Fudan sets new scientific standards

Institution's reach has progressed in leaps and bounds, making it a leader in some fields, Zhou Wenting reports in Shanghai.

Started in Shanghai in 2018, the International Human Phenome Consortium has expanded to involve 23 institutions and teams based in 20 countries, including 14 academician-led teams, according to Shanghai-based Fudan University.

This is an indication that the International Human Phenome Project, a major initiative led by Chinese scientists to provide new insight into the analysis of health and disease, has been recognized by a growing number of scientists from around the world.

A phenome is the set of all traits expressed by an organism, cell, tissue or organ. If twins are separated and one grows up in a low-altitude region, while the other grows up in a high-altitude place, they will have totally different phenotypes — not only in appearance, but also in terms of proteins, metabolism and organ function. This is the result of the influence of environmental factors on the phenotype, influences that are closely related to health, disease and longevity.

"At its establishment, the project attracted the participation of 18 top scientists from 14 countries as founding board members, marking the first steps of the international scientific community in this international big science initiative," says Tian Mei, secretary of the IHPC.

"This has also established China's leading capacity and voice in the field," says Tian, who is also the executive president of the university's Human Phenome Institute.