A bridge that fuels connection and inspiration - Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative kicks off at ZJU with Michael Young

Michael W. Young, Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine 2017 and American biologist and geneticist, visited Zhejiang University (ZJU) on Dec. 4, as part of the Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative (NPII) 2018 in China.

Professor Young gave a lecture entitled “Genes that control sleep and circadian rhythms”, which attracted more than 400 students and scholars in Qiushi Lecture Hall. In the seminar, he elucidated the function of three important genes—Period, Timeless and Double-time genes in the regulation of circadian rhythms, and introduced some insights in the research of Delayed Sleep Phase Disorder. Professor Young’s lab has dedicated over four decades to research on genetically controlled patterns of sleep and wakefulness at Rockefeller University. He was awarded the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine along with Jeffrey C. Hall and Michael Rosbash "for their discoveries of molecular mechanisms controlling the circadian rhythm". Owing to their efforts, the circadian rhythm has become a dynamic subject with many extensions in the field of chronobiology which has a profound impact on human health and well-beings.

The Q&A session afterwards aroused great enthusiasm and active discussions amongst the audience. Professor Young shared his own research experiences, and discussed about some interesting parts regarding our sleep and wakefulness patterns, and how they might affect our health. “We benefit so much from the lecture, especially the sharing of how he finally succeeded on the journey of research. The discussion session offers us a great change to interact with him face-to-face. It's very inspiring!” said two postgraduate students from ZJU's College of Animal Sciences.

Prior to the lecture, Professor Young engaged with ZJU’s young students and scholars in a round table forum entitled “Being a Scientist”. During the two rounds of discussion, participants posed different questions about science, life and career and exchanged their views with Professor Young. “He has addressed many problems in both research and life our young scholars encounter. I asked him a question about how much the cutting-edge technology means to those new scholars who just graduate. His answer enlightens me a lot and makes me more determined in some ideas of research,” said TONG Junsen, a postdoctoral researcher in ZJU’s College of Life Sciences.

Professor Young offered a piece of advice for young Chinese scientists. “Consider carefully what interests you most and be patient. Take the steps necessary to begin to do research in your own small way.”

ZHANG Kemiao, a sophomore from Quzhou No.2 High School, Zhejiang, who took a four-hour bus trip to attend this event, was very clearly excited that she came to this event. “Although I cannot fully understand his seminar, this gives me a quick tour of the research Professor Young has been working on. It has greatly broadened my vision.”

“It’s very significant to build a bridge between Nobel Prize winners and young scholars and students against the backdrop of integrated technological and economic development,” speaking of the positive influences this event might bring out by WU Zhaohui, ZJU’s president, at the welcome meeting.

Professor Young also addressed the importance of inter-disciplinary interactions, “I think in the coming years human biology has enormous potential, but really maximizing that potential does require close connection in different science fields…I am very happy to interact with some Chinese young scholars face to face, and I hope my experiences can inspire curiosity among the youngsters to explore the unknown and push the scientific frontier.”

It is the sixth time that NPII has been to China since it kicked off in 2011. Professor Young would also visit University of Science and Technology of China in the next day. The Initiative, organized by Nobel Media in partnership with AstraZeneca, is a global program designed to bring Nobel Laureates into closer contact with the worldwide scientific community, especially with young scholars.

Adam Smith, one of the organizers of this event from Nobel Media, greatly appreciated the efforts ZJU made in holding this event and thanked all the youngsters students who participated in this event, “I hope the connection that’s forged today can be furthered elsewhere and in the days to come.”

Reporter: Tao Yuan