August 18, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) released the result of the application for the 2021 research programs. According to the result, SZBL was awarded a total of 14 programs, including one Excellent Young Scientists Fund, three General Programs and 10 Young Scientist Funds.

Zhang Lei, Junior PI at the Institute of Cancer Research, is granted the Excellent Young Scientists Fund, marking the second consecutive year for SZBL to receive the Excellent Young Scientists Fund from the NSFC. Zhang’s research uses single cell omics to study the mechanism of tumor immunotherapy. On the basis of systematic analysis of the characteristics and interplay between T-lymphocytes and myeloid immune cells in the microenvironment of colorectal tumors, the research reveals the mechanism of action of different targetedmyeloid immune cells therapy strategies. Zhang also aims to develop a more effective and broad-spectrum anti-tumor strategy through integrating single cell omics technologies to investigate the activation of the immune mechanisms of the targeted cells , and to provide more evidence for the optimization of clinical treatment schemes for major diseases.