The ICMRS 2024 membership meeting was successfully held virtually on October 19 (Beijing time), with around 400 members joining the event.

President-elect Dr. Wentian Yang hosted the meeting, welcoming all attendees and delivering opening remarks. He briefly introduced the society and highlighted the importance of membership meetings for society's development. He specifically encouraged non-member attendees to join the society to maximize their membership benefits.

Next, ICMRS President Dr. Guozhi Xiao summarized the key achievements of the society over the past year. Notably, the society successfully hosted the ICMRC 2024 conference in Jinjiang, the first ICMRC after 2019. Dr. Xiao addressed the current membership situation and highlighted the importance of establishing closer interactions with sister societies to promote ICMRS international development. He also encouraged ICMRS members to participate actively in society activities and maintain high standards and academic integrity in musculoskeletal research. At the end of his presentation, Dr. Xiao announced the 2024 awardees of ICMRS distinguished awards. 

ICMRS BOD Director Dr. Jean Jiang then briefly introduced the amendments to the ICMRS bylaws, which were passed unanimously by the attended members.

Afterward, Dr. Lidan You from Queen's University announced the Webster Jee Young Investigator Award winners and moderated the awardees' presentations. This year, the awards went to Jianguo Tao from the Zhejiang University – Westlake University Joint Training Program, Meagan Makarczyk from the University of Pittsburgh, and Hang Zhou from the Southern University of Science and Technology in China. They each delivered a 5-minute talk summarizing their outstanding work, followed by a brief discussion.

This year's keynote speeches were given by two world-renowned scientists, Dr. Matt Greenblatt from Cornell University and Dr. Fanxin Long from the University of Pennsylvania. They shared the latest skeletal stem cell biology findings and bone glucose metabolism research, respectively. 

The meeting concluded with a reflection on ICMRS's 30th anniversary. ICMRS lifetime members and former leaders, Drs. Hong Zhou, Yi-Xian Qin, and David Ke, shared their emotional memories about the society's development since it was founded in 1993. They highlighted some important milestones, such as collaborations, leadership changes, revisions to the constitution, and name evolution, and offered their perspective on ICMRS's future. 

Lifetime Achievement Award

Changsheng Liu

Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Shanghai University

Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award 

Changqing Zhang

Shanghai Jiaotong University Medical School

Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital

Distinguished Translational Research Investigator Award 

Ling Qin

Chinese University of Hong Kong

Distinguished Basic Research Investigator Award

Jean Jiang

University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio

Distinguished Service Medal 

Hang Lin

University of Pittsburgh

Webster Jee Young Investigator Award

Jianguo Tao, Zhejiang University-Westlake University

Meagan Makarczyk, University of Pittsburgh

Hang Zhou, Southern University of Science and Technology

On September 27, 2024, members of the International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (ICMRS) gathered for a special dinner at Lee Chen Bistro in Toronto during the 2024 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR) Annual Conference. The event brought together 63 esteemed professors and students from across the globe, including the United States, Canada, Europe, and China, to celebrate scientific achievements and nurture long-standing friendships.

The two-hour event was filled with energy and excitement, as attendees exchanged stories about their research breakthroughs and reflected on the shared passion for advancing science. Lively conversations flowed, with participants eager to discuss the progress of their work and the collaborative spirit that has defined the ICMRS community.

Among the notable attendees were key leaders of ICMRS, including Jean Jiang, Wentian Yang, Yixian Qin, and Hang Lin. Joining them were some of the top elite scientists in the field, such as Weibo Xia, Yinzi Yang, Xu Cao, David Ke and Fanxing Long, whose presence added a special touch to the evening.

In addition to these distinguished figures, the event also welcomed a new generation of young students who showed great enthusiasm for ICMRS and its mission. These students, eager to engage with the society’s members, expressed their interest in contributing to the ongoing scientific exploration that defines ICMRS.

The dinner was not only an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of seasoned researchers but also a platform for fostering the future of musculoskeletal research. The blend of experience and new talent created an atmosphere of mutual respect and inspiration, ensuring that the ICMRS remains at the forefront of global scientific discovery.

As the evening drew to a close, attendees left with a renewed sense of purpose, excited for the future of their research and the lasting connections that ICMRS continues to foster within the global scientific community.

The International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (ICMRS), joined by the National Centre of Orthopaedics at Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital, HEMIN Foundation, and Fujian Jinjiang People's Hospital, successfully held the 5^th International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Conference (ICMRC-2024) in Jinjiang, China from May 31 to June 3, 2024. This conference was chaired by ICMRS president Prof. Guozhi Xiao and co-chaired by Profs. Changqing Zhang, Jean Jiang, Changsheng Liu, Xing Ma, and Ming Chen. The conference focused on the theme, "Embracing Cutting-edge Cell and Molecular Biotechnologies and Material Sciences to Advance Basic and Translational Orthopedic Research." Nearly 1000 delegates from all over the world participated in this event, providing an excellent platform for thought-provoking discussions, innovative ideas, and collaborative efforts to advance orthopaedic research.

In their opening remarks, the conference chairs, Profs. Guozhi Xiao and Changqing Zhang, extended a heartfelt welcome to esteemed experts from across the globe, acknowledging their longstanding support for ICMRS, and a sincere appreciation to the distinguished guests, sponsors, and members of the scientific and organizing committees for their invaluable support. They also highlighted the potential impact of the conference on advancing the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of skeletal disorders and on future orthopaedic research locally and nationally. On behalf of ICMRS, Prof. Guozhi Xiao overviewed the society’s rich history and current standing, delving into the significance of previous ICMRCs.

The conference received about 600 abstracts. More than 110 invited speakers and distinguished scholars delivered speeches at the ICMRC-2024, including Profs. Changsheng Liu at Shanghai University, Tamara Alliston at the University of California San Francisco, Cao Xu at Johns Hopkins University, Eben Alsberