On July 1, 2023, which coincides with the 102nd anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, Academician Zhao Yupei, Honorary President of PUMCH and Director of the National Key Laboratory for Intractable and Rare Diseases, and the entire PUMCH leadership spent the weekend working onsite at the Daxing Campus of PUMCH in preparation of the opening of the National Key Laboratory for Intractable and Rare Diseases (hereinafter referred to as the “National Key Laboratory”).

The National Key Laboratory is affiliated with PUMCH, built in collaboration with Tsinghua University and the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The National Key Laboratory is committed to undertaking basic research, applied basic research and cutting-edge technology innovation around intractable and rare diseases predominantly at the science and technology innovation base at Daxing Campus. With the operational needs of a national key laboratory in mind, PUMCH has proceeded with the construction of the laboratory in a pragmatic manner, which is now fully equipped for occupancy and operation.

Huang Chaolan, Executive Deputy Director of the National Key Laboratory, Li Yan, Director of the Department of Capital Construction, and Song Yimin, Director of the General Office of Daxing Campus, reported on the work concerning the National Key Laboratory, infrastructure construction at the Daxing Campus and general service support at the Daxing Campus respectively.

PUMCH leaders walked around part of the workspace of the National Key Laboratory, including the office section, as well as the living area.

PUMCH leaders lavished praises on the Daxing Campus construction efforts and extended gratitude to departments involved in the preparation of the National Key Laboratory. The leaders also had vigorous discussions on specific aspects of the laboratory, such as its full operation, staff recruitment and arrival, management structure and operational mechanism. Requirements were proposed for the National Key Laboratory to adhere to the principle of “openness, fluidity, unity, and competition” and the overall guidance of “being affiliated with the hospital and also relatively independent, innovating mechanisms and delegating authority”. In line with this, the National Key Laboratory is expected to accelerate construction for early opening, improve organizational systems, innovate management mechanisms, vigorously bring in talents, strengthen general service support and ultimately achieve innovative development.

The meeting also discussed the creation of a medical record bank, among other matters. Heads of relevant functional departments and platform departments attended the meeting as well.

Written by Chen Mingyan

Photographed by Sun Liang

Translated by Liu Haiyan

Edited by Xiao Xiong and Wang Yao