Editor’s Note: Innovation is the primary driving force for development and a key component of new quality productivity that the nation is advocating. In medicine, particularly in preventing and treating infectious diseases, how can the energy of new quality productivity be better harnessed to drive more medical breakthroughs? At the "National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases 2024 Annual Meeting and the 15th Tuberculosis Oriental Forum," Dr. Hongzhou Lu, President of Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital, delivered a remarkable presentation titled New Quality Productivity and Translational Research. In an interview with Infectious Diseases Frontier, he shared insights into how Shenzhen Third People's Hospital is driving translational research through new quality productivity.1. Understanding New Quality Productivity in Medicine: Key Scientific and Technological Innovations in Infectious Disease Prevention
Professor Lu explains, “Across human history, breakthrough developments in every field have been driven by innovative technology, especially ‘zero-to-one’ innovations that lead to revolutionary changes.” In medicine, continuous innovation is vital for technological advancements, and new quality productivity plays a crucial role. As life sciences research deepens, the intersection of clinical medicine, public health, basic science, pharmacology, biomedical engineering, artificial intelligence, and big data has intensified. This interdisciplinary approach has led to rapid developments in diagnosing and treating infectious diseases, as well as in monitoring, predicting, and preventing emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
In tuberculosis (TB) prevention, for instance, the disease remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite significant medical advancements, diagnosing TB remains challenging; about 40% of TB infections cannot be directly detected. To address this, the team at Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital developed a highly specific, sensitive, and rapid TB diagnostic method using aggregation-induced emission probes with metabolic labeling and photodynamic antibacterial functions to detect intracellular TB bacteria (Bioscience Trends, 2023). This method can achieve more than 95% diagnostic accuracy and 100% specificity, providing crucial support for subsequent treatment and prevention.
However, TB drug resistance remains a major challenge. Fortunately, teams including Academician Zihe Rao are working to identify new drug targets for drug-resistant TB. These new drugs may significantly reduce treatment durations for drug-resistant TB from over a year to as little as four to six months. For drug-sensitive TB, treatment could be shortened from six months to just two months. Such innovations in diagnostics and therapeutics offer hope for achieving the global goal of ending the TB epidemic.
2. Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital’s Strategic Focus on Discipline Development: Strengthening Core Areas and Addressing Weaknesses
According to Professor Lu, Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital is located at the forefront of innovation in the Greater Bay Area and is the city’s only Grade-A tertiary hospital specializing in infectious diseases. The hospital not only excels in infectious disease treatment but is also committed to the comprehensive development of various disciplines. Severe infectious diseases like COVID-19 can cause multi-organ damage, underscoring the importance of multidisciplinary care.
The hospital’s vision is to build a “government-medical-industrial-academic-research” integrated infectious disease prevention system and become a leading domestic and world-class research-oriented hospital. The hospital’s “Three Pillars” strategy aims to strengthen core disciplines while cultivating emerging specialties. The three key areas are:
- Infectious and Communicable Diseases: As a National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, the hospital continues to focus on innovative management of infectious diseases, including integrating epidemic and routine care.
- Organ Transplantation: The hospital is recognized for its expertise in liver and kidney transplantation and has recently expanded into lung transplantation, having completed 11 procedures this year. The new hospital wing will be dedicated to organ transplantation, basic research, and translational studies.
- Tumor Biotherapy: Cellular therapies like CAR-T for hematological and some solid tumors offer patients alternatives to traditional radiation and chemotherapy, signaling the future of medicine.
The multidisciplinary development strategy has fostered a collaborative growth environment, with different departments advancing in tandem. The emphasis on core disciplines drives continuous improvements across the hospital.
3. Translational Research in the Greater Bay Area: Innovation and Results
Professor Lu notes that Shenzhen’s strategic position as a reform and innovation hub has made it a fertile ground for translational research in biomedicine. Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital leverages its favorable conditions to accelerate the application of new technologies. One notable achievement is the development of the world’s first non-contact pulse oximeter, which uses a small camera to monitor vital signs like heart rate, blood pressure, and blood oxygen levels. This technology has potential applications in home care for elderly individuals living alone, as it can quickly detect falls and other emergencies, enabling rapid response. The device is already being implemented in nursing homes and healthcare facilities.
Additionally, Shenzhen’s strong research foundation and industrial base enabled the successful development of a domestic ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) system, addressing the country’s reliance on imported equipment. Under the hospital’s leadership, clinical research facilitated the approval of the domestic ECMO in January 2023, marking a significant step in China’s high-end medical device sector.
Other notable innovations include self-sampling and automated rapid testing devices, the development of novel small-molecule drugs and vaccines, and research on functional cures for HIV. These achievements demonstrate the advantages of an integrated research, industry, and market approach, propelling the growth of domestic medical technology.
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