On April 26, Liu Depei, a graduate of Xiangya’s Class of '78 and an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, as well as the director of the National Key Laboratory of Major Diseases, brought a delegation from the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the School of Basic Medicine of Peking Union Medical College to Xiangya School of Medicine for an exchange visit. Chen Lizhang, Vice President of Central South University, Liu Jing, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Life Sciences, and members of the leadership team of Xiangya School of Medicine attended the exchange activities.

Academician Liu Depei delivered a captivating lecture titled “Exploring the Mechanisms of Disease for Life and Health” in the library lecture hall. Faculty and students actively participated, with the venue packed to capacity. Over 200 people from various medical colleges, affiliated hospitals, researchers, and medical students attended the lecture. Academician Liu elucidated the rich connotations of “Great Medicine, Big health, and Overall Well-being” (Comprehensive Healthcare), explained the research purposes of health medicine, introduced the basic concepts of systems biology and epigenomics, and focused on the current frontier research and the relationship between aging and various diseases. He encouraged young researchers and students to link their personal growth with the country's development, seize greater opportunities for personal development while contributing to the country, dare to challenge themselves, continuously update their knowledge, and always aim for the future. After the lecture, Academician Liu had an in-depth and free exchange with the faculty and students, all of whom expressed great benefit from the interaction.

Before the lecture, Academician Liu Depei and his delegation visited the Emergency Response Virtual Simulation Laboratory for Public Health Emergencies at Xiangya School of Public Health, the XR Virtual Broadcasting Room at Xiangya School of Nursing, the Situational Simulation Training Room at the Nursing Training Center, and the 3D Virtual Situational Nursing Comprehensive Training Room. Academician Liu personally experienced these facilities. The delegation also visited theHistorical Museum of Xiangya School of Medicine. Academician Liu expressed his satisfaction with Xiangya's development, stating that he could feel the vigorous vitality of Xiangya's potential. He believed that with the joint efforts of all faculty and students, Xiangya will continue to inherit its excellent traditions, continuously innovate, cultivate more outstanding talents for the country, and make greater contributions to the cause of human health.

Academician Liu Depei studied biochemistry at Hunan Medical College (now Xiangya School of Medicine of Central South University) from 1978 to 1981 and obtained a master’s degree. In 1996, he was elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering. He has been mainly engaged in research on gene expression regulation, gene therapy, and the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases. In his long medical career, Academician Liu has not only made outstanding contributions to the development of China’s medical cause but has also developed a unique teaching method in education.

(First Reviewer: Li Ruijun, Second Reviewer: Liu Zhisheng, Third Reviewer: Huang Gengwen)