plans in discipline construction, talent cultivation, scientific research innovation, and clinical translation.

The plenary-invited report session brought together top domestic experts and authorities in the field of microbiota and related interdisciplinary areas. Experts including Academician Jingyuan FANG of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Distinguished Professor Liping ZHAO of Rutgers University, Researcher Ruifu YANG of the Academy of Military Medical Sciences, Director Hongzhou LU of the Second Affiliated Hospital of SUSTech, Professor Shuangjiang LIU of Shandong University, Researcher Fangqing ZHAO of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Changtao JIANG of Peking University, Professor Gong CHENG of Tsinghua University, Researcher Wei QIAN of the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Hongwei ZHOU of Southern Medical University Shenzhen Hospital, Researcher Hongwei LIU of the Institute of Microbiology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor Xingming ZHAO of Fudan University, and Professor Hong WEI of Jinfeng Laboratory gave special reports. The experts focused on frontier advances such as the pathogenic mechanisms and intervention of gut cancer microbiota, construction of microbial ecological models, exploration and validation of characteristic strains, artificial intelligence analysis of microbial interactions, strategies for curing infectious diseases, regulation of viral transmission by symbiotic microbes, diagnostic and therapeutic targets of microbial metabolites, cross-organ regulation of bile acids, AI-powered big data analysis, and spatial multi-omics applications, comprehensively showcasing China’s leading achievements in basic microbiota theory and technological breakthroughs.

During the conference, six major sub-forums were established: “Collaborative Development of Microecology and Overall Health,” “Frontier Technological Innovations in Microecology Driven by Synthetic Biology,” “Innovations in Microecological Diagnostics and Treatment Technology and Precise Disease Prevention,” “Microecology, Metabolism, and Epigenetics,” “Microecology, Infection, and Immunity,” and “The Impact of Microecology on the Nervous System and Its Mechanisms.”

The conference specially set up an academic poster display and award session, where young scholars from multiple universities and research institutes showcased their latest achievements. Based on a comprehensive evaluation of research depth, logical structure, and innovative potential by the review committee, multiple awards were presented.

This conference not only concentrated on showcasing China’s leading advancements in the basic theory of microecology and interdisciplinary fields, providing a high-level platform for academic exchange and cooperation for the collaborative innovation of the life and health industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, but also laid a solid foundation for cross-disciplinary academic collaboration and scientific research innovation in the Greater Bay Area.