On August 29, the China-Cuba Joint Symposium on Alzheimer's Disease was successfully held in Wenzhou. The symposium was co-organized by Oujiang Lab, the Cuban Neuroscience Center (CNEURO), and the Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM), focusing on Alzheimer's disease mechanisms, translational neuroscience, and drug development. Nearly 200 experts, scholars, and students from Cuba and China—including Cuban experts such as Mitchell Valdes-Sosa, Academician of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and Director of CNEURO; Pedro Valdes-Sosa, Academician of the Cuban Academy of Sciences; and Kalet Monzon Leon, Academician of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and Vice Director of CIM—as well as representatives from Oujiang Lab and Wenzhou Medical University, participated in the event.
Gathering of Scholars, Charting a Blueprint
Academician Song Weihong, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences and Director of Oujiang Lab, delivered the opening speech, introducing the lab’s development strategy and research directions. He also reviewed Oujiang Lab’s recent academic achievements, technological platform development, and progress in the Healthy Aging Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease Research Plan in China (HAPCAD). He emphasized that the symposium marks a new starting point for strategic collaboration and expressed hope that by integrating the strengths of both sides, they can further advance basic and clinical research to improve the health of patients with neurodegenerative diseases and related conditions.
Professor Mitchell Valdes-Sosa highly affirmed the long-standing scientific friendship between the two countries. In his address, he stated that he hopes the symposium will further promote joint research efforts, the establishment of collaborative laboratories, and other cooperative initiatives, deepening scientific exchange and ensuring that the outcomes benefit the people of both nations.
The opening ceremony was hosted by Wang Yi, Deputy Director of Oujiang Lab.
Engaging Academic Presentations
The academic session was moderated by Cong Weitao, Assistant Director of Oujiang Lab.
8位来自瓯江实验室、古巴神经科学中心、古巴分子免疫学中心以及温州医科大学神经科学领域专家分别围绕机制研究、临床应用、医疗技术未来展望等多个方面做了精彩的学术报告，并围绕古巴方目前重点推进的具有治疗阿尔茨海默病潜力的候选药物进行了深入探讨。
参观交流 共谋发展
研讨会结束后，与会代表参观了实验室主体园区、生物医学大数据智算中心、冷冻电镜中心、医学科学大设施及核心实验区，详细了解瓯江实验室在科研成果产出以及平台建设方面的先进经验做法，对瓯江实验室高效的建设发展速度以及完备的科研条件支持给予了高度赞誉。
Discussion Session: Exploring Collaboration
At the subsequent symposium, Director Song Weihong welcomed the visit of the Cuban delegation and introduced the relevant situation and latest progress of the Oujiang Laboratory's achievement transformation. At the meeting, both parties discussed in detail the establishment of a joint transformation research center for Alzheimer's disease and neurodegenerative diseases between China and Cuba, and reached a consensus on future cooperation in joint scientific research, doctoral talent training, and achievement transformation.
Gathered by Research, Promoting Cooperation Through Exchange
That afternoon, participants visited the International Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research and Prevention (ICARPT) and geriatric wards, where they exchanged views on innovative "lab-to-clinic" collaboration models and spoke highly of the approach.
The following morning, the delegation visited the Geriatrics Research Institute of Wenzhou Medical University. They engaged in in-depth discussions on clinical research, talent development, and scientific collaboration in neurodegenerative diseases, further broadening prospects for cooperation in Alzheimer’s prevention and translational research.
Looking Ahead: Writing a New Chapter Together
The symposium and series of visits represent a significant step in deepening collaboration between Oujiang Lab, CNEURO, and CIM. Moving forward, both sides will use the joint translational research center as a new starting point to continuously improve cooperation mechanisms and actively promote personnel exchanges, resource sharing, and project collaboration. In the next phase, Chinese and Cuban research teams plan to jointly apply for international projects addressing key scientific questions in Alzheimer’s and related neurodegenerative diseases, organize regular academic exchanges, coordinate technological breakthroughs, and accelerate the clinical translation and application of research outcomes.
This exchange not only enhanced mutual understanding in the field of neuroscience but also laid a solid foundation for long-term, stable, and efficient collaboration, contributing meaningfully to the global fight against neurodegenerative diseases.
