China builds trans-scale biomedical imaging facility to boost life sciences research

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Multimode Trans-Scale Biomedical Imaging Facility, one of China's key scientific infrastructure projects, officially passed the state acceptance testing on Friday, marking a milestone in advancing life sciences research and the diagnosis and treatment of major diseases, said the Institute of Biophysics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences.   Referred to as a "life observatory," the facility -- China's first comprehensive, large-scale scientific device in biomedical imaging -- enables trans-scale and panoramic observation to reveal life's mysteries, according to the National Biomedical Imaging Center at Peking University (NBIC), which oversees the facility's construction and operation.   In specific, it can perform many modal studies on research targets, such as optical microscopy, electron microscopy, magnetoencephalography, magnetic resonance, and provides an experimental environment with imaging scales spanning from sub-nanometer to meter, and from millisecond to life cycle.

The facility's core components comprise a multimodal medical imaging platform, a multimodal live cell imaging platform, a multimodal high-resolution molecular imaging platform, and a multi-scale image data integration system. It is capable of conducting trans-scale visualization and precise measurement of the structure and function of living organisms from molecules to cells, tissues, and entire organisms.   According to the Institute of Biophysics, the facility has attracted 29 major project proposals in digital life sciences, which will focus on systematic research and development in fields including brain science and tumor diagnosis and treatment.

"Sometimes we need to observe very fine structures, like atomic resolution, while sometimes we need to observe macro structures, such as some imaging of the brain, which may only require a resolution of from centimeters to millimeters. We also need both dynamic and static imaging. So it's necessary for us to study them by using different imaging equipment and technologies," said Zhu Bing, deputy head of the Institute of Biophysics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The facility covers 15 imaging modes and derived modes including positron emission, magnetic resonance, ultrasound, optics, X-rays, and electron microscopy.

"Only such a large-scale scientific facility can enable us to better and systematically depict all aspects of biological and medical events, and help us understand the mechanisms of specific diseases, evaluate the effects of certain specific intervention treatments, and even help promote the development of targeted intervention strategies," said Zhu.

With its construction starting in 2019, the facility was jointly initiated by Peking University and the Institute of Biophysics, and built with several other research institutions including Harbin Institute of Technology and University of Science and Technology of China. The total investment reached 1.717 billion yuan (about 237 million U.S. dollars).   Related researchers have developed instruments and equipment with international leading indicators like live cell super-resolution imaging microscope and have also published nearly 200 papers in international high-level academic journals.

China builds trans-scale biomedical imaging facility to boost life sciences research

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media