On the afternoon of October 30, 2023, Professor Raju Kucherlapati, a member of the American National Academy of Medicine, a genetics professor at Harvard Medical School, editor of the journal "Genomics," and a committee member of the "New England Journal of Medicine," led a team to visit the Zhongda Hospital Southeast University. Professor Teng Gaojun, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the president of Zhongda Hospital, welcomed Professor Raju Kucherlapati. The meeting was presided over by Professor Li Ling, the assistant to the president and the head of the Endocrinology Department, with participation from Professor Shi Ruihua, head of the Gastroenterology Department, and healthcare staff from the International Exchange and Cooperation Office and related departments. 

Professor Kucherlapati is a professor at Harvard Medical School in the United States, specializing in genetics and molecular medicine research. He has made significant contributions in the fields of cancer genetics and genomics, particularly in the study of colorectal tumors. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), among other scientific organizations. Professor Kucherlapati's research has contributed to a better understanding of the application of genetics and genomics in the fields of medicine and biology.

Professor Teng Gaojun warmly welcomed Professor Raju Kucherlapati's visit. He introduced the development history of Zhongda Hospital, shared his personal interests and progress in medical research, and discussed the development of immunotherapy checkpoint inhibitors, which both parties were interested in. Prof. Li Ling welcomed Professor Raju Kucherlapati's visit to Zhongda Hospital and expressed the hospital's commitment to international development and collaboration with top-tier institutions and scholars. 

Following this, Professor Raju Kucherlapati delivered a lecture on precision medicine, sharing the rapid advancements in our understanding of solid tumor types in the past two decades through genetics and genomics. He used visual evidence to explain how, with the development of genetics and genomics, the survival of cancer patients has significantly improved. Evidence shows that only a small portion of mutated genes play a driving role in cancer. Applying the principles of precision medicine, analyzing patients' genetic, molecular, and biological information, creating early profiles, and developing personalized treatment plans, selecting appropriate drugs for different patient groups, can lead to better treatment outcomes. He emphasized the importance of data and case sharing for collaborative research. Following the lecture, staffs and students of Zhongda hospital engaged in lively discussions and a Q&A session with Professor Kucherlapati. 

This visit has promoted the exchange of experiences and knowledge sharing between Zhongda Hospital and world-renowned medical experts. Both parties have deepened their understanding, shared international cutting-edge information, and made valuable explorations to accelerate and deepen the internationalization of the hospital's development, enhance its medical and research capabilities, and further advance the development of healthcare.