G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) are among the most important “signal receivers” in the human body, translating the external stimuli into internal signals that govern sensation, mood, cardiovascular function and metabolism. These seven–transmembrane-helix proteins are also pharma favorites. More than a third of marketed drugs act by nudging GPCR activity. But many therapies still aim at a familiar target region: the orthosteric pocket where natural ligands bind, and that approach can strugg...

On March 15, Zhejiang University officially launched the Institute of Global Development (IGD) on Zijingang Campus, marking a new step in its efforts to support sustainable development and strengthen international cooperation. The IGD was established to help advance the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Global Development Initiative, address major bottlenecks in global development, bring together insights and resources from a wide range of stakeholders, and promote shared develo...

A road connects the East and the West and links the past and the present. More than a route traced on the map, the Silk Roads have long been an epic road of mutual learning among civilizations. Today, that ancient corridor has gained a new landmark.On the afternoon of February 1, the UNESCO Chair on Silk Roads Heritage was officially unveiled at the Zhejiang University Museum of Art and Archaeology. Scholars and guests from China and abroad gathered to witness this milestone moment — one that br...

“China’s medicine has moved from being a follower to becoming a leader.” “We hope more people around the world will see, use, and benefit from Chinese standards and Chinese technology.” “Exchanging ideas with our Chinese counterparts has been truly delightful.”Hosted in the Chinese mainland for the first time, the Asia Pacific Medical Education Conference 2026 (APMEC 2026), jointly organized by the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine at the National University of Singapore and the Internation...

How can we accelerate energy transition while ensuring fairness in technological cooperation, so that global carbon neutrality can be effectively achieved? How can the international community forge shared understanding, shoulder shared responsibilities, and together create a green future for a community with a shared future for mankind?These questions of our era are calling for the wisdom and action of young people worldwide. In response, the Global Sustainable Challenge was born. Launched joint...

Batteries power modern life. Yet not all batteries store electricity. Some store heat.Long before lithium-ion batteries, humans already used thermal energy storage. Ancient ice cellars preserved ice for summer use, while modern water heaters store hot water for later demand. These are all early examples of what scientists now call thermal batteries, systems that store heat and release it when needed.Among today’s most promising designs are phase-change thermal batteries, which store heat using ...

In Chinese tradition, a “knot” embodies both practical know-how and deep philosophical meaning. Today, that ancient wisdom has inspired a scientific leap at Zhejiang University (ZJU), one that promises to solve a long-standing global challenge in minimally invasive surgery: the loss of tactile sensation, often described as “force blindness.”A multidisciplinary ZJU team has developed a simple yet ingenious solution—a slipknot-based structure that restores force perception without electronics....

As we bid farewell to 2025, we look back with pride on a year marked by transformative achievements, cutting-edge innovations, and deepened collaborations within the Zhejiang University community and across the world. From academic breakthroughs to expanded global partnerships, each milestone has underscored our shared commitment to excellence and tangible impact. As we step into 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to advancing the frontiers of knowledge, building meaningful partnerships, and colle...

At 10:30 p.m., just as the main library of ZJU was about to close, a clear chime echoed from deep within the sixth-floor stacks. Leaning against the railing stood DU Liniang with her flowing sleeves, while Romeo’s whispers intertwined with Juliet’s soft replies. This was not a dream, but an immersive performance of A Night in the Guantong Hall unfolding inside the library.As part of Zhejiang University’s “Symphony of Time and Space: Cross-Era Dialogues Between Chinese and Western C...

Allergies are usually regarded as a nuisance. Sneezing fits triggered by pollen or rashes caused by shellfish reflect an immune system that reacts too fast and too strongly to harmless substances. Yet this rapid and intensive immune reaction has now inspired a novel approach to cancer treatment.Researchers in China report a strategy that deliberately redirects allergic immune responses against tumors. By training mast cells — the immune system’s key drivers of allergy — to recognize cancer cell...