On July 18, 2026, the 11th, 12th, and 13th sessions of the Elite Forum of NCU School of Life Sciences were convened in Room A101a of the Fundamental Laboratory Building, Qianhu Campus. The event was hosted by Professor Shanghong Wang, deputy dean of the School of Life Sciences. Three distinguished alumni – Professor Bo Li, Professor Jingyan Zhang, and Professor Shuyong Zhang – were invited back to campus to deliver academic lectures.

Professor Bo Li presented a lecture titled "Phylogeny and Taxonomic Studies of Lamiaceae," reviewing his research during his master's studies at Nanchang University and his doctoral studies at the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Addressing the integration of traditional morphological taxonomy and molecular systematics, he highlighted that macroscopic traits (leaf shape, flower color, fruit morphology, etc.) are essentially the genetic manifestations of microscopic traits (DNA sequences), and that the two are not contradictory. He systematically introduced the research history of phylogenetic rearrangements of Lamiaceae and outlined his team’s advancements on the taxonomic identity of the genus Premna.

Professor Jingyan Zhang delivered a report on "Maternal Diet Regulates Embryonic Development through Gut Microbiota." She first introduced the DOHaD (Developmental Origins of Health and Disease) theory, noting that early-life nutritional status is closely associated with the incidence of adult diseases. Using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism, her team screened 42 different bacterial strains and identified strain R1882, which, when used to feed the worms, caused embryonic developmental abnormalities and death. Through inhibitor rescue experiments, oxidative lipid fluorescence labeling, and lipidomics analysis, the team confirmed that the embryonic death was caused by ferroptosis – a form of cell death driven by lipid peroxidation. Further studies revealed that R1882, due to a defect in thiamine (vitamin B1) biosynthesis, led to accumulation of oxidized phospholipids, which in turn triggers embryonic ferroptosis, while vitamin B1 supplementation could effectively rescue the embryonic developmental defects.  This study indicated a molecular mechanism by which maternal dietary oxidized lipids induce embryonic ferroptosis through maternal-to-embryonic transfer.

Professor Shuyong Zhang presented a report titled "Development of Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) Targeting DR5," introducing his team's achievements in the development of novel anti-tumor drugs. Starting from Paul Ehrlich's concept of the "magic bullet" proposed in 1908, he systematically reviewed the global R&D history and market overview of ADC drugs. Professor Zhang pointed out that first-generation DR5-targeting drugs failed due to complicated signaling pathways and limited efficacy. His team innovatively adopted an anti-DR5-ADC strategy, utilizing antibodies to specifically deliver small-molecule toxins into tumor cells, effectively circumventing the inhibitory effects of DR5-mediated complex signal transduction on cell death. This strategy holds promise as a First-in-Class and Best-in-Class innovative anti-tumor drug.

The three speakers engaged in discussions with faculty and students on topics such as research topic selection, model organism choices, and paths for new drug development. They encouraged students to build a solid foundation, broaden their horizons, and to question and tackle scientific challenges with grit. The forum concluded successfully in a warm academic atmosphere.