On January 20, 2024, the grand finale of the first Translational Medicine Potential Assessment hosted by the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College concluded successfully. Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH) won one first prize, two second prizes, one third prize, and two excellent prizes, and the first prize for excellent organization. These prizes are a testament to what PUMCH has achieved in promoting innovation in medical science and technology and translational medicine.

Introduction to Award-winning Projects

Core technologies for precision diagnosis and minimally invasive interventions of fundus diseases

Precision and targeted drug administration into intraocular functional tissue space is a cutting-edge technology for treating fundus diseases in the past decade. The medical-engineering integrated team led by Zhao Chan from the Department of Ophthalmology, PUMCH, for the first time in the world, worked out how to mechanically enable injection with micron-level precision; they developed internationally pioneering innovative medical devices such as a new resistance-induced device for suprachoroidal space injection, and a new device for draining aqueous humor from suprachoroidal space to treat glaucoma. These inventions hold the potential for establishing a new treatment paradigm for minimally invasive intraocular interventions.

Research on precision diagnosis and treatment strategies for autoimmune rheumatic diseases

This project aims to address challenges in the diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune rheumatic diseases, such as the lack of diagnostic biomarkers, difficulties in predicting and preventing significant organ damage, limited treatment options, and significant side effects. The project explores the development of precision diagnosis and treatment strategies through the building of risk prediction models, exploration of molecular biomarkers and drug targets, drug screening and evaluation, and other research efforts, aiming ultimately to benefit patients and their families. Currently, two patents have been granted, two clinical prediction models have been developed, and seven drug screening models have been established.

Development and application of natural materials for traumatic/burn tissue repair

This project aims to address the bottlenecks in wound healing and tissue regeneration for acute and chronic trauma, burns, and other injuries, in response to the fact that existing tissue repair methods or medical devices are unable to address challenges like the regeneration of skin appendages and vascular systems. For the first time internationally, the PUMCH team developed a new type of tissue-engineered biomimetic skin, enabling rapid and extensive wound repair, regeneration of hair follicles, sweat glands, and blood vessels, and the reduction of inflammation and scar formation. This approach reproduces physiologically and functionally normal skin. The subsequent steps are marketing and mass production of the product.

Automated surgical robot for pulp therapy - Driving intelligent dentistry

Root canal therapy, as the preferred treatment method, is difficult to master, which is aggravated by the shortage of endodontics. Thus most patients can’t get prompt treatment. This project developed a new technology for root canal therapy, primarily depends on erbium laser acitivated irrigation, which improved traditional treatment logic. By developing automated robots for root canal therapy, the team aims to achieve automated and minimally invasive treatment, reduce complications, and lower the technical barriers. The ultimate goal is to satisfy the large number of patients with pulp disease in the future.

Development of early diagnostic kit for SLE-PAH

Systemic lupus erythematosus-associated pulmonary arterial hypertension (SLE-PAH) is characterized by insidious onset, high mortality, and poor prognosis. Based on a large-scale SLE-PAH cohort from PUMCH, the project team established a standardized closed-loop research model encompassing “cutting-edge omics technology development - integrated analysis of multi-omics data - biological functional validation - development of disease biomarkers”. The project aims to ultimately develop innovative early diagnostic biomarkers based on patients’ clinical and molecular characteristics.

A series of devices for distal radial artery puncture and hemostasis

The radial artery is currently the main access for coronary artery interventional diagnosis and treatment. However, the puncture is associated with various complications, such as a high rate of radial artery occlusion up to 33%. As a new alternative access, distal radial artery puncture has gradually gained traction and has been implemented in multiple centers. However, it comes with new challenges in terms of postoperative hemostasis and intraoperative hand immobilization. This project aims to address these challenges by developing specialized hemostasis devices and auxiliary puncture devices. In the process of that, the project has been granted three utility models. Through collaboration with companies, the testing and examination needed has been completed. The project is currently applying for registration certificates so that the research outcomes can be applied to clinical practices and benefit patients as early as possible.

Written by award-winning teams

Edited by Wang Jingxia

Translated by Liu Haiyan

Reviewed by Zhang Xia, Jiang Nan, Wang Mu, Wu Wei, and Wang Yao