Feng Zhang at Experimental Biology, San Diego - Tang Prize  Lecture: Gene Editing to Virus Detection

Taipei, Taiwan, April 16, 2018 -- Improving global human health is the common goal in many parts of the world. It also reflects the spirit of the Tang Prize in Biopharmaceutical Science. The Tang Prize Foundation collaborates with several leading bioscience organizations this year. From April through to July, in U.S., Korea and Japan, Tang Prize laureates can be found in these places. On April 21^st, Professor Feng Zhang will attend Experimental Biology (EB), San Diego, giving the Opening Lecture, Tang Prize Award Lecture. Zhang will talk about his latest research progress in gene editing.

Zhang's team has developed a platform termed "SHERLOCK" from a dead variant of Cas13 (dCas13) in the CRISPR-Cas family. This February, the team published an article on the journal, Science, reporting four advances integrated into SHERLOKv2. These upgrades enable SHERLOCKv2 to "detect Dengue or Zika virus ssRNA as well as mutations in patient liquid biopsy samples via lateral flow." The system shows higher sensitivity with portable equipment that gives results in a short time frame. These "Lateral Flow Test Strips" allow higher degree of multiplexing, and human naked eye visible readouts can be seen on the test paper. This is a rapid and easy way for visual detection of samples with minimum instrumentation. These features make SHERLOCKv2 a universal and fast diagnostic platform. Many areas may benefit with its applications, including health care, agriculture, and environment.

This April 21-25, CRISPR gene editing tool takes the central stage at the EB -"A Cannot Miss Event" - in San Diego, California. Zhang will present "Harnessing Nature's Diversity for Gene Editing and Beyond" on the 21^st. His focus lies on Cas13 as a diagnostic platform and its applications. Estimated of more than 6,000 people will attend the Opening Lecture.

Tang Prize Foundation and EB signed a 10-year memorandum in 2015. Every year since then, Tang Prize Biopharmaceutical Science laureate gives talk at the EB. The two organizations collaborate closely to foster a broader information exchange and outreach. At the same time, International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) has invited Inaugural Tang Prize Biopharmaceutical Science laureate, Professor Tasuku Honjo, to present the opening plenary speech at the 24^th IUBMB Congress in Seoul, Korea. Later in July, the 18^th World Congress of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (WCP) takes place in Kyoto, Japan. Honjo and Zhang are invited by the International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology (IUPHAR) and Tang Prize respectively to present in the once-every-four-year event. It is hoped these lectures will spark innovation and support for advancing global human health. For more information please visit the Tang Prize website here.

About Tang Prize
Dr. Samuel Yin, chairman of Ruentex Group, founded the Tang Prize in December of 2012 as an extension of the supreme value his family placed on education. Harkening back to the golden age of the Tang Dynasty in Chinese history, the Tang Prize seeks to be an inspiring force for people working in all corners of the world. For more information on the Tang Prize and its laureates, please visit www.tang-prize.org

Contacts for the Tang Prize Foundation
Hannah Tu 
E-mail: [email protected]