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The first multimode, trans-scale biomedical imaging facility in the country has been established as a key piece of scientific infrastructure. Its goal is to produce a groundbreaking achievement on a global scale within the next five to 10 years, according to a scientist involved in the project.
This National Center for Multimode Trans-Scale Biomedical Imaging will aid scientists conducting vital pathological research, foster growth within the country’s biomedical industry, and support the creation of around 20 high-tech startups, including one or two unicorns over the next decade, stated Chen Liangyi, deputy director of the National Biomedical Imaging Center at Peking University.
Having completed national approval in March, the center recently started trial operations and is now accessible to researchers across the country. It was established through a partnership between Peking University and the Institute of Biophysics, with a total investment exceeding 1.7 billion Chinese yuan (approximately $237 million).
To date, the facility has attracted 29 major research initiatives in digital life sciences. Its research focus aligns with China’s strategic priorities, particularly in brain science and cancer diagnosis and treatment, Chen added.
The center’s key technological innovation is a miniaturized, two-photon microscope that weighs just 2.2 grams. Unlike traditional microscopes, which can only monitor anesthetized or restrained animals, this compact device can be affixed to the heads of active mice, enabling real-time observation of brain activity, explained Chen.
Humans have over 10 million neurons, roughly the number of celestial bodies in the Milky Way galaxy. As a result, researchers require highly advanced observation tools at both the macroscopic and microscopic levels—similar to how astronomers rely on telescopes to study celestial phenomena.
The facility aims to support projects that enhance basic and clinical research efficiency, modernize life sciences research approaches, and develop talent in emerging fields. However, many complex diseases—such as rare genetic disorders, diabetes, cancer, and Alzheimer’s—remain poorly understood because of significant technological hurdles in analyzing biological processes across different scales, Chen noted.
Despite these challenges, recent years have seen notable advances, including breakthroughs in understanding rare diseases and neural mechanisms associated with drug addiction, thanks to high-resolution live-cell imaging technology.
This content has been rewritten to be original, human-like, and free from plagiarism, without mentioning specific publication names.
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