Fudan University, building on its past success in hosting various summer programs, will launch an International Summer School of Life Sciences in 2024 to provide a dynamic and enriching scientific platform for outstanding graduate and undergraduate students and postdoctoral fellows from all over the world.

By fostering international academic exchange and communication, the program seeks to create a vibrant community of scholars dedicated to advancing the frontiers of life sciences. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of life sciences against the backdrop of Fudan's picturesque campus and embark on a journey of academic excellence with an array of cutting-edge courses and engage in thrilling scientific endeavors. Join fellow students from across the globe in forging lifelong connections and discovering the boundless opportunities in this dynamic field.

Introduction

The significance of life sciences has never been more pronounced in the 21st century. The new era has seen constant progress in life sciences, and its relevance has been increasingly emphasized as the engine of economic and social progress. "The New Era of Life Sciences" summer school spotlights the groundbreaking fields of RNA biology and neurobiology. It also incorporates state-of-the-art research in areas such as big data and artificial intelligence. With three meticulously crafted course modules: RNA biology, neurobiology, and evolutionary and computational biology, students are empowered to embark on a journey of discovery and innovation.

Hosted by Fudan University, organized by the School of Life Sciences, the State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, and the National Advanced Talent Student Training Center in Biology, the International Summer School will be held on the Jiangwan campus of Fudan University from July 22 to Aug 9. It will provide a world-class learning environment for outstanding students focusing on globalization, new frontiers, and interdisciplinary integration and collaboration.

Over 20 internationally renowned scholars at the forefront of their fields and with extensive teaching experience are invited to lecture at the summer school. The summer school will select and invite 150 outstanding students from applicants around the world. The course will be held in English on the most up-to-date and popular topics in their respective fields. There will be oral and poster presentations and networking during the course and top students will be awarded.

In addition, participants will have the unique opportunity to foster academic connections and deepen their understanding of the cultural landscape through the summer schools' city tours and cultural excursions together with a variety of extracurricular activities, such as visits to high-tech biological enterprises, the Shanghai Natural History Museum, the iconic Nanjing Road Walkway, the enchanting ancient town of Xitang, and other exciting destinations.

Course description

Module 1: RNA Biology

This module brings together leading international scholars including Professor Dinshaw Patel, Professor Gao Shaorong, Professor Pan Duojia, Professor He Chuan, Professor Fu Xiangdong, Professor Li Jin, Professor Chen Lingling, and Professor Qi Yijun, who are experts in the fields of cells and development, RNA structure, modification, splicing and editing, circular RNA, and plant non-coding RNA. This course covers cutting-edge areas of RNA biology, including the structure and function of RNA in various biological processes, frontier technologies in RNA modification and editing, and their functions and mechanisms across diverse biological and disease processes, as well as the generation and processing of non-coding RNA and circular RNA, along with the unique mechanisms of their biological functions and translational applications in disease therapy.

Module 2: Neurobiology

This module invites top international scholars including Professor Luo Liqun, author of the famous textbook Principles of Neurobiology, neurobiologist Professor Rao Yi, and Professor Yuan Junying, a renowned scientist in the field of neurodegenerative diseases and cell death. The course focuses on neurodevelopment, neurophysiology, and neurological diseases. The lectures address various cutting-edge fields of neurobiology, from neural cell differentiation and development to the formation and function of neural circuits; from the frontier technologies in neuroscience to the mechanisms of important neural functions such as memory, sleep, and vision; from the molecular mechanisms and structural biology of protein misfolding to their involvement in neurodegenerative diseases.

Module 3: Evolution and Computational Biology

This module brings together distinguished international scholars, including Professor Mark Stoneking, Professor Philip A. Beach, Professor Jin Li, Professor Wu Chung-I, Professor Long Manyuan, Professor Axel Meyer, Professor Gu Xun, Professor Wang Ting, Professor Yang Jian, and Professor Xu Shuhua. Their research covers a range of areas on human evolution, molecular and genome evolution, speciation, the origin of genes, human population genetics and evolution, and computational biology. The course focuses on molecular evolution and computational biology based on big data science and artificial intelligence, covering various topics including human evolution, the origin of new genes, big data informatics in genetics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, and scientific computing.

The courses are meticulously designed, offering valuable opportunities for students worldwide. The summer school invites world-class distinguished scholars to lecture and introduce the latest advances in their respective fields. Through learning and discussion, students can experience the research ideas and significant discoveries of renowned scholars up close, witness their expertise, and understand the extraordinary journeys of important scientific exploration. It aims to guide students on learning how to formulate scientific questions, master research methods in biological sciences, ignite their research interests, enhance their research capacities, and establish a solid foundation for their future academic careers.

Registration

1. Qualifications

Qualified applicants must be outstanding undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows in life sciences-related fields from all over the world.

2. Tuition & fees

Tuition is free and provides free meals for school activities. Transportation and accommodation fees are not included.

Scholarship: The summer school program will select 20 exceptional students and provide scholarships to help offset travel and accommodation expenses.

3. Application materials

>Passport photocopy (personal information page)

>Personal photo

>Transcript

>One reference letter

>CV

Applicants from non-English teaching schools must provide proof of English proficiency, such as scores of TOEFL, GRE, IELTS, or CET 4 and CET 6.

4. How to apply

Applicants have the flexibility to choose from the following course units: RNA Biology and Neurobiology (July 22-Aug 4) or Evolutionary & Computational Biology (Aug 5-9), or both units (July 22-Aug 9). Fudan University will issue a certificate of study for students who have completed the study of the selected courses.

Overseas applicants please sign up and log in to https://istudent.fudan.edu.cn/apply.

There are two ways to find the programs:

First, click on " Personal Application", then click on "Senior Advanced Student", and search "Fudan International Summer School- Life Sciences 2024". Please fill out the online registration form and upload the required materials.

The other way is to enter "129306" in the quick channel.

The university will follow up with admitted international students by mail about course selection and hotel reservations.

Native applicants: please log in to http://register.fudan.edu.cn/（Google Chrome is recommended）

Deadline: May 5, Beijing time.

The first batch of offers will be sent out by email or by logging into the system to check by May 10.

5. Contact information

Mrs. Dai

Phone: 021-31246510

E-mail: yqdai@fudan.edu.cn

Mrs. Wang

Phone: 021-31246512

Email: wangshiming@fudan.edu.cn

Source: fiss-lifesci.fudan.edu.cn