On April 29, 2024, we were pleased to welcome to Shenzhen University (SZU), Prof. Xunbin Wei from the Department of Biomedical Engineering of Peking University. Upon invitation by Prof. Baiying Lei (School of Biomedical Engineering of SZU Medical School), Prof. Xunbin Lei gave the 107^th talk of the Shenzhen University Medicine Forum, titled "From optical non-invasive monitoring of tumor metastasis to optical non-invasive treatment of Alzheimer's disease".

Prof. Baiying Lei presented Prof. Xunbin Wei with the "Shenzhen University Medicine Forum" Honorary Medal

Prof. Xunbin Wei first introduced the research progress of his team in the optical non-invasive monitoring of tumor metastasis. He explained how they leveraged "optical in vivo flow cytometry" technology to achieve the real-time, non-destructive, quantitative detection of circulating tumor cells. This approach avoids blood drawing and can dynamically and continuously monitor the cells of the circulatory system in the same living body for a long time, constituting an important tool for early disease diagnosis (particularly tumor metastasis) and immunoanalysis.

Prof. Xunbin Wei then introduced the application of optical noninvasive technology in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease, explaining how this technology uses light energy to stimulate neurons in the brain to improve cognitive function in Alzheimer's patients. Indeed, Prof. Xunbin Wei’s group are currently exploring the use of specific near-infrared light to treat Alzheimer's disease and have made progress in trials. In this regard, Prof. Xunbin Wei elaborated on the development process and principle of optical noninvasive technology, and its wide application and potential in the medical field. He stressed how this technology is not only highly specific and controllable, but also can avoid the trauma and adverse effects of traditional treatment methods, bringing better treatment results and quality of life for patients.

Prof. Xunbin Wei’s lecture allowed the attending students to understand the latest progress and application of optical noninvasive technology in the medical field and stimulated their interest and enthusiasm for scientific research. At the end of his talk, Prof. Xunbin Wei interacted with the students and answered their insightful questions. He encouraged everyone to continue to pay attention to the development and application of optical non-invasive technology given the great contributions they stand to make to improving human health.

Brief introduction of the Speaker:

Xunbin Wei is a liberal arts professor at Peking University, a National Distinguished Young Scholar, and a SPIE (Society for International Optical Engineering) Fellow. He graduated from the Department of Physics of the University of Science and Technology of China with a bachelor's degree in optoelectronics technology, received a PhD in biophysics from the University of California, Irvine, and engaged in postdoctoral research at Harvard University, before serving as a lecturer at Harvard University. He returned to China in 2006 and served as researcher and vice president of the Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, and professor of the Department of Chemistry. From 2011 to 2019, he served as a distinguished professor at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (School of Biomedical Engineering and MED-X Research Institute) and head of the biomedical instrumentation discipline. He has published more than 90 SCI papers including in journals such as Nature and PNAS, which in total have been cited more than 4,000 times. He has also obtained a national Class III medical device registration certificate and is the author of more than 10 domestic and foreign invention patents. He is currently a Boya Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Interdisciplinary Division of Peking University, Vice President of the Institute for Advanced Study in Clinical Medicine, and Vice President of the Institute of Medical Technology. He is also the chairman of the Biomedical Photonics Branch of the Chinese Society of Biomedical Engineering, deputy chairman of the Laser Medicine Professional Committee of the Chinese Optical Society, and review expert of the Department of Medicine and Department of Informatics of the National Foundation of China. His main research interests lie in optical imaging and tumor manipulation technology, and phototherapy for Alzheimer's disease.