The School of Life Science and Technology (SLST) of Xidian University is committed to making significant improvements in current and future life science technologies through well-funded research and development. SLST was founded in 2009, merging two former research entities, i.e. the Department of Biomedical Engineering and the Research Center of Intelligent Biological Information attached to the School of Electronics Engineering along with most of their pioneering staff. The former has its long history dating back to 1990, with particular strength in bio-signal processing. The latter was founded in 2006, with a special focus on cutting-edge life science technologies, such as neuroimaging and molecular imaging. Therefore, SLST gets its heritage from both.
SLST currently has 77 full-time faculty members, including 21 professors, and 30 associate professors, with 43% of faculty having overseas exchange experience. The student body consists of 304 undergraduate students, 268 master's students, and 97 doctoral students.
SLST offers three undergraduate programs: Biomedical Engineering, Intelligent Medical Engineering, and Biology and Intelligent Information Integration Experimental Class. It has established a first-level discipline with doctoral degree authorization in Biomedical Engineering, as well as professional degree authorization programs for doctoral and master's degrees in Electronic and Information Engineering (Biomedical Engineering) and a master's professional degree authorization program in Biological and Pharmaceutical Engineering. Our research fields span in four major directions. Detailed information is provided as follows:
In response to the major scientific issue of highly sensitive, specific, and high - resolution in - vivo acquisition of multi - dimensional information on tumor structure, function, and molecules, full-chain research work is carried out. This research focuses on the construction of molecular probes, development of new imaging theories and imaging technologies, and research and development of multi-modal and cross-scale imaging equipment. It provides new means for early tumor diagnosis and curative effect evaluation. The department undertakes major national projects and has won provincial and ministerial first-class awards. It has formed a research team led by national-level talents.
Focusing on major scientific issues in brain mechanisms and brain regulation, this research area explores multi-modal and cross-scale brain information mining technologies to analyze the neural mechanisms of acupuncture, addiction, and pain. It develops intelligent non-invasive neuroregulation technology systems and physical therapy devices that integrate endogenous neural feedback and exogenous physical regulation, targeting clinical and military applications. The department undertakes key national major projects and has won provincial-ministerial first - class awards. It has formed a core research team composed of provincial-ministerial-level talents.
Addressing the challenges of multi - dimensional and multi-omics big data analysis in biomedicine, this research area develops intelligent analysis methods for cross-scale high - dimensional massive data. It constructs a multi-level and multi- dimensional research system spanning organs (imaging), tissues (pathology), and cells/molecules (sequencing), aiming to uncover the underlying laws of complex biological evolution and disease etiology heterogeneity. This provides new insights for precision diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases. The department undertakes key national major projects and has won provincial - ministerial first-class awards. It has formed a core research team led by national-level talents.
Synthetic immunoengineering represents a cutting-edge field at the intersection of immunotherapy and synthetic biology, focusing on advancing synthetic immunity. By leveraging both theoretical and technological innovations, this discipline utilizes synthetic biology and nanomanipulation techniques to engineer immune cells, bacteria, and other organisms. These efforts aim to develop novel intelligent biological systems with advanced functionalities, including autonomous chemotaxis, specific sensing and response, and self-regulated output. Furthermore, synthetic immunoengineering investigates the principles underlying the construction of these intelligent systems, their structure-function relationships, and their in vivo behavioral patterns and control mechanisms. A key focus is also placed on understanding immune microenvironment regulation strategies, ultimately enabling efficient and precise immunotherapy for major diseases such as cancer, autoimmune disorders, and inflammation.
SLST is dedicated to making breakthroughs in the fundamental theories and key technologies of next-generation medical imaging equipment and intelligent diagnosis and treatment platforms. It has forged an all-chain development model that integrates industry, academia, research, and clinical practice. The related theoretical achievements have been published in internationally renowned journals such as Nature Biomedical Engineering, Science Advances, Nature Communications, PNAS and so on.
SLST has taken on more than 10 national key and major projects, including the National Key R&D Program. It holds over 130 authorized patents and has independently developed more than 10 pieces of equipment. These include large- animal Micro-CT, a PET-optical breast cancer imaging system, acupuncture-like physical therapy equipment, and a brain-computer interface-based personnel digital training system.
Moreover, it has set up international exchange platforms such as the "Engineering Research Center for Molecular and Neuro Imaging of Ministry of Education", the "Key Laboratory of Advanced Diagnosis and Treatment Technology and Equipment in Shaanxi Universities", the "Discipline Innovation and Talent Introduction Base for Medical Information Sensing and Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment in Shaanxi Universities", the "International Joint Research Center for Advanced Medical Imaging and Intelligent Diagnosis and Treatment", and the "International Science and Technology Cooperation Base for Intelligent Precision Diagnosis and Treatment".
Homepage: http://lifee.romani.cn/
