From June 6 to 8, 2025, the 2025 Young Scholars Conference on Ion Channels and Receptors & Forum on Biophysics and Innovative Drug Discovery was held in the Hengqin-Guangdong-Macao Deep Cooperation Zone. The conference was jointly organized by Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) and the Branch of Ion Channels & Receptors, Chinese Neuroscience Society, and co-organized by the MUST Innovation Technology Research Institute. The conference was chaired by Prof. Erwin Neher of MUST and Prof. Wei Yang, Director of Branch of Ion Channels & Receptors, Chinese Neuroscience Society.
The opening ceremony took place on June 7 at the Hyatt Regency Hengqin. Distinguished guests in attendance included Prof. Erwin Neher of MUST, Prof. Liangan Liu, Science and Technology Adviser of the Administrative Committee of the Science and Technology Development Fund, Commissioner Zhuang Liu, Representative of the Livelihood Affairs Bureau of Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, Academician Luyang Wang, Member of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences, Prof. Wei Yang, Director of the Ion Channels and Receptors Branch of the Chinese Neuroscience Society, Prof. Jürgen Hescheler, Director and Chair of the Institute of Neurophysiology at the University of Cologne and guests.
During the ceremony, Chair Prof. Joseph Hun-Wei Lee, Vice Chancellor and President of MUST, delivered a video speech expressing gratitude to the Science and Technology Development Fund for its continued support of MUST and the Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery. He also thanked Prof. Erwin Neher for his invaluable guidance and significant contributions to the development of the biophysics research platform. Finally, he acknowledged all speakers for their contributions and wished the conference a great success. Prof. Wei Yang and Prof. Erwin Neher delivered their welcoming remarks after.
Vice Chancellor and President of MUST, Chari Prof. Joseph Hun-wei LEE delivered speech
Director of Branch of Ion Channels & Receptors, Chinese Neuroscience Society Prof. Wei Yang delivered speech
Prof. Erwin Neher delivered speech
The conference attracted over 260 participants, including renowned scholars and students from Canada, Germany, the United States, and prestigious Chinese institutions such as Tsinghua University, Peking University, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, all engaged in research on ion channels and receptors, biophysics, and innovative drug discovery.
Group photo
Throughout the event, participants shared their latest research findings through invited lectures and poster presentations. Notable speakers included: Prof. Erwin Neher (Germany, 1991 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine), Prof. Bertil Hille (USA, 1999 Lasker Award for Basic Medical Research), Academician Luyang Wang (Canada, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Health Sciences), Prof. Wei Yang (China), Prof. Jürgen Hescheler (Germany), Prof. Stefan Herlitze (Germany), Prof. Stefanie Fenske (Germany), Prof. Guiscard Seebohm (Germany), A total of 46 invited speakers presented cutting-edge advancements in ion channels and receptors, biophysics, and innovative drug discovery, fostering lively discussions and active Q&A sessions. Over 20 thematic posters were displayed, with experts selecting 9 outstanding posters for recognition.
Prof. Bertil Hille presenting
Prof. Jürgen Hescheler presenting
Prof. Stefanie Fenske presenting
The conference concluded at noon on June 8 with closing remarks from Prof. Erwin Neher, who expressed gratitude to the organizers, volunteers, and young scholars for their outstanding contributions. Academician Luyang Wang then shared his vision for the field, emphasizing the vast potential of targeting ion channels and receptors for drug development (including traditional Chinese medicine) and encouraging young researchers to maintain their passion for scientific inquiry. Finally, Prof. Wei Yang, as the conference chair, announced that the 10th Young Scholars Academic Forum on Ion Channels and Receptors would be hosted by Northeast Forestry University in Harbin.
Prof. Erwin Neher concluding with closing remark
Academician Luyang Wang concluding with closing remark
Following the conference, over 30 participants visited the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine and the Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery at MUST to explore research directions and potential collaborations.
Participants visited the laboratories
This conference served as an excellent platform for academic exchange, attracting an increasing number of young scholars from Germany, the United States, Canada, and China specializing in neuroscience, physiology, pharmacology, and biophysics. By facilitating discussions and showcasing the latest research, the event advanced the globalization of ion channel and receptor-based natural drug development and traditional Chinese medicine, strengthened international collaboration, and accelerated progress in the field. It also enhanced the global reputation of the Dr. Neher’s Biophysics Laboratory for Innovative Drug Discovery while promoting rapid developments in ion channel and receptor research and traditional Chinese medicine in Macao.
