[Biomed-X Seminar No. 136] Professor Yongyong Shi from the Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology Shared Molecular Insights into Schizophrenia
On May 23, 2025, the 136th Biomed-X Research Seminar of the Zhejiang University-University of Edinburgh Institute (ZJE) was successfully held in the Room 2A-203. Invited by Dr. Jian Liu, Prof. Yongyong Shi, Acting Director & Senior Principal Investigator of Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology (Institute of Neuroscience), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dean & Distinguished Professor of Bio-X Institutes, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, delivered an academic report titled “Molecular Insights into Schizophrenia: Mechanisms and Implications”. Professor Shi has long been dedicated to the study of molecular mechanisms of mental disorders and has achieved a series of breakthrough results in the field of schizophrenia genetics.Professor Shi first reviewed the key research findings of his team. In 2011, his team published a study in Nature Genetics, identifying two new schizophrenia susceptibility loci in the Chinese Han population. In 2017, they published another study in Nature Genetics, discovering 30 new schizophrenia susceptibility loci through large-scale analysis of 36,180 individuals, increasing the total number of genome-wide significant loci to 113. Professor Shi explained that schizophrenia is a highly heritable disease, with heritability ranging from 70% to 85%, and is characterized by a significant polygenic component. Despite the identification of 113 genome-wide significant loci, these loci only explain about 3.5% of the disease susceptibility, highlighting the highly complex genetic architecture of schizophrenia. Professor Shi also outlined the future directions for research into the molecular mechanisms of schizophrenia, noting that with the continuous increase in sample size and the deepening of multi-ancestry population studies, we can hope to more accurately locate causal variants and identify effector genes, providing a theoretical basis for precision treatment of mental disorders.During the event, faculty and students actively engaged in discussions, demonstrating their open-minded approach to academic exploration and critical thinking about research questions. Prof. Shi patiently and thoroughly answered every question, deepening the understanding and insights of participants in this field.As the 136th session of the Biomed-X Seminar series, this report underscores the institute's commitment to fostering high-level academic exchanges through its academic brand building efforts. The institute will continue to provide a platform for faculty and students to engage in cutting-edge scientific discussions.
2025-06-03