Tsinghua ISSU E 42 November 2018

Tsinghua Student Supercomputing Team becomes the Student Cluster Competition (SC18) Overall Winner

MIT Executive Committee visits Tsinghua; -MIT Executive Committee Strategy Roundtable held

In China and for the World: Global Health Drug Discovery Institute (GHDDI) embarks on a New Journey of Innovative Drug Discovery

1 NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER Tsinghua Student Supercomputing Team becomes the Student Cluster Competition (SC18) Overall Winner

On November 15th, the Stu- dent Cluster Competition (SC18) concluded in . The supercom- puting team from the Department of Computer Science and Technolo- gy (DCST), Tsinghua University, won the championship with a total score of 88.398 (full score of 100), 11.518 higher than Nanyang Technological University of Singapore who won the second place. With this, the Tsinghua team has won all three top interna- tional student cluster competitions in 2018, which are ASC, ISC and SC, and achieved another grand slam after 2015. It is also the 11th championship won by the team in these three top international student cluster compe- titions. The Tsinghua team who took part in the competition are composed of six undergraduate students: Yu Jiping, Yu have participated in many interna- Linpack (HPL) benchmark, High Per- Xinjian, He Jiaao, Zheng Liyan, and tional competitions. The advisors are formance Conjugate Gradient (HPCG) Zhao Chenggang, who are all from Associate Professor Zhai Jidong and benchmark, parallel deep learning, DCST and Lou Chenyao, from the Postdoctoral Researcher Han Wentao particle transport simulation, earth- Institute for Interdisciplinary Infor- from DCST. Meanwhile, five under- quake simulation, and a mysterious mation Sciences. Technical support graduate students: Tang Shizhi, application announced on-site, which was provided by Cao Huanqi, Feng Yu, Gu Yuxian, Chen Shengqi and is a weather forecasting model. Mean- Guanyu and Wang Miao, graduate Zhang Chen, also participated in the while, sessions including interviews, students of the Institute of High-Per- training. attending expo and poster design formance Computing in DCST, who Undergraduate students from 15 were also set up, where the team universities all over the world formed members were required to introduce teams to take part in the competition. their optimization on applications to During the competition, the teams the judges in the competition, as well were required to design and build as writing a report which is eligible to their own computing clusters and be published in an academic journal compete in the performance of six within 48 hours. applications. The power of the cluster must not exceed 3000 watts during the entire 48-hour competition. The applications were High-Performance

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER 2 MIT Executive Committee Strategy Roundtable held

On November 12th, the MIT Executive Committee, led by MIT President L. Rafael Reif and Robert B. Millard, Chairman of the MIT Corporation and Chair of the MIT Executive Committee, visited Tsinghua University. Tsinghua Pres- ident Qiu Yong, Vice Presidents Xue Qikun, Yang Bin, Wang Xiqin, and Zheng Li, together with the Chair- man of the Academic Committee of Tsinghua and Vice President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China Zhang Xi met and conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions with the delegation members. The Tsinghua University-MIT Executive innovation, and entrepreneurship Schmidt introduced the participants Committee Strategy Roundtable was education in Chinese universities, of their respective universities at the held the same day. and to promote further future coop- beginning of the roundtable, hosted On behalf of Tsinghua Univer- eration between both universities. by Yang Bin. sity, President Qiu welcomed the In the afternoon, the Tsinghua members of the MIT Executive Com- University-MIT Executive Commit- mittee. He said that Tsinghua has tee Strategy Roundtable was held had a longstanding partnership and in Tsinghua’s main building. Senior friendship with MIT. The two uni- administrators of both MIT and versities have carried out extensive Tsinghua met to discuss their recent cooperation in the fields of econom- achievements in education, research, ics, management, computer science, international cooperation and future architecture, engineering, medicine, development. and climate change. It is hoped that the two sides will further expand cooperation in more disciplines and President Qiu made a speech fields on the basis of successful coop- entitled “Tsinghua: Heritage and eration in the past. Reform.” He pointed out that uni- In response, MIT President, L. versities are evergreen institutions Rafael Reif, stated that the Execu- that pursue knowledge and truth tive Committee of MIT is delighted to in eternity. Tsinghua and MIT are be able to visit Tsinghua University. both more than a hundred years old China has made great development and both cherish their own heritage achievements and MIT hopes to Tsinghua Vice President Yang and constantly adjust themselves to gain a deep understanding of China’s Bin and MIT Provost Martin A. respond to the needs of the age. He

3 NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER reviewed the special historical con- priority, and now actively promotes nections between Tsinghua and MIT, interdisciplinary and cutting-edge noting that Tsinghua was founded in research. In terms of internation- 1911, 50 years after the establishment al cooperation, Tsinghua launched of MIT in 1861, and that both univer- its global strategy in 2016. Tsinghua sities have a history of more than 100 highly values international coopera- years. The heads of the three engi- tion and exchange with its partners neering departments established by around the world. Tsinghua in 1932 all graduated from President Qiu remarked that in MIT. In December 2016, Tsinghua three years, Tsinghua University will conferred the honorary doctorate of celebrate its 110th anniversary and Li JinLiang, Dean of Interna- Tsinghua on President Rafael Reif. MIT will celebrate its 160th anniver- tional Cooperation & Exchange, On behalf of Tsinghua, President Qiu sary. He expressed the hope that the introduced the Global Strategy and Yong expressed his sincere welcome two universities can further deepen international education at Tsinghua to President Rafael Reif on his return their cooperation in the coming years. University. to Tsinghua once again. Noting that this year marks the 930th “As we celebrate the 107th anni- anniversary of the birth of university, versary of Tsinghua this year, we are and in 70 years’ time, its millennium at a transitional phase from the first will be celebrated, President Qiu said, to the second century in the history “I believe MIT and Tsinghua should of Tsinghua. At this critical turn- join hands to welcome the upcoming ing point, we are reflecting upon millennium of the establishment of our own history and heritage, and universities.” thinking about the next step; what MIT President Rafael Reif intro- should we cherish and what should duced MIT’s students, Nobel Prize we change?” asked President Qiu. He winners, alumni, innovation, tech- explained Tsinghua’s traditions and nology transfer, cooperation and its During the discussion session, educational concepts around the two engagement with industry. the participants exchanged their key words of “heritage” and “reform,” views on issues, including future and introduced the reform initiatives development strategy, AI, and big and important achievements of Tsin- data. ghua in recent years. President Qiu Members of the MIT Exec- noted that Tsinghua carried forward utive Committee also visited the the fine tradition of attaching impor- Schwarzman College of Tsinghua tance to faculty, and had established a University, the Tsinghua Science tenure track system in the university. Park, and Tsinghua’s X-Lab. They also The new system encouraged a batch of exchanged ideas with representatives young faculty to join Tsinghua, bring- of the alumni entrepreneurs of Tsing- ing fresh blood to the campus. Based hua University. on the university motto of “Self-dis- cipline and Social Commitment,” and Reviewing the close relation- the Tsinghua spirit of “Actions Speak ship between the two universities, Louder Than Words”, Tsinghua pro- both Presidents hoped to bring the posed a new educational paradigm: two universities even closer together, the shaping of values, the cultivating respecting their heritage whilst also of skills and the imparting of knowl- reforming to accommodate changing edge, while vigorously promoting academic and social demands. education in innovation and entre- Entitled “Partnership and Col- preneurship and focusing on general laboration for Innovation”, Tsinghua education. In scientific research, the Vice President Xue Qikun outlined university has a tradition of address- the recent research development and ing the critical challenges of national achievements of Tsinghua.

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER 4 In China and for the World: Global Health Drug Discovery Institute (GHDDI) Embarks on a New Journey of Innovative Drug Discovery

key milestone for in-depth cooper- ation between and the Gates Foundation, is becoming a driving force for the city’s fast-growing bio- medical and healthcare industry. “Beijing is now building a National Science and Technology Innovation Center, as part of the national strate- gic plan,” Yin said. “Moving forward, we will continue to provide strong support for the GHDDI and attract more GHDDI-like, global innovative resources to Beijing, and have them grow and flourish here.”

not-for-profit organization devoted to eijing, November 7th, 2018 – to addressing global health challenges celebrate the opening of its new and tackling the most pressing disease Bstate-of-the-art research facili- crises that affect the world’s poor- ty, the Global Health Drug Discovery est populations, such as tuberculosis, Institute (GHDDI) hosted a grand malaria and other parasitic diseases. opening event in Beijing. Being the first of its kind in Chen Jining, Mayor of the Beijing China, the GHDDI adopts a unique Municipality, Qiu Yong, President trilateral partnership (Public-Private of Tsinghua University, Bill Gates, Partnership, PPP) that drives insti- Qiu Yong, President of Tsing- Co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates tutional innovation, multi-sectoral hua University, pointed out that drug Foundation and Ding Sheng, Institute alliance and global collaboration. The R&D requires multi-disciplinary Director of the GHDDI, attended the Institute’s three founding partners – synergy as well as efficient conver- ceremony and unveiled the GHDDI’s the Beijing Municipal Government, sion of research discovery into new official logo plaque. Moving into the Tsinghua University and the Gates medicine. “Pharmaceutical science new facility marked a new chapter Foundation – have worked closely to is one major development focus of for the GHDDI, a young drug discov- provide various resources as well as the University. By partnering with ery institute. policy support. the Beijing Government and the The GHDDI, established in Bei- According to Yin Yong, Deputy Gates Foundation, we aim to estab- jing in August 2016, is an independent, Mayor of Beijing, the GHDDI, as a lish a transformative drug discovery

5 NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER platform and global public health congratulated for overcoming many program and focuses its resources on institution with advanced biomedi- obstacles and building a high-cali- projects that demonstrate a high like- cal R&D capabilities,” President Qiu ber and dedicated team that is now lihood of progressing to the clinic. So added. “I believe the use of the new tackling some of the toughest global far, our team has worked on over 10 facility will accelerate the GHDDI’s health diseases”. projects in tuberculosis, malaria and growth and help Tsinghua develop Following the ceremony, Ding other diseases that affect the develop- its pharmaceutical disciplines and Sheng gave the participating guests a ing countries.” talents, while making greater contri- tour of the GHDDI’s new labs. “Since “The GHDDI represents a new bution to Beijing and global health.” 2016, we have been focusing on approach to product development. developing modular drug discovery The foundation will continue to sup- infrastructure and disease-specific port GHDDI’s collaboration with expertise,” Ding said. “The GHDDI other foundation grantees,” Gates will maximize the probability of added. “Ultimately, the work done success by creating a diverse proj- here will benefit people in China and ect portfolio within each disease around the world.”

In March 2017, Bill Gates partic- ipated in the Inauguration Ceremony of GHDDI. “It was not much more than a blueprint in our minds for a new model of innovation in global health drug research and devel- opment,” he said, “Fast forward 18 months and we are standing in front of this beautiful, modern laboratory where amazing discoveries are being made. The GHDDI team should be

On November 29th, at the 86th Congregation for the Conferment of President Qiu Yong Degrees of the Chinese University of 2018, Cheng Yuet-ngor, Chief Executive of the Receives Honorary Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, presented a Doctorate from the Degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa, to Tsinghua University Pres- ident Qiu Yong. The conferment ceremony was presided over by the Chinese University Vice-Chancellor and President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong Prof. Rocky S. Tuan. of Hong Kong The award is in recognition of the outstanding achievements and contributions made by President Qiu

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER 6 his belief and efforts in integrating Hong Kong, and recipient of the Gold the laboratory with entrepreneur Bauhinia Star of Hong Kong Simon Ip research platforms paving the way for Sik-on; and former Chief Executive product research commercialization. of the Hong Kong Monetary Author- Professor Qiu’s dedication and passion ity, recipient of the Golden Bauhinia for nurturing young scholars is also Star and the Grand Bauhinia Medal of inspiring. He has won countless acco- Hong Kong, Joseph Yam Chi-kwong lades for his scientific innovations were awarded the Degree of Doctor and pedagogic passions. Throughout of Social Science, honoris causa, of his career, Professor Qiu has taught the Chinese University of Hong Kong. in academia and to greater society, by example and impressed many Subsequently, the ceremony including the promotion of scientific young minds. He has persevered in also held a degree-awarding ses- research and development, cross-dis- discovering new knowledge and scal- sion, where 451 graduating students ciplinary research in the field of ing new heights. He has championed enjoyed the momentous occasion. organic optoelectronics, as well as cross-disciplinary research, promoted Tsinghua University and the the important role he has played in the integration of academic research Chinese University of Hong Kong university management, talent culti- and industry applications, setting signed their first exchange agreement vation, education and teaching, and new trends in the community with back in 1985. In recent years, teach- cooperation between the two univer- his vision and vigor. Both as a schol- er-student exchange and academic sities. ar and as an individual, he epitomizes cooperation between the two uni- More than 1500 participants the true spirit of Tsinghua University versities have become increasingly were present at the conferment cer- encapsulated in its motto ‘Self-Dis- frequent. On May 29th, 2017, Presi- emony, including Council Chairman cipline and Social Commitment’. He dent Qiu was appointed as Honorary of the Chinese University of Hong practices what he preaches and acts as Professor of the Faculty of Science of Kong Dr. Leung Nai-pang, and from a role model. the Chinese University of Hong Kong Tsinghua University - former Presi- On the day, three distinguished and other renowned Tsinghua pro- dent Gu Binglin, Vice President and individuals were awarded the Degree fessors, including Chen-Ning Yang, Provost Yang Bin, Assistant President of Doctor, honoris causa, of the Chi- Honorary Director of Institute For and Director of the Academic Affairs nese University of Hong Kong, for Advanced Study of Tsinghua Uni- Office Peng Gang, and alumni repre- their outstanding contributions versity; Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, Dean sentatives. to culture, art, scientific research, of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Sze-Wing Tang, Professor and education, and the promotion of Information Sciences, and Shing-Tung Chairman of the Department of Chi- people’s well-being. In addition to Yau, Director of Yau Mathematical nese Language and Literature at the President Qiu, the former Chairman Sciences Center, are also distinguished Chinese University of Hong Kong, of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, former professor-at-large at the Chinese Uni- gave the conferment speech to Pres- Member of the Legislative Council of versity of Hong Kong. ident Qiu. He praised his journey and achievements, saying that once a young freshman pursuing a dream, Professor Qiu is now the head of a university driving the collective pursuit of an exalted goal. In this 35-year journey, Professor Qiu has been studying and working in one place - his alma mater, embodying the quintessential Tsinghuanese from head to toe. Professor Qiu has dedi- cated himself to scientific research, material development, and the trans- lation of research findings. He is an advocate of novel cross-disciplinary research, and much renowned for

7 NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER Central Urban Work Conference. He hoped that the Tsinghua Urban Insti- Announcing the tute would become a think-tank that combined theoretical research with practical innovation and mobilized Establishment of the collective wisdom of experts from around the world in building a new urban science discipline in China. He envisioned the creation of urban the Tsinghua theories that suited the national con- dition, thus guiding the development of harmonious, livable, and dynamic Urban Institute cities with unique Chinese charac- teristics. He pledged to help build the Institute into a comprehensive plat- form for theoretical and practical innovation that would cultivate he establishment of the Tsinghua Urban Institute would harness the scholars with open minds and inclu- Urban Institute, jointly spon- benefits of the multidisciplinary sive perspectives, and affirmed the Tsored by the Ministry of Housing environment offered by the Univer- full support of the Ministry of Hous- and Urban-Rural Development and sity and cooperating partners, using ing and Urban-Rural Development as Tsinghua University, was announced this platform to promote cross-dis- the Tsinghua Urban Institute devel- at Tsinghua University on November ciplinary research and innovation, oped. 20th. The Minister of Housing and strive for social support, and establish At the ceremony, an advisory Urban-Rural Development Meng- a new brand in urban development committee was also established. This hui Wang and the Chairperson of the policy that would broadcast Chinese committee comprises 18 eminent University Council Chen Xu attended voices and tell good Chinese stories in members, including Chen Qingtai, the ceremony to open the institute. the world. Xu Guanhua, Wu Jinglian and Gao In her speech, Chen Xu said that Minister Wang explained the Shiji. Minister Wang and Chen Xu Tsinghua University always gave a intent behind the establishment of each issued letters of appointment high priority to the study of urban the Tsinghua Urban Institute: to for the members of the advisory issues and the construction of related implement new concepts and strat- committee in attendance at the cer- systems that could serve the nation- egies within the “respect the rules, emony. The Director of the advisory al long-term strategic development. and the five co-ordinations” require- committee, the former Deputy Direc- She pointed out that the establish- ments for urban development put tor General of the Development ment of the Tsinghua Urban Institute, forward by President Xi Jinping at the Research Center of the State Council, with the mutual support of the Min- istry of Education, was an important step toward meeting the needs for high-quality development in Chinese cities. She looked forward to the nur- turing of a new generation of urban management talents in the Institute with deep understanding of the chal- lenges facing urban development in China, including planning, housing, ecology, environment, transporta- tion, economy, and public security, and the ability to identify and apply novel strategies and solutions with unique Chinese characteristics. Ms Chen anticipated that the Tsinghua

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER 8 Chen Qingtai, spoke on behalf of the Resources and Environment of the with the English abbreviation TUI. advisory committee. He anticipat- Development Research Center of the The Institute was founded by the ed that the Tsinghua Urban Institute State Council, joined other members Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural would contribute to forward-looking, of the advisory committee. Xiang Development and Tsinghua Universi- systematic, and scientific strategies Botao, Deputy Director of the Uni- ty. Minister Wang Menghui serves for long-term urban development and versity Council, Su Jun, Director of as the chair of the steering commit- management, with deep respect for the Think-tank Center, and leaders tee of the Tsinghua Urban Institute. history and culture. and representatives of the Institute Chen Xu and Huang Yan serve as the The ceremony was chaired by for China Sustainable Urbanization, deputy chairs of the steering com- Peng Gong, Chair of the Department the Schools of Civil Engineering, mittee. The Tsinghua Urban Institute of Earth System Science at Tsinghua Architecture, Public Administration, is led by the Department of Earth University and President of the Tsin- Continuing Education, the Tsinghua System Science of Tsinghua Universi- ghua Urban Institute. Huang Yan, Urban Institute, and the Department ty in cooperation with other relevant the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Earth System Science attended the research units on campus, includ- of Housing and Urban-Rural Devel- ceremony. ing the Schools of Social Sciences, opment, Chang Qing, the Director The Tsinghua Urban Institute, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Eco- of the General Office, and Gao Tsinghua University, may be referred nomics and Management, and Public Shiji, the Director of the Institute of to in short as the Urban Institute, Administration.

Anming Meng’s group and Qinghua Tao’s group publish a Science article revealing the basis of vertebrate body axis formation

On November 23rd 2018, mainly relies on the organizer at the None of the maternal mutant embry- Anming Meng’s group and Qinghua early stage of vertebrate embryon- os, whose mother is a homozygous Tao’s group from Tsinghua Universi- ic development. Back in 1920s, two mutant female fish, could form a ty cooperatively published an online German embryologists, Hans Spe- dorsal organizer, head or normal research article entitled “Maternal mann and Hilde Mangold, discovered body axes (rostral-caudal axis and Huluwa dictates the embryonic body the organizer using newts. Spemann dorsoventral axis) (Fig. 1). After posi- axis through β-catenin in vertebrates” was awarded the Nobel Prize in Phys- tional cloning and candidate gene in Science. They reported the func- iology or Medicine in 1935 for this testing, the researchers found the tion of a maternal gene huluwa in the work. Following studies revealed that mutated gene, which was previous- embryonic dorsal organizer and body the embryonic organizer acts as a sig- ly uncharacterized. They named it axis formation in vertebrates, which naling center for correct patterning huluwa, meaning calabash boy in marks tremendous progress in the through cell fates and cell movements Chinese, in reference to the calabash field of developmental biology. control. Nuclear β-catenin functions (bottle gourd)-like shape of some (Paper link: http://science.sciencemag. as a key factor of organizer induction mutant embryos and the superpow- org/content/362/6417/eaat1045) by activating target gene expression. er of the calabash brothers to defeat The rostral-caudal (or anteropos- However, it is unclear which mater- monsters in the Chinese animation terior) axis and the dorsoventral axis nal factor is responsible for β-catenin TV series Calabash Brothers. Injec- are two major body axes, along which nuclear translocation. tion of in vitro synthesized huluwa the tissues and organs are placed. The Anming Meng’s group found a mRNA into one blastomere of the 16- formation of these two body axes zebrafish maternal-effect mutant. to 32-cell stage embryos could induce

9 NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER a secondary organizer/body axis, indicating that Huluwa has potent organizer-inducing activity. Further- more, Qinghua Tao’s group examined the role of the Xenopus huluwa gene. In Xenopus, maternal depletion of huluwa transcripts leads to the loss of the organizer, head and body axis and huluwa mRNA injection could also induce a secondary body axis.

Therefore, huluwa is functionally Fig. 1. Working model of Huluwa (Hwa) in the zebrafish embryo. In the conserved in fish and amphibians. wild-type fertilized egg, hwa mRNA is localized in the vegetal pole region, Further studies showed that whereas Axin and β-catenin proteins are located in the cytoplasm. During Huluwa protein is located on the early blastulation, Hwa protein is located in the dorsal blastomeres, where it locally promotes Axin degradation and results in the stabilization and nuclear plasma membrane of future dorsal transportation of β-catenin. At the onset of gastrulation, the dorsal organizer, blastomeres during early blastula- also known as the embryonic shield, is formed by the action of β-catenin. The tion. It recruits Axin protein, which organizer regulates the cell fates along the dorsal-ventral and anterior-pos- binds to β-catenin and promotes its terior axes as well as cell movements during gastrulation, which leads to the degradation. Axin can be degraded formation of the main body. In the absence of hwa (as in Mhwa mutants), after binding to Huluwa, which pro- cytosolic β-catenin is destroyed by the Axin-containing machinery. As a result, the organizer is not formed and the head, neural tissues, and body axis do not tects β-catenin from degradation and develop, but there are residual mesendodermal tissues in the tail-like region. promotes β-catenin nuclear trans- O, organizer; N, neuroectoderm; EP, epidermis; ME, mesendoderm. location. It is widely believed that dorsal β-catenin is protected by sig- nals transduced by maternal Wnt ligands and receptors, but this study showed that Huluwa can function through β-catenin in a Wnt ligand/ receptor-independent manner. In Wei Xie’s group and Anming conclusion, Huluwa is very likely the long-sought dorsal determinant in Meng’s group published vertebrate embryos. Prof. Anming Meng and Prof. research in Molecular Cell on Qinghua Tao are the co-correspon- dence authors of this article. PhD epigenetic reprogramming student Lu Yan, and postdoctoral fel- lows Jing Chen and Xuechen Zhu from the School of Life Sciences at during parental-to-zygotic Tsinghua University are the co-first authors. Other co-authors, including transition in zebrafish Jiawei Sun, Xiaotong Wu, Weimin Shen and Weiying Zhang, also par- ticipated in the experiments. This y investigating the reprogram- during parental-to-zygotic transition study was funded by the National ming of histone modifications in zebrafish. Their findings, published Natural Science Foundation, the Tsin- Bduring parental-to-zygotic tran- in Molecular Cell on Nov. 15th, 2018, ghua University Initiative Scientific sition in vertebrates, a team led by two not only revealed a multi-step estab- Research Program, and the China groups in the School of Life Scienc- lishment of the zygotic epigenome in Postdoctoral Science Foundation. es of Tsinghua University (Wei Xie’s zebrafish but also shed light on the group and Anming Meng’s group), conservation and divergence of epi- has revealed the conserved “erase- genetic reprogramming during early and-rewrite” principle for epigenome vertebrate development. transition through distinct paths The epigenome plays a crucial

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER10 the maternal depletion of histone acetyltransferases results in aber- rant ZGA and embryonic lethality. The resolution of primed promoters upon ZGA is largely driven by mater- nal factors while the re-activation of enhancers involves both maternal and zygotic regulators. Taken togeth- er, these data uncovered a theme of epigenetic reprogramming during parental-to-zygotic transition by “dememorizing” enhancers and prim- ing promoters. Importantly, when compared to results in mouse embry- A model shows the erasure of parental epigenomes and the “step-wise” os from earlier studies, they found establishment of zygotic epigenome at enhancers and promoters before and similar “erase-and-rewrite” principles after ZGA in zebrafish that are conserved between differ- ent species. Thus their work revealed divergent modes but conserved prin- role in gene regulation during animal in situ (Wu et al., JMCB, 2018)), they ciples for epigenetic reprogramming development. Recent progress using investigated the reprogramming and during parental-to-zygotic transition highly sensitive technologies revealed re-establishment of histone modi- in vertebrates. the extensive erasure of parental fications from gametes to post-ZGA Prof. Wei Xie from the School of epigenetic information after fertiliza- embryos. Life Sciences of Tsinghua Universi- tion, with only some inherited to the Through the study of histone ty, and Prof. Anming Meng from the progeny which plays a critical role in modifications in zebrafish gametes School of Life Sciences of Tsinghua embryonic development. However, it and early embryos, the research- University are the co-corresponding remains elusive how the zygotic epig- ers first systematically examined the authors of this work. PhD students enome is established. In addition, as genome-wide presence of H3K4me3, Bingjie Zhang and Xiaotong Wu, from early development is highly divergent H3K27ac, H3K27me3 and H3K36me3 the School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua during evolution, it is unclear wheth- in sperm, oocyte, 4-cell, 256-cell and University, and PhD student Wenhao er the epigenomic reprogramming dome stage embryos. By comparing Zhang, from the CLS-program of the modes are conserved among different the epigenomes between gametes and School of Life Sciences at Tsinghua species. Zebrafish, a non-mammalian early embryos, they found that paren- University, are the co-first authors vertebrate model, provides a chance tal epigenetic memory at enhancers of this work. The study was sup- to answer these questions due to its is quickly erased after fertilization. ported by funding from the National unique developmental features. Surprisingly, such “dememorization” Key R&D Program of China, Nation- Firstly, there are about 10 of DNA methylation signatures starts al Basic Research Program of China cell cycles before zygotic genome even earlier prior to fertilization in (973 program), the National Natural activation (ZGA), endowing an the sperm. Histone marks at paren- Science Foundation of China, funding extended time window to explore tal enhancers are already removed from the THU-PKU Center for Life the epigenetic reprogramming during by the 4-cell stage, and the reacti- Sciences and the HHMI Internation- parental-to-zygotic transition. Sec- vation of zygotic enhancers does not al Research Scholar Award, and also ondly, unlike mammals, there are occur until around ZGA. By contrast, by the animal facility, the sequencing no protamine-histone exchanges or the deposition of histone acetylation facility and the computation facility global DNA demethylation in zebraf- H3K27ac at hypomethylated regions at Tsinghua University. ish embryos. Using a combination occurs as early as the 4-cell stage, (Paper link: https://www.cell.com/ of sensitive ChIP-seq methods devel- indicating an extensive priming event molecular-cell/fulltext/S1097- oped from Wei Xie’s group (STAR in promoters prior to ZGA. Upon 2765(18)30877-3) ChIP-seq (Zhang et al., Nature, 2016)) ZGA, these promoters resolve them- and a novel genetic tool from Anming selves to become either repressed or Meng’s group (Oocyte Microinjection activated promoters. Importantly,

11NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER 3 Tsinghua professors and 16 alumni among newly elected IEEE Fellows

ecently, the Institute of Electri- of Microelectronics, Professor Sun cal and Electronics Engineers Fuchun, from the Department of R(IEEE) announced its list of the Computer Science and Technolo- newly 295 elected Fellows of 2019, gy, and Professor Yang Fan, from the which includes three professors and Department of Electronic Engineer- 16 alumni of Tsinghua University. ing. Among the 16 alumni, five of The three professors of Tsin- them currently work in China, while ghua University are: Professor 11 of them work in universities and Wei Shaojun, from the Institute research institutions abroad.

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER12 Two Tsinghua teachers and five Tsinghua alumni win HLHL Prizes 2018 The HLHL (Ho Leung Ho Lee) Prize conferral ceremony was held in Beijing on November 6th, 2018. A total of 56 scientists received this special honor. Academician Zhang Miman, researcher of the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoan- thropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, won the HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Achieve- ment, the top HLHL award this year, while 37 researchers won the HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Progress and 18 won the HLHL Prize for Scientific and Technological Inno- vation. Among them, Professor Pan Academician Yang Zhifeng and Technological Progress, and research- Feng and Academician Nie Jianguo Academician Zhou Zhicheng, all er Wu Beili, a Tsinghua University of Tsinghua University, Academician Tsinghua University alumni, won alumna, won the HLHL Prize for Sci- Xiang Tao, Academician Li Licheng, the HLHL Prize for Scientific and entific and Technological Innovation.

AUA Graduate Education Forum 2018 held at Tsinghua University AUA education experts gather at Tsinghua University to discuss the development of graduate education

On November 18th, the Asian principles behind the management Universities Alliance (AUA) Gradu- of higher education in Asia, at the ate Education Forum 2018 was held same time promoting cooperation and in the Main Building of Tsinghua innovation in the field of education. University. Education experts from In his opening speech, Yang Bin, 12 member universities of the AUA Vice President of Tsinghua Univer- gathered and carried out study on the sity, welcomed the representatives difficulties and current leading issues from the member universities of AUA in education. They also discussed the on behalf of the university. He said

13NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER that innovative, interdisciplinary and international have become matters of general concern in graduate educa- tion among the member universities of AUA. Each member university used the forum as a platform to dis- cuss important issues on the reform and development of higher education in Asia, at the same time promoting cooperation, innovation and cultural exchange in the field of higher educa- tion in Asia. Keynote speeches, round table discussions, and sub-forums on doc- toral education also took place during the forum.

Provost of Tsinghua University, and Tsinghua University Sanjay Sarma, Vice President for Open Learning at MIT, signed the LOA during the MIT China Summit becomes the pathway in Beijing. Shi Yuanchun, Dean of Tsinghua GIX Institute, Guo Wenyan, university for MIT representative from Tsinghua GIX North America, and Tracy Tan, Direc- tor of MIT MicroMasters program MicroMasters program also attended the signing ceremony. MicroMasters program is a pro- On November 13th, Tsinghua in the Chinese mainland. Within this fessional and academic credential University and the Massachusetts frame, the first cooperating institute for online learners from anywhere Institute of Technology (MIT) signed at Tsinghua is GIX for a Master of in the world. Learners who pass an a Letter of Agreement on MIT Micro- Science in Engineering degree, Data integrated set of MIT graduate-level Masters program in Beijing. Now, Science and Information Technology, courses on edX.org, and one or more Tsinghua is the first pathway univer- also known as MSE (DSIT). proctored exams, will earn a Micro- sity for MIT MicroMasters program Yang Bin, Vice President and Masters credential from MIT, and can then apply for an accelerated, on campus, master’s degree program at MIT or other top universities. MicroMasters courses offer the same learning and challenge as MIT cours- es. The MIT MicroMasters programs now have enrolled learners from 195 countries and 230 regions. Learners who successfully earn the creden- tial are eligible to earn credits at MIT and the program pathway universi- ties. This newly signed LOA provided MIT MicroMasters credential holders

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER14 of “Statistics and Data Science” an education, both Yang and Sanjay years in the greater Seattle area, and opportunity to earn Tsinghua Uni- spoke on the Summit panel “New gained valuable experience of build- versity credits, if they apply and are Visions of Education and Research ing a global education platform. accepted by Tsinghua University. for the Benefit of Humankind”, both Tsinghua GIX North America repre- The LOA was signed on the site of them mentioned the newly signed sentative Guo Wenyan said that this of MIT China Summit in Beijing, the MIT MicroMasters LOA in their agreement between Tsinghua and first of its kind. The Summit brought speeches, and pointed out that we MIT will have a very positive impact together the leaders of industry, gov- should embrace the new ideas and on Tsinghua’s globalization strate- ernment and academia, to explore innovative ideas that could benefit gy, and for MIT as well. “Tsinghua some of the most exciting topics at the next generation of talented young has always welcomed young people, the frontiers of science and tech- people, and reshape our future. who have global vision and are full nology, and the role of research and It is not an accident that the of innovative ideas, to study in Tsin- education in shaping tomorrow’s Tsinghua GIX Institute is selected ghua. We want to encourage as many world. The Summit also highlighted to provide the master’s degree pro- as possible MIT MicroMasters credit the importance of U.S.-Chinese col- gram that will connect with the MIT holders to pursue a master’s degree laborations in the effort to solve the MicroMasters program. As part of the from Tsinghua. They will not only complex challenges that the world Tsinghua global strategy, Tsinghua gain an advanced degree, but also the was facing today. GIX has been running a success- understanding of world’s two biggest As leading figures from MIT ful Dual Degree program with the markets, plus firsthand experience of and Chinese institutions of higher University of Washington for two the Chinese supply chain and manu- facturing power.”

Tsinghua University Female Basketball Team takes the women’s title at the 3x3 FISU World University League - 2018 Finals

On November 18th, the Tsinghua League is an international university University Female Basketball Team sports event initiated by the Interna- took the women’s title at the 3x3 tional University Sports Federation FISU World University League – 2018 (FISU). The 3x3 FISU World Univer- Finals after beating the basketball sity League 2018 Finals was held in team of Vasyl Stefanyk University, the Xiamen Campus of Huaqiao Uni- Ukraine, in the finals. versity from November 15th to 18th. Ma Jiaying, Yang Lu Chenhong, 32 basketball teams (16 men’s teams Song Kexin and Shi Mingyan repre- and 16 women’s teams) from 24 coun- sented Tsinghua University in the tries and regions of five continents competition. around the world participated in the The 3x3 FISU World University competition.

15NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER 500 Years of Western Paintings — Collections of Fuji Art Museum

photography, sculptures, ceramics Co-sponsored by the Tsing- and lacquer ware to armor, swords hua University Art Museum and the and medallions of various periods and Tokyo Fuji Art Museum, and support- cultures. Especially noteworthy is its ed by Chinese People’s Association outstanding collection of Western oil for Friendship with Foreign Coun- paintings that spans a five-hundred- tries and Kouzan Fin-arts Company, year period from the Renaissance to this exhibition will be held at the the Baroque and postmodernist eras, Tsinghua University Art Museum as well as its exceptional collection of from October 23rd to December 23rd, photographic masterpieces. 2018.

he Exhibition “500 Years of Western Painting” displays the Twestern paintings collected by Tokyo Fuji Art Museum. The 60 exhibits selected are divided into five sections: Personality Discovery and Humanity Promotion, Resplendent Movement and Exquisite Nostalgia, Classical Rationality and Roman- tic Emotion, Real Mirror Image and Construction of Light and Colors, and Pure Concept and Diversification. Taking time as the main narrative line and genre as the development form, it shows the developmental process Hannover Day at Tsinghua and of Western art, from Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo, realistic trend MOU Signing Ceremony Held and Classicism, to Neoclassicism and Romanticism, Realism, Impression- Leibniz University Hannover, led 18 ism and Post-Impressionism, up to professors who participated in the the modernism and post-modernism event, while Yang Bin, Vice President movements. Based on this, a 500-year of Tsinghua University, He Kebin, history of Western art from the 16th Dean of the School of Environment to 20th centuries is outlined, leading and more than 30 teachers and stu- the audience to explore the mysteries dents participated in the event. of those great times, artists and their Yang Bin, on behalf of Tsinghua works. University, welcomed the Hannover The Tokyo Fuji Art Museum delegation and introduced the history (TFAM) was founded by Daisaku On October 30th, the Hannover and recent development of Tsinghua Ikeda in 1983. The TFAM collection Day at Tsinghua and MOU Signing University. He expressed appreciation is comprised of some 30,000 Japa- Ceremony was held at the School of towards the results of the coopera- nese, Eastern and Western artworks, Environment, Tsinghua Universi- tion between the two universities and ranging from paintings, prints, ty. Volker Epping, the President of looked forward to more cooperation

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER16 projects in the future. Volker Epping introduced the research fields and outstanding achievements of Leib- niz University Hannover, hoping that Tsinghua delegation would visit and hold a Tsinghua Day in Leibniz University Hannover, while conduct- ing more in-depth cooperation and exchanges between the two univer- sities. At the meeting, He Kebin, Dean of the School of Environ- ment and Winrich Voss, Dean of

the Faculty of Civil Engineering in water treatment technology and and Geodetic Science of Leibniz promoting in-depth academic and sci- University Hannover, signed a mem- entific research exchanges between orandum of cooperation between the the teachers and students of the two two universities on behalf of their universities. respective universities, with a view to further enhancing cooperation Former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry Visits Tsinghua

