BAO Min: Youth Power in S&T Development

The future of science and technology lies in the young generation.

On November 11, the World Young Scientist Summit 2023 (WYSS 2023) unveiled in Wenzhou, Zhejiang. At its opening ceremony, BAO Min, principle investigator of Oujiang Lab, joined the dialogue session on brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) together with experts like Nobel Laureate Joseph H. Taylor, Jr. What led BAO, a young scientist born in 1990, to the course of science and research? What’s his interpretation of “the future of science and technology lies in the young generation”? Let’s check it out.

1. What are the reasons that lead you to the course of science and focus on the field of life and health?

BAO Min: My journey in research is not accidental. I majored in bio-engineering as an undergraduate, which was known as one of the three most unpopular majors at the time, and I wasn’t in a top university back then.  A few years later, I studied at Donghua University in Shanghai (DHU) for a master degree in biochemistry and molecular biology, where I met my supervisor Prof. ZHANG Yanzhong. It was under his guidance that I finally got the threshold of scientific research. Such education experience taught me the importance of persistence and hard work, which really matters in my following journey.

After graduating from my master’s degree, I chose to study for a PhD in the Netherlands. I recalled that there was a sentence posted on the wall next to my seat: Scientist in 19th century: I must find the explanation for this phenomenon in order to truly understand Nature. Scientist in 21st century: I must get the results that fits my narrative so I can get my paper into Nature. An interesting remark. I’m not saying it’s 100% right, but it tells us that most people who choose the field of life and health are curious and enthusiastic about the miracles of biology and the improvement of human health. As the study went deeper, I gradually found the interest of this field, which strengthened my determination in continuing in this path.

2. What’s your plan for academic research or industrial development?

BAO Min: In the past few years, I have been mainly engaged in research on the intersection of biology, medicine and mechanics, focusing on unraveling the mechanical regulatory mechanisms in early embryonic development and disease development. These mechanical signals act synergistically with biochemical signals to regulate embryonic function, organ maturation, and disease development. If this mechanical conduction is abnormal, it may lead to various diseases, such as embryo implantation failure, pregnancy loss, and even defects in the development of organs such as the heart, brain, and neural tube.

Faced with the challenges of in-vivo research and the limitations of in-vitro research, we have adopted an innovative interdisciplinary approach and achieved the 3 key progresses in 3D single-cell mechanical research platforms, 3D multi-cell mechanical interaction mechanism research, and organoid construction targeting at diseases and tissue repair in specific mechanical statuses.

In the future, I will continue focusing on the study on developmental and disease biomechanics, to explore in depth how these mechanical signals interact with molecular and genetic factors to influence such processes. In addition, I also plan to cooperate with clinicians to expand the scope of our research with biomechanics as the core: such as brain diseases, aging, regeneration and repair of diseased tissues and organs, among others.

In terms of industrial development, we are trying to transform research results into medical services. For example, by controlling the adhesion of cells, organoids can be constructed more efficiently in vitro. My dream is to “Legolize” tissue construction through cell mechanics, to apply these organoids in drug screening, personalized disease diagnosis and treatment, and other fields. I believe that through continuous efforts, my team and I can make some contributions to human health and disease treatment.

3. What is your understanding to “the future of science and technology lies in the young generation”?

BAO Min: The majority of scientists are most creative and capable of innovation, and most likely to make outstanding achievements in their youth, though there are some scientists that succeed in their elder phase. I read a report recently that the average age of the design team of the Long March A rockets that launched the Beidou satellite was less than 30 years old.

WYSS is a platform built for exchanges between young scientists. It is also intended to encourage young scientists to seize their youth, to have great ambitions, and continuously advance into the world of science in a deeper and broader way. 

In this process, I feel that the role of more experienced scientists cannot be ignored. They not only possess valuable knowledge and experience, but also play a guiding and bridging role in scientific exploration and technological innovation. They play an irreplaceable role in cultivating the younger generation, passing on experience, keeping scientific legacies, and upholding ethical standards. The future of science and technology requires the vitality and innovation of young people, as well as the guidance and wisdom of the elder generation. Only when those two are combined, can they jointly expand the boundaries of science.

4. As a young scientist born in the 1990s, how will you exert your own strength to support the development in life and health?

BAO Min: First of all, keep learning and researching. We need to stay close to the latest research progress, new knowledge and technologies. Meanwhile, We need to focus on interdisciplinary cooperation, exchange more with experts in other fields, as the issues in life and health are always complex.

Secondly, we need to play are greater role in science popularization. We should make life and health knowledge known by more people through essays, speeches, social media and other channels, and improve the public’s health awareness and scientific literacy, which is significant for promoting the health of the entire society.

Last but not least, transformation of scientific research results. We should actively look for opportunities to market scientific research results or apply to clinical practices, stepping up the transformation of scientific research results from the laboratory to the market or to patients.

(Source: Xinhua News Agency)