A commendation conference for role models in the fight against COVID-19 kicks off in Beijing on Sept 29. [Photo/thholding.com]

A conference to commend the role models in the fight against the COVID-19 epidemic was held in Beijing on Sept 29.

Cheng Jing, president of Tsinghua Holdings’ subsidiary CapitalBio Corporation, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chair professor of Tsinghua University, was honored as an advanced individual for his efforts throughout the anti-epidemic battle.

Cheng Jing, president of Tsinghua Holdings’ subsidiary CapitalBio Corporation, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and chair professor of Tsinghua University, is interviewed at the awarding ceremony. [Photo/BTV]

Under Cheng's leadership, Tsinghua University and CapitalBio teams cooperated to develop an integrated chip system and a mobile lab for nucleic acid detection.

With these technologies, nucleic acid detection can be completed in a fully enclosed and highly sensitive environment within just 45 minutes, reducing the risk of infection and false results. The detection system is expected to obtain the National Medical Device Registration Certificate and be put into use in October.

A rendering of the integrated nucleic acid detection chip system [Photo/thholding.com]

A rendering of the mobile lab for nucleic acid detection [Photo/thholding.com]

At this year’s two sessions, Cheng put forward a proposal for a surveillance network for major epidemics to promote the early warning and prediction mechanisms for epidemic prevention.

Design sketch of the surveillance network for major epidemics [Photo/thholding.com]

In June, a cluster of COVID-19 infections broke out in Beijing. In response to the call from the Beijing Municipal Health Commission, Cheng led his team to the frontline -including the Xinfadi market site- and completed a total of 950,000 nucleic acid tests, building a solid line of defense for the city, and helping Beijing overcome the epidemic quickly.

Meanwhile, 13 branches of the CapitalBio third-party inspection chain have acquired nucleic acid detection qualification. To date, more than 4 million tests have been completed nationwide.

During the outbreak, the inspection teams made outstanding contributions to offering nucleic acid testing for key population groups across the country and to helping the resumption of business production and studies.

As early as the end of 2019, Cheng led some teachers and students from Tsinghua University and CapitalBio’s team in rapid scientific research. In just one week, they developed a respiratory poly-virus nucleic acid detection chip system that can finish the test including COVID-19 within 1.5 hours.

In addition, they donated 12,000 chip kits to Wuhan. These played an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of clinical patients.

Over the past two decades, Cheng and his team have taken the lead in every major national public health emergency, such as the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008. During this period, Cheng and his team have achieved the rapid development of China’s biochip technology.