Academician Zhong Nanshan was giving a lecture to undergraduates of Nankai University

On April 8, “Medical Frontiers and Challenges”, a general elective course of Nankai University, welcomed Prof. Zhong Nanshan, a famous respiratory specialist, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and the holder of the Medal of the Republic (the highest honor of the country). Prof. Cao Xuetao, President of Nankai University presided over the lecture and over 200,000 audiences took the course online.

With the theme of “Fighting COVID-19 Pandemic with Scientific Guidance”, Zhong Nanshan talked about the current pandemic prevention and control policies as well as scientific innovation and talent training. 

After introducing the characteristics of Delta variant and Omicron variant, Zhong Nanshan put forward the integrated strategy of “PROTECT” for the prevention and control of COVID-19 pandemic. The major measures of the strategy includes: building pandemic prediction model; promoting the vaccination rate and R&D of universal vaccine; insisting on the policy of “antigen screening, nucleic acid diagnosis”; speeding up the R&D of COVID-19 medicines and antibodies; reducing the risk of sequelae by multidisciplinary rehabilitation intervention; building an integrated prevention and control mode of hospitals and communities; transforming from disease-centered to health-centered.

As for vaccination, Zhong Nanshan said that vaccine immunogenicity analysis at the lab indicates that when a xenogeneic vaccine is inoculated after two doses of inactivated vaccine, the antibody level and specific CD4+ (RBD peptide library stimulation) activity in blood serum of inoculator is higher than those who inoculated with three doses of inactivated vaccine. “Based on this results, I was inoculated ZFSW’s recombinant protein 2019-nCoV vaccine as the third dose.” Zhong Nanshan said that xenogeneic vaccine is recommended as the sequential vaccination according to the national strategy of “dynamic zero-COVID” and the objective to reduce the rate of severe cases and mortality. 

In light of the cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, Zhong Nanshan emphasized that innovation derives from curiosity as well as the pioneering spirit and sense of mission. Based on his experience of fighting against SARS 19 years ago, Zhong Nanshan said, “Authoritative opinions are not always correct and it is one’s own practice and observation that are reliable.” Also through sharing his experience of over 30 years’ PTS research, Zhong Nanshan emphasized that innovation requires persistent pursuit and cooperation, and the R&D of medicine and technology should in line with the national conditions.

While presiding over the lecture, President Cao Xuetao said, “Prof. Zhong Nanshan has set a good example to us. I believe today’s lecture will deeply inspire you on learning, choosing career and shouldering responsibilities.”

Prof. Zhong’s lecture is the fourth lecture of the “Medical Frontiers and Challenges” series of course, which was initiated by President Cao Xuetao and include 12 lectures all given by academicians. The course offers undergraduates medical science knowledge with straightaway examples based on the academicians’ working experience, and teach young students new ideas and cutting-edge technologies in the field of medicine.

(Edited and translated by Nankai News Team)