To strengthen research project management and improve research quality, the Jinan Microecological Biomedicine Shandong Laboratory organised a mid-term review meeting for ongoing research projects on 17 July. Wu Nanping, Executive Deputy Director of the Jinan Laboratory, and Li Xinguang, Deputy Director, attended the meeting. An expert review panel was formed by Principal Investigators (PIs) Wu Junhua, Lyu Longxian, and Sun Zeyu, with Sun Zeyu chairing the meeting.
The meeting heard work reports from 19 project leaders, covering the 2023 Shandong Provincial Natural Science Foundation Projects and laboratory startup funding projects. Each leader provided a systematic report on the progress of the project, interim achievements, budget utilisation, and future work plans. The expert panel carefully reviewed the relevant materials and gave full affirmation to the research progress and interim achievements of each project. They also provided professional guidance on key issues such as the rigor of research logic and the adequacy of data support during the project implementation process. During the meeting, the Science and Education Development Department also emphasised the requirements for scientific integrity during project implementation, clarified the criteria for project completion and acceptance, and ensured the authenticity and validity of research outcomes.
Li Xinguang commended the interim achievements of each project. He pointed out that the mid-term review is a crucial step in ensuring project quality, and required project leaders to carefully review and incorporate expert opinions and suggestions, clarify and optimise future research plans, and ensure high-quality completion of the projects. Additionally, he stressed the importance of focusing on the long term, strengthening the foundation of scientific research, striving for major original and disruptive breakthroughs in the field of microbiology, achieving landmark results, and paying attention to the application and conversion of research outcomes to extend the reach of scientific research projects and maximise their effectiveness, thereby contributing to the socio-economic development of Shandong Province and the nation.
Wu Nanping put forward three requirements for scientific researchers: First, establish a research planning system with clear objectives and pathways by formulating short-term and medium-to-long-term research plans closely aligned with the microecology research direction. Second, integrate basic research with technology transfer to facilitate the practical application of research outcomes and enhance their value. Third, strengthen collaboration and exchange to foster innovative outcomes with significant scientific and practical potential through interdisciplinary integration.
Among the 19 ongoing projects, several have achieved significant progress. Professor Wang Hangxiang, Dr. Yang Jiapeng, and Dr. Wang Xuejun have achieved important breakthroughs in the fields of microecology-nanodisk drug combination anti-cancer treatment strategies, vitamin C treatment for inflammatory bowel disease, light-responsive materials simulating dynamic extracellular microenvironments to regulate cells, and engineered probiotics regulating anxiety-like behaviour. The relevant research findings, with the Jinan Laboratory as the first author institution, have been published in international authoritative journals such as the Journal of Nanobiotechnology and Cell Stem Cell. Additionally, Professor Wang Yi developed a machine learning identification model for the origin of honeysuckle based on metabolomics and a high-spectral imaging (HSI) quality rapid identification model, establishing a quantitative evaluation standard system for ‘traits-components-efficacy.’ This provides important technical support for improving the quality of honeysuckle herbal medicines and formulations, and driving the high-quality development of Shandong Province's honeysuckle industry.
