JinanUniversityStudentsWin2Goldand2SilverAwardsat National Medical Innovation Finals

August16–18,Jinan— The11thNationalMedicalInnovationCompetitionforUniversity  Students  and    the    concurrent   "Belt   and    Road"    InternationalCompetition concluded  successfully  at  Shandong  University.   Co-hosted  by  the National Medical Innovation Competition Committee for College Students, this year's finals featured unprecedented scale, drawing over 4,000 faculty and students from 20l universities  across   l0  countries—a  vibrant  showcase  of  global   medical  youth innovation and the fruits of medical education reform.

Jinan  University  students  distinguished  themselves  through   outstanding  research innovation   capabilities,   solid   professional    foundations,   and   composed   on-site performance, ultimately  securing 2  Gold  Awards,  2  Silver  Awards,  and  1  Best PresentationAward. Jinan University also received theOutstandingOrganization Award.

The National Medical Innovation Competition stands among China's most influential platforms for cultivating medical students' innovative spirit and practical capabilities. This remarkable  achievement not  only highlights the  excellence  of Jinan  medical faculty and  students but  also  demonstrates the University's  significant progress  in entrepreneurship and innovation education reform and the cultivation of outstanding medical professionals.

Gold Award Projects

1. Targeting Macrophage PKM2 for Ulcerative Colitis Treatment through Enhanced   Intestinal   Mucosal   Repair  Category:   Basic   Clinical   Sciences   — InnovativeResearchPrincipalInvestigator:Chen HaoxianTeamMembers:Ji Ziyi, Cui Yiming, Liu Junli, Zhao PeixinSupervisor:Professor Hong Jian

Incomplete  mucosal  healing  represents  a  critical  driver  of ulcerative  colitis  (UC) progression and relapse, with macrophage metabolic reprogramming and phenotypic switching  playing  central  roles.  This  project  identifies  macrophage  PKM2  as  a therapeutic target, demonstrating that its modulation induces reparative macrophage polarization, promotes intestinal stem cell regeneration, and restores epithelial barrier integrity—offering a novel clinical strategy for UC management.

2.The MacrophagePKM2-SPP1 AxisinPromoting Biliary ReactioninPrimary Sclerosing Cholangitis Category: Basic Clinical Sciences — Innovative DesignPrincipalInvestigator:Bai Hao Team  Members: Hu Bo, Lin Yuchen, Nie  Su, Zhang GuochengSupervisor:Professor Hong Jian

Primary  sclerosing  cholangitis  (PSC)  is  an  autoimmune  cholestatic  liver  disease characterized by biliary reaction, with high malignant transformation potential and complex   pathogenesis    lacking    effective    therapies.    This   project    investigates macrophage PKM2 expression and function in PSC, elucidating the PKM2-SPP1 axis mechanism in regulating biliary reaction—providing novel theoretical insights into macrophage-mediated PSC progression.

Silver Award Projects

1.Mechanical  Sensing  byIntestinalL  Cells  Regulates  Glycemic  Control  and Hepatic Lipid Metabolism via GLP-1 Category: Basic Clinical Sciences — InnovativeDesignPrincipalInvestigator:Wu  Shaohong Team  Members:Deng Handan, Liao Yuqi, Zhao Yuhang, Zang YufeiSupervisor:Professor Xu Geyang

This project addresses glucose regulation mechanisms in Type 2 diabetes, identifying intestinal L cell Piezo1 as a mechanosensor that perceives gut mechanical stimulation, activates the CaMKKβ/CaMKIV-mTORC1 signaling cascade, and enhances GLP- 1 secretion to maintain glycemic homeostasis—establishing new mechanistic insights and potential therapeutic targets for Type 2 diabetes intervention.

2.    SYK-Driven    Actin   Cytoskeleton    Remodeling    in    Cholangiocarcinoma Metastasis and Targeted Intervention  Category: Basic   Clinical Sciences — Innovative Research Principal Investigator: Luo  Xiaoyu Team Members: Liu

Lihao, Gao YiyangSupervisor:Professor Yao Nan

This   project    reveals    that   the    immune    regulatory    kinase    SYK    promotes cholangiocarcinoma   metastasis   through    cofilin   phosphorylation-mediated    actin cytoskeleton  remodeling.  Building  upon  this  mechanistic  understanding,  the  team engineered   a   cholesterol-conjugated   heteroduplex    oligonucleotide   (HDO)    that exploits     the     cancer     cells'      high     cholesterol     uptake     as      a     metabolic vulnerability—transforming the cancer's own metabolic weakness into a therapeutic weapon and offering innovative targeted treatment strategies for cholangiocarcinoma.