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CUHK co-hosts world’s first Nature Conferences on translational biomaterials
Event brings together global leaders to advance clinical translation of biomaterial research
The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), in collaboration with the journals in the Nature portfolio, including Nature, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Nanotechnology and Nature Materials, hosted the world’s first Nature Conferences dedicated to translational biomaterials recently. The conference brought together over 300 leading scientists, experts, and journal editors, among others, from around the world in biomaterials, biomedical engineering and clinical translation, engaging in discussions on the latest advances in biomaterials research, as well as on key challenges in clinical translation.
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK Vice-Chancellor and President, delivered the opening remarks, highlighting biomaterials as a key component of the University’s strategic research area in innovative biomedicine. He emphasised the inherently interdisciplinary nature of biomaterial research, which relies on close collaboration among engineering, science and clinical medicine, and noted that the conference – organised by CUHK and the Nature journals – provided an ideal platform to promote cross-disciplinary dialogue and scientific innovation.
The conference was chaired by Professor Mao Chuanbin, Director of JC STEM Lab of Nature-inspired Precision Medical Engineering and Global STEM Scholar at CUHK’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. Professor Mao remarked the event brought together leading scholars and experts from around the world, achieving exceptional standards in academic depth, programme design and interactive format. The conference not only strengthened CUHK’s connections with top international research institutions and scientific journals, but also further reinforced the University’s academic standing in biomaterials. It showcased CUHK’s role as a world-leading research university, demonstrating its strength and commitment in advancing high-impact translational research.
Insights from Nature editors broaden the horizons of academic dialogue
Biomaterials play an important role in modern medicine, with applications spanning drug delivery, tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, diagnostics and immunotherapy. As global demand for translational medicine continues to grow, accelerating the pathway from fundamental discovery to clinical implementation has become a shared priority for both academia and the medical community.
Unlike conventional academic meetings, the conference integrated editorial perspectives, enabling direct interaction between researchers and Nature portfolio editors on emerging research directions, evaluation criteria for translational studies, scientific communication and publication strategies. Professor Mao and the editors co-chaired scientific sessions and oversaw the poster evaluation process, selecting nearly 50 outstanding posters and providing early-career researchers with professional feedback and valuable international exposure.
In addition, speakers also shared valuable experiences of successfully translating biomaterial research into clinical and other practical applications, demonstrating how laboratory innovations can be advanced towards clinical practice and highlighting the significant potential of translational research to improve human health.
CUHK, in collaboration with journals in the Nature portfolio, including Nature, Nature Biomedical Engineering, Nature Nanotechnology, and Nature Materials, hosts the world’s first Nature Conferences dedicated to translational biomaterials.
Professor Dennis Lo Yuk-ming, CUHK’s Vice Chancellor and President delivers welcome remarks.
Professor Mao Chuanbin, Chair of the conference, Director of JC STEM Lab of Nature-inspired Precision Medical Engineering and Global STEM Scholar at CUHK’s Department of Biomedical Engineering delivers an opening speech.
Group photo of Nature editors with Conference Chair Professor Mao Chuanbin (3rd right). Chiara Pastore, Senior Editor of Nature Nanotechnology (far left); Jennifer Haskell, Associate Editor of Nature Biomedical Engineering (2nd left); Bruno Castro, Senior Editor of Nature Materials (3rd left); Ali Stoddart, Chief Editor of Nature Materials (2nd right); and Wang Liqian, Senior Editor of Nature (far right).
