On the morning of September 18, 2026, the 17th Elite Forum of 2026 convened in Room B102 of the Life Sciences Building at Qianhu Campus. Hosted by Dr. Dong Wang, the Deputy Dean of the School of Life Sciences, the event featured Dr. Shun Li, a professor at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and an outstanding member of the CAS Youth Innovation Promotion Association, as the keynote speaker. He presented on “Interactions between Fish Viruses and Hosts and Prevention and Control Technologies,” fostering active participation among faculty and students and cultivating a vibrant academic atmosphere.

Dr. Li commenced his presentation by highlighting that aquatic diseases cause annual economic losses of approximately 50 billion RMB in China’s aquaculture sector. Major freshwater fish ailments, such as spring viremia of carp and grass carp hemorrhagic disease, are characterized by rapid onset, high transmissibility, and elevated mortality rates, yet lack specific therapeutic agents. To address this critical industrial challenge, Dr. Li’s team has long investigated the mechanisms underlying fish virus-host interactions, integrating fundamental theoretical research with practical solutions for farmers. The presentation delineated a comprehensive technological framework spanning from immune mechanisms, pathogenic principles, pathological indicators, and early warning markers to breeding, treatment, detection, and prevention strategies.

Regarding therapeutic technologies, Dr. Li acknowledged that while effective small-molecule compounds can be identified in laboratory settings, precise dosage adjustment remains challenging for farmers in practice. Consequently, the team pivoted its approach by leveraging the common agricultural practice of cultivating vegetables alongside fish farming, pioneering a “fish dietary therapy” strategy. Dr. Li detailed the research process, noting that the team screened extracts from fifteen vegetable species, including coffee plants, ultimately discovering that chili peppers exhibit significant antiviral effects. This innovative approach, bridging cutting-edge molecular biology with field-applicable techniques, elicited sustained applause from the audience.

The presentation was comprehensive and logically rigorous, generating enthusiastic responses from attendees. During the interactive session, faculty and students actively posed questions related to their own research interests, further enhancing the scholarly ambiance. This forum not only showcased Dr. Li’s profound expertise and innovative achievements in fish virology but also exemplified the researchers’ commitment to aligning scientific inquiry with national needs, inspiring young scholars to engage in research addressing real-world challenges facing the country.

Graduate Student Council, School of Life Sciences

Photos: Ren Haiyang

Text: Ren Haiyang

Preliminary Review: Yang Wanying
Second Review: Zhao Daxian
Final Review: Xia Bin