Guilin, China—Researchers at Guangxi Normal University (GXNU) are launching two pioneering projects to develop next-generation cancer therapies and environmental sensors, backed by significant national research grants. The work represents a potent blend of traditional knowledge, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge material science.
The two teams, led by senior professors Liang Hong and Chen Wei, have each secured a Key Project grant from China's National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC) Regional Innovation and Development Joint Fund. The awards, valued at approximately 2.57 million yuan (about $355,000 USD) per project over four years, will fuel ambitious research with potential global impact.
The following table summarizes the core focus of each funded project:
Principal Investigator | Project Focus & Key Strategy | Potential Impact |
Professor Liang Hong | Novel Metal-Based Drugs for Cancer: Integrating AI with active compounds from Guangxi's medicinal herbs to design new chemoimmunotherapy agents. | Creating a new blueprint for designing targeted cancer therapies. |
Professor Chen Wei | Advanced Gas Sensors: Developing ultra-sensitive VOC detectors using novel cluster-based materials and interface designs. | Enabling breakthroughs in environmental monitoring and industrial safety. |
Professor Liang Hong's team is pursuing a unique herbal-AI-metal strategy to fight cancer. They will use artificial intelligence to model how active ingredients from Guangxi's traditional medicinal plants can be optimally combined with metals to create new drugs. This approach aims to unlock novel pathways in chemoimmunotherapy, a promising frontier in cancer treatment.
This research builds a bridge between a rich herbal legacy and the future of precision medicine, said Professor Liang Hong, a former president of GXNU and an acclaimed researcher with over 500 scientific publications.
Engineering a Super-Sniffer for Environmental Safety
In a separate lab, Professor Chen Wei's team is tackling air quality. They aim to construct a new generation of gas sensors at the molecular level using designed clusters. This fundamental innovation seeks to overcome the selectivity challenges of current sensors, with potential applications from industrial leak detection to smart environmental networks.
Starting from the molecular level gives us a chance to build a game-changer in sensing technology, said Professor Chen Wei, a globally recognized researcher who has been named a Clarivate Highly Cited Researcher multiple times.
Driving Innovation with Strategic Funding
The NSFC Regional Innovation and Development Joint Fund is designed to direct top research talent toward critical scientific challenges linked to regional and national development needs. The selection of these two GXNU projects underscores the university's growing strength in organized, interdisciplinary research that addresses both global challenges and local economic growth.
About Guangxi Normal University
Guangxi Normal University is a key comprehensive university in South China with a strong commitment to scientific research and international exchange. Its School of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences is a hub for innovation, actively contributing to advancements in health, materials science, and environmental technology.