Nobel Prize winner Barry J. Marshall (2nd L) discusses with students during the X-Fusion conference held at the X-Institute on July 24-26. Photos from WeChat account "pingshanfb"

The first X-Fusion conference, organized by the X-Institute, was held at the institute in Pingshan District on July 24-26. The conference brought together students from around the country, sparking ideas and gaining inspiration.

During the conference, more than 200 domestic and international academicians, experts and entrepreneurs shared their research experiences and insights with X-Institute students as well as 250 students from other domestic universities, providing innovative guidance for the youth.

Australian physician and Chinese Academy of Engineering’s foreign academician Barry J. Marshall gave a speech based on his Nobel Prize experience and academic research. Marshall won the 2005 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine with J. Robin Warren for their discovery that stomach ulcers are an infectious disease caused by bacteria.

Barry J. Marshall speaks during the X-Fusion conference.

“If we have sufficient computational power and understand the functions of all genes, can we predict all potential traits of organisms and create the versions we desire?” a student asked Marshall at the conference.

“Constraining viruses and bacteria is a complex system. What is your vision for efforts in building a healthy barrier between microorganisms and humans?” was a question posed by another student.

Marshall gave his advice to students: “Curiosity and creativity are what scientific research requires the most. Whatever you do, you must wholeheartedly devote yourself to it.”

Attendees at the X-Fusion conference.

Huazhong University of Science and Technology Professor Li Kan shared his own learning and research experiences. “I hope that students here are inspired by Professor Marshall’s stories, igniting sparks of inspiration and creativity within each of us. Strive to seize opportunities for learning, growth and changing the world.”

During the conference, the X-Institute signed an agreement with the Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes to collaborate in talents development and innovation. It also signed an alliance agreement with five domestic universities — Huazhong University of Science and Technology, National University of Defense Technology, Tongji University, Northwestern Polytechnical University and the South China University of Technology.