On 29th March, the Press Office of the Guangzhou Municipal People’s Government held the 59th session of news briefing on epidemic prevention and control in Guangzhou (featuring the provincial award of science and technology), during which the spotlight was cascaded on laureate scientists: winners of the “Outstanding Contribution Award” including professor Wang Yingjun, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and representatives bestowed with the science and technology award from numerous entities in Guangzhou. Those scientists were made the leading roles in the news briefing and deciphered through their narration the “forerunning codes” of Guangzhou scientific and technological innovation.

During the news briefing, Miguel Esteban, principal investigator of the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the first non-Chinese awardee of the first-prize category of the Guangdong Provincial Natural Science Award, introduced in English his research fruit in the award-conferred project Urine-induced Pluripotent Stem Cells Technology and Somatic Cell Reprogramming Mechanism. Qin Baoming, the secondary role in this project and principal investigator of the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, translated for him.

“It is hoped that more research brains will be rooted in Guangdong.” Miguel Esteban said. Originally from Spain, he came to Guangzhou at the end of 2007 and then started working in the Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences .

When asked what exactly is induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC), he explained that it is a good example to be cited in biology where any cells can be transformed into cells very similar with those in the initial development phase of embryos. These cells are the so-called iPSCs, with tremendous potential in regenerative medicine.

He continued, “We have proved that cells from kidneys identified in the urine are very good resources for the generation of iPSCs. The whole process is non-invasive, applicable to any individual, and the generated iPSCs are of superb quality. ”

Miguel and Qin Baoming from GIBH Attended Guangzhou Municipal Government News Briefing