The 19th Chinese Biophysics Congress opened on July 24 in Hefei, capital of East China’s Anhui Province. 

With the theme of “biophysics and human health”, the congress covered 30-odd academic topics, including biological macromolecules, single molecule biology, cryo-electron microscopy and metabolic biology. 

The congress acted as an opportunity for academic peers from both home and abroad to exchange views and establish mutual cooperation. It also promoted in-depth research and rapid development of biophysical sciences in China.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Zhang Hong, secretary general of the Biophysical Society of China (BSC) and researcher of the Institute of Biophysics (IBP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

CAS academician Rao Zihe, also honorary president of the BSC and president of the Tianjin Science and Technology Association, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony. 

In his speech, Rao said that the congress has played an important role in facilitating the development of biophysics and improving communications of research scientists.

In recent years, it has developed a variety of featured activities, including the Forum for Women Scientists and the Forum on Innovation and Entrepreneurship, which are conducive to broadening the minds of research scientists, especially young ones.

Rao also mentioned the close tie between the BSC and the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). He believed that, with close cooperation and communication, both sides would jointly cultivate talents and further promote disciplinary evolution. 

At the opening, Xu Ruiming, vice-president of the BSC and director of the IBP said that the congress provided a platform for the exchanges of innovative ideas and advanced technologies. He believed that more scientific workers would be able to express themselves and display latest research achievements based on this platform. 

CAS academician Du Jiangfeng, also vice-president and member of the Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China USTC Committee welcomed all the guests and delegates in his speech and anticipated that the attendees would learn a lot from the congress.

Winners of the 7th Shitsan Pai Award were also announced at the congress. 

CAS academician Shi Yunyu won the Shitsan Pai Outstanding Contribution Award, the highest prize in the field of biophysics in China. Huang Xiaoshuai, an assistant professor from Peking University and Wang Quan, a researcher from Shanghai Tech University, won the Shitsan Pai Award for Young Biophysicists. 

Shi Yunyu (C) receives the Shitsan Pai Outstanding Contribution Award during the 19th Chinese Biophysics Congress held in Hefei on July 24. 

Huang Xiaoshuai (L2) and Wang Quan (R2) receive the Shitsan Pai Award for Young Biophysicists during the 19th Chinese Biophysics Congress held in Hefei on July 24.

The congress also established several academic venue branches, inviting outstanding representatives from multiple fields to give reports. 

CAS academicians Shi Yunyu from the USTC, Sui Senfang from Tsinghua University, Yan Xiyun from the IBP, Bian Xiuwu form the Army Medical University and Dong Chen from the School of Medicine of Shanghai Jiao Tong University attended the opening ceremony. 

The 19th Chinese Biophysics Congress was broadcast online via livestreaming platforms. On its first day, the cloud opening ceremony and the online interaction attracted 127,000 viewers. It was highly praised as a multi-dimensional and all-platform science popularization activity.