On October 31st, the former U.S. at home and abroad, the college has wisdom with the students during Secretary of State, John Forbes Kerry, already successfully enrolled three his visit to Schwarzman College and visited Tsinghua University. Chen cohorts of students. further communication with the stu- Xu, the Secretary of the CPC Tsing- Chen Xu stated that Tsing- dents of Tsinghua in the future. hua Committee and the Chairperson hua University has continued to John Kerry congratulated Tsin- of the University Council, met with make progress on its global strate- ghua University on the continuous Mr. Kerry at Gongziting. gy. After having collaborated with progress that has been made in its In the meeting, Chen Xu wel- the University of Washington for the effort to develop education through comed Mr. Kerry to Tsinghua establishment of the Global Inno- international collaboration. He University and thanked him for the vation eXchange (GIX) Institute in said that Tsinghua University has great support that he has given to the Seattle and the Polytechnic Univer- Schwarzman College of Tsinghua. sity of Milan for the creation of the She stated that the college’s goal is to China-Italy Design Innovation Hub educate future leaders who, with a in Milan, the university witnessed global perspective in mind, will con- the ground-breaking ceremony for tribute to the progression of human the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center civilization. Since the beginning, (Tsinghua SEA) that recently took the program has received widespread place in Indonesia. Chen Xu hoped global attention. Right now, with the that Mr. Kerry could share his rich attention and support from people diplomatic experience and political

17NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER actively contributed to peace and Pro-Vice-Chancellor Eilís Ferran development in China and the world. In the contemporary world, countries increasingly depend on one anoth- of the University of Cambridge er. The international community faces all sorts of complex challeng- visits Tsinghua University es. While a new generation of young people prepares to start work towards achievements of Tsinghua Universi- a better future for humanity, people ty in global strategy and the recent must not forget that success comes development of the university. Yang through collaboration. It is import- Bin hoped to strengthen the coop- ant to continue the pursuit for world eration with top world universities peace and development. The former such as the University of Cambridge Secretary of State also discussed with in cultivating public management Chen Xu the enrolment of interna- talents and promoting more quality tional students, the employment of joint education and training projects graduate students and the interna- On November 2nd, Professor to contribute to achieving the United tional education of students. Eilís Ferran, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Nations Sustainable Development After the meeting, Mr. Kerry Institutional and International Rela- Goals. visited the Schwarzman College and tions of the University of Cambridge, Professor Eilís Ferran congrat- held a discussion session with stu- visited Tsinghua University. Vice ulated Tsinghua University on its dents on the topics of leadership President and Provost of Tsinghua progress in international coopera- development, climate change and the University Yang Bin met the guest at tion and exchanges. She expressed international situation in a multi-po- Gongziting and they had a discussion the hope that the University of Cam- larized global political environment. on cooperation between the two uni- bridge would be willing to further versities. cooperate with Tsinghua University During their talks, Yang Bin in areas including joint degree educa- welcomed the visit of Professor tion and public policy training. Ferran and introduced the recent

Wang Yunxiao of Tsinghua University Academy of Arts and Design wins first prize in the Stanislav Libensky Award 2018

On October 20th, the kiln glass the Stanislav Libensky Award 2018, Donghai is his tutor. work “Succulent plan-Individual including Wang Yunxiao and Li The Stanislav Libensky Award diversity” by Wang Yunxiao, a grad- Chengyu from the Tsinghua Univer- (established in 2009) is a glass art uate student from the Department of sity Academy of Arts and Design. award named after Stanislav Liben- Arts and Crafts of the Tsinghua Uni- Wang Yunxiao is an undergraduate sky, the late Czech glasswork artist. versity Academy of Arts and Design, student of 2014 and a graduate student Held annually, it is the world’s only won first prize in the Stanislav Liben- of 2018 in the Department of Arts and international glass exhibition with sky Award 2018. Crafts of Tsinghua University Acade- a graduate call for entry. The aim of A total of 35 young artists from my of Arts and Design, majoring in the competition is to help the devel- 17 countries were nominated for glass art. Associate Professor Guan opment of glass art in the young and

TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER | NONEMBER18 to compare different approaches and methods. The work of 2018 award finalists will be exhibited from Sep- tember 20th until November 19th at the Prague Contemporary Art Center, Czech Republic.

Photos featuring life at Tsinghua attract locals

ast week, London had a glimpse Innovation eXchange (GIX) Institute, of what life is like at Tsinghua, Schwarzman College, Asian Uni- Lthanks to the photograph exhi- versities Alliance (AUA), Tsinghua bition that the Tsinghua Global University Art Museum as well as the Communication Office put on, beautiful scenery and colorful life on together with the Confucius Insti- campus. of the People’s Republic of China in tute for Business London (CIBL). Over “On behalf of the Embassy of the UK. fifty photos were selected to present People’s Republic of China in UK, I “The photos displayed are fan- Tsinghua and promote the university would like to share our warmest wel- tastic. I just started to learn Chinese, on a global stage. come to Tsinghua’s visit and your because I would like to know more Titled “Where History Meets effort in introducing one of the most about Chinese opera. After seeing the Future: Opportunities from Tsin- prestigious universities in China. this exhibition, I am even more look- ghua, China”, the exhibition follows As China and UK communicate and ing forward to my language learning up the most recent developments by cooperate more closely these days, it experience ahead,” said Phoebe Tsinghua, including Tsinghua South- is important that people of the two Haines, an opera singer and Cam- east Asia Center, China-Italy Design countries know and understand each bridge University alumna. Innovation Hub, Tsinghua-Berke- other,” said Ruan Shao, Secretary of ley Shenzhen Institute, Global the Education Section of the Embassy

19NOVEMBER| TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY NEWSLETTER