In an era of rapid iteration of artificial intelligence (AI), what are brain scientists thinking about? Yang Xiongli, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, one of the organizers and promoters of the Chinese Brain Science Project, and a professor at Fudan University, said that many questions have been pondered for many years and there is still no conclusion. Regarding the human brain and AI, the answers to some questions are not static. For example, is brain science the ultimate realm of natural science?
Caption: Yang Xiongli, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, neurobiologist and physiologist. Photo by Xinmin Evening News reporter Zhang Jian
A few days ago, amid warm applause from young students, Yang Xiongli stepped onto the podium of Xianghui Hall of Fudan University to teach freshmen in the medical field. A lesson. He encouraged young people time and time again to dare to innovate, to think independently, and to have the courage to question.
In the noisy Xujiahui, there is a scientific research building with a brick red exterior wall at Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University. People are always in a hurry coming in and out. The office of an octogenarian is deep on the fifth floor. Opening the door, a wall full of books comes into view, which makes people feel that "the universe is vast in a small room, and the world is vast in the heart". Can you imagine that a neurobiologist or physiologist has many language dictionaries and anthologies in his bookcase? Looking up, the calligraphy and painting congratulating Mr. Xi for his 60 years of teaching were hung in a conspicuous place. Next to the office is the laboratory of Yang Xiongli’s research group.
Caption: Academician Yang Xiongli visits the Institute of Brain Science of Fudan University several times a week. Photo by Xinmin Evening News reporter Zhang Jian
This is the Institute of Brain Science of Fudan University. Although Yang Xiongli is in his eighties, he still goes in and out here several times a week.
The conversation with Academician Yang Xiongli slowly unfolded in this ink-scented and quiet stack of books...
1. The "long-distance runner" of brain science
A scientist who has studied the nervous system all his life, his first dream was actually physics and mathematics. In 1957, the news that Chen Ning Yang and Tsung-Dao Lee won the Nobel Prize touched many young Chinese people. At that time, Yang Xiongli was a sophomore in high school. He was inspired by the news and became particularly interested in mathematics and physics. He teamed up with a few friends and tried to prove that the sum of the three interior angles of a triangle is not equal to 180 degrees!
"Do something and love something." He smiled. Interest can be cultivated. "If the 20th century is the century of physics, then there is no doubt that the 21st century is the century of biology." This is what Yang Xiongli read from a popular science magazine before he was admitted to the Department of Biophysical Chemistry of Shanghai University of Science and Technology. Predictions of Soviet scientists. The blueprint for the future described by
's prophecy ignited a fire in the hearts of scientific teenagers. Under the guidance of physiologist and mentor Professor Liu Yumin, Yang Xiongli began to work with microscopes, electrophysiological instruments and data.
"To be precise, when I started, I studied the mechanism of how the retina processes information." Yang Xiongli said that although different parts of the brain perform different functions, there are some universally applicable common principles and laws, and using some structures is relatively simple. Studying these laws with simple models can provide inspiration for revealing the mysteries of the brain. "From a developmental perspective, the retina is a part of the brain, but its structure is relatively simple, and the cells are clearly arranged in layers. It is recognized as the core of the brain." A simplified model.”
Caption: In 1963, young Yang Xiongli interviewed subjects in Shanghai (photo courtesy of the same below)
After graduating from college in 1963, Yang Xiongli plunged into the world of visual science. After the arrival of the "Spring of Science", he got the opportunity to study in the laboratory of Professor Shomichi Kaneko at the National Institute of Physiology in Japan. Before leaving, he dug a piece of soil and packed it into his luggage. He said that this country will always remind him to study and succeed and repay the motherland.
"Thanks to the 'eye cup' specimen that maintained blood circulation created when accepting the task of 'Light Fishing Principle' in China, the experiment went smoothly and a series of excellent papers were published on the research of retinal adaptation mechanism. Widely cited by the international academic community," Yang Xiongli recalled.
He and his Japanese colleague Masaki Tanuchi found that the cone pathways in the outer retina that transmit bright signals are strongly suppressed in the dark, and require a certain amount of ambient light as a background to maintain good functional status.Yang Xiongli reported this discovery at the Japanese Physiological Congress in 1982, which attracted widespread attention and attention.
Caption: In 1981, Yang Xiongli gave a speech at the 4th International "Taniguchi" Visual Science Symposium.
Later, a Harvard University research team also published similar results in Science. However, in an international review article in 2001, people still attributed the original rights of this discovery to "Yang Tanai Jinzi".
Yang Xiongli said that his subsequent research work in the Harvard University Biology Laboratory further deepened his previous research. A series of papers were published in the American Journal of Neuroscience, in which photos showing horizontal cell coupling were once used as Magazine cover image.
At the same time, in the laboratory in Shanghai, the team he led has achieved a series of important results in the study of the transmission and regulation mechanism of retinal nerve signals. From the beginning of this century, he paid attention to combining basic research with clinical problems. He and his young colleagues applied modern biological techniques to study the mechanisms of diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, myopia and other diseases in rodent models.
A few years ago, the National Natural Science Foundation of China approved the first major project in the field of ophthalmology with him as the chief scientist. He has collaborated with Fudan University Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital and other units on the theme of "Neurovisual Damage and Repair Mechanisms" and achieved many clinically important results. His team published a long review in a well-known international academic journal, making a systematic summary of these research works. When
introduced his research work in recent years, he talked enthusiastically about the recent discovery by his young colleague Professor Weng Shijun that self-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells play an important role in the formation of myopia. "The paper was originally submitted to Science" , but because one of the three reviewers raised a question, it was finally published in the sub-journal "Science Advances"; in fact, the reviewer's question was due to a misunderstanding of our research results!" Mr. Yang! Some people are "uneasy", and their eyes are more dedicated to science.
2. The "screamer" of the "China Brain Project"
is known as the "three-pound universe" brain. Although it is small in size, it is a "must-contested place" in the world's scientific community - to this day, the brain is still The black hole of human cognition is called the "ultimate territory" of natural science.
Yang Xiongli explained that the human brain is composed of about 86 billion nerve cells, which is equivalent to the total number of planets in the entire galaxy; nerve cells form neural circuits through special connection points (synapses) with each other. These neural circuits It is the basic unit for the brain to implement its functions, and in order to realize its advanced functions, many neural circuits need to participate in it. These neural circuits undergo dynamic changes in function and structure as they develop and continue to change under various internal and external conditions.
"I entered this field in the early 1960s, on the eve of the rise of brain science (neuroscience) as a comprehensive emerging discipline. I have been fortunate to witness the revolution that has taken place in the field of brain science for more than half a century. Change." Yang Xiongli sighed.
Caption: Yang Xiongli spoke at the founding meeting of the Institute of Neurobiology at Fudan University
In the mid-to-late 1980s, Shanghai and Beijing gradually became the center of neuroscience research. At that time, Yang Xiongli served as the director of the Shanghai Institute of Physiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and began to reorganize his own laboratory. In order to make up for the lack of scientific research funds and expand international influence, as the leader of the independent research group (PI) in China, he submitted an application for "Retinal Function Regulation" to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), which was approved in 1990. After that, he participated in international cooperation and submitted a joint application to the Human Frontier Science Planning Organization (HFSPO), which was approved again - he became the first scientist in my country to successfully obtain funds from HFSPO.
In 1999, thanks to the momentum of the "Decade of the Brain" in the 1990s and the sincere unity of scientists from all parties, the first neuroscience "973 Plan" (basic research on brain function and major brain diseases) was born, led by Yang Xiongli As chief scientist, "The project support is very strong, with 30 million yuan in funding and five academicians participating. This project can be said to be a new starting point for the development of neuroscience in our country!"
The five-year implementation process has produced a series of important A large number of outstanding research results have been published in first-class international academic journals, demonstrating the ambition and strength of Chinese neuroscientists. In Yang Xiongli's view, what's more important is that a group of young academic leaders have stood out and become an important force in neuroscience in my country. The "participants" who have grown up have successively taken leadership positions in various scientific and technological projects, and a considerable number of them are still in this position today. Still active at the forefront of neuroscience exploration.
“These research works have laid a solid foundation for the proposal, planning and formulation of the ‘China Brain Project’.” Yang Xiongli said seriously.
In 2015, my country proposed the strategic deployment of "brain science and brain-inspired research" and initially formed a structural framework of "one body and two wings" - "one body", which is to explain the neural basis of human cognition (understanding the brain) As the main body and core; the "two wings" are the diagnosis and treatment of major brain diseases (protecting the brain) and brain-inspired computing and brain-computer intelligence (imitating the brain). The following year, the "Thirteenth Five-Year Plan" outline listed "Brain Science and Brain-inspired Research" as the "Technological Innovation 2030-New Generation Artificial Intelligence Major Project", which is also known as the "China Brain Plan" to the Chinese people.
Yang Xiongli always humbly tells visitors that he is only an early participant in the "Chinese Brain Project" and cannot be said to be a organizer or promoter. "The 'Chinese Brain Project' is thanks to the joint efforts of my country's neuroscience community. I I’m just playing the drums.” But in fact, the octogenarian has never stopped shouting for the “China Brain Project”.
Yes, it is "scream". The article published in "Science China" is titled "Screaming for the Chinese Brain Project". Yang Xiongli wrote that the first priority is to establish a strong leadership core for the "China Brain Project". "This leadership group should have the ability to grasp the overall development of brain science, should have a thorough understanding of the current situation of brain science research in China, and have the organizational and leadership capabilities to With rich experience in scientific projects, one should have a broad mind that embraces all rivers, brainstorms, and do what is good, and get rid of the beggar-thy-neighbor mentality..."
3. Diligent people who "have been walking"
"I am not walking fast, but I have been walking, so from now on In a sense, I am ahead." Whenever he talks about his current achievements, Yang Xiongli always mentions the word "diligence."
The densely packed dictionaries on the bookshelf in his office are an interesting portrayal of this neurobiologist's diligence -
During his college days, Yang Xiongli's first foreign language was Russian. Through self-study of "Russian literary language", he can read the original works of Gorky and Pushkin in Russian, and can even take notes in Russian when the teacher lectures in Chinese. Gorky's phrase "I don't know what else is fun besides reading" was adopted as his motto.
After all, learning a foreign language is also about penetrating into the academic world without national borders. He soon realized that knowing Russian was not enough. He set his sights on English and began to study by himself in his spare time. "In those years, there were not even small English-Chinese dictionaries on the market, so I had no choice but to go to a used foreign language bookstore to find an English-Russian dictionary and learn English through it." He recalled with a smile.
In an era when material conditions were scarce, buying new books was a luxury. When Yang Xiongli was young, his favorite place was a foreign language bookstore on Fuzhou Road. There was no coffee and refreshments at that time, but it did not prevent the young man from holding the book and being obsessed with it for a long time. Finally, after flipping through it, he picked out a pile of old books and returned with satisfaction. "I want to take a good look at it when I have some free time later."
Still When he was in college, he translated the article "Blue Solar Cells" from a Russian popular science magazine into Chinese and sent it to the editorial department of "Science Illustrated", and he was quickly accepted.With the 2 yuan royalties and the 1 yuan birthday gift from his mother, Yang Xiongli bought a "German-Russian Dictionary" and taught himself his third foreign language, German.
Later, Yang Xiongli learned Japanese and French. While studying for a doctoral degree in Japan, he not only completed a doctoral thesis entirely in Japanese, but also used Japanese throughout the two hours of his graduation defense. "Maybe I have some talent in learning languages!" He said with a smile. Others only envied Yang Xiongli for his proficiency in multiple languages, but they did not see Yang Xiongli immersed in studying under the 2:30 am clock in the teaching building.
Caption: Academician Yang Xiongli gives a popular science report
In the living room of Yang Xiongli's home, there is a running script written by Zhou Huijun, a calligrapher who is a fellow countryman and classmate: "The road is long and long, and I will search up and down.", above The inscription reads "Xiong Li's seat is on the right". Yang Xiongli lamented that those with extraordinary talents are all ordinary people. Most people have no special talents. The gap in intelligence between each other can be made up for by acquired diligence. "Diligence is not a day or two days, not a month or two months, not a month or two months." Those who can reach the front of the team in one or two years, not even ten or twenty years, cannot do without hard work. This is one of the reasons why I became the youngest member (academician) in Shanghai more than 30 years ago.”
Yang Xiongli said frankly that he has encountered many good opportunities and has been supported by his seniors, but the key is to do well first! “Chance favors the prepared mind.”
4. A hands-on “science popularizer”
In the nearly three-hour interview, Yang Xiongli mentioned the name Zhang Jiayi many times, and he did not hesitate to praise her. This is a young researcher from the Institute of Brain Science of Fudan University who has made great achievements in the field of visual information.
Yang Xiongli always remembers the support and cultivation given to him by Academician Feng Depei and Academician Zhang Xiangtong - the first paper he published in the "Science Bulletin" magazine was recognized and recommended by Academician Zhang Xiangtong, and in his subsequent scientific research During his career, he also received help from many seniors. “I serve as the director of the Institute of Physiology, and was recommended by Academician Feng.” He passed on this concern for the younger generations and supported the young people around him in various ways.
In the new semester of 2024, Yang Xiongli has a new position: the vice principal of science education at his alma mater Guangming Middle School. In addition to research and teaching students, he feels that there are many things he can do as an academician, and science popularization is one of the most important things. He sent a message to the young people, "With innovative thinking and a spirit of serious work, work tirelessly to become a leader in Chinese science. Leader and trend-setter."
Caption: Yang Xiongli is enthusiastic about answering questions for young people.
This scientist who cherishes his time rarely says "no" to science popularization, especially for teenagers. For this reason, he won the Shanghai Science Popularization Award. The "Outstanding Person Award for Popular Science" established by the Education Development Foundation. A few years ago, the World's Top Scientists Forum invited him, and he immediately put down his work and agreed to participate. He also came to the "Little Scientists Forum" early to satisfy the children's various requests for answers, autographs, and photos. At the scene, he gave Hegel's words to the students, "Respect authority while challenging authority. Remember, don't be bound by the words of authority. Scientific research is about constantly creating new things."
"The endless flow of science is realized through the intergenerational transfer of scientists from generation to generation. From the perspective of historical evolution, each of us plays the same role, that is, inheriting the past and linking up with the future, but we only assume it in different eras. They have different historical missions.” Yang Xiongli said that when doing science popularization, it is our responsibility to tell the public about the work we are engaged in. “Understanding the development of natural science is of great significance not only to scientists, but also to the general public. Science is closely related to our lives, so we are more likely to deal with these issues correctly." Just recently, he has written prefaces for several science or popular science books, and the style of each article is different.
"Maybe the popular science about neuroscience I do can make children interested in science?" He added with a smile. Is brain science the ultimate realm of natural science? Young people may have new answers, new directions, and new breakthroughs. This is science.
