On April 23,2025, Professor Xiangdong Fu from Westlake University visited IHB. (Credit: IHB)

On April 23,2025, Professor Xiangdong Fu from Westlake University visited the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and delivered an academic lecture titled "Life, Lifespan, and Degenerative Diseases."

Prof. Fu opened his talk by posing a profound biological question: What determines the maximum lifespan of different species, and what underlying rules govern aging and death? Why is the maximum human lifespan about 120 years instead of 1,000 years? Why can a mouse live only 2–3 years despite sharing similar body components with humans, while an elephant can reach 75 years? Based on the free radical theory of aging, Prof. Fu explored the close relationship between aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Prof. Fu’s presentation not only provided new metabolic perspectives for understanding selective neuronal degeneration but also introduced innovative animal models that lay the foundation for developing targeted therapies.

With a clear structure and vivid examples, Prof. Fu transformed complex scientific topics into accessible and engaging content, sparking deep interest among the audience. During the discussion session, participants actively engaged in lively exchanges with Prof. Fu, creating a dynamic academic atmosphere.

Prof. Fu is a distinguished RNA biologist and currently serves as Chair Professor of RNA Biology and Regenerative Medicine at Westlake University.

Prof. Fu received his BS degree in Virology from Wuhan University, China in 1982, PhD degree in Biochemistry from Case Western Reserve University in 1988 (via the CUSBEA program), and postdoctoral training at Harvard from 1988 to 1992. Dr. Fu joined the faculty of University of California, San Diego since 1992 as Assistant Professor of Cellular and Molecular Medicine (1992-1998) and was promoted to Associate Professor (1998-2002), Full Professor (2002-2018), and Distinguished Professor (2018-2022). Dr. Fu joined Westlake University as RNA Biology and Regenerative Medicine Chair Professor in January 2023.

Prof. Fu was responsible for co-discovery of SR proteins, a family of RNA binding proteins involved in constitutive and alternative pre-mRNA processing. His laboratory also discovered a family of kinases specific for SR proteins and demonstrated that these kinases are critical for transducing external and intracellular signals to regulate alternative splicing in the nucleus. Dr. Fu’s research has been centered on understanding the functions of coding and non-coding RNAs in development and disease. His laboratory has also invented multiple technologies for high throughput analysis of gene expression, mRNA isoforms, and genomic interactions. One of their latest breakthroughs is the development of a new cellular reprogramming strategy to generate functional neurons from non-neuronal cells and the application of this approach to reverse the disease phenotype in a Parkinson’s disease model. In his newly established laboratory at Westlake University, he will continue to follow the fields of RNA biology and regenerative medicine and use a battery of molecular biology, biochemical, molecular genetics, functional genomics, animal behavioral, and electrophysical approaches to pursue mechanistic understanding of specific diseases and develop therapeutic strategies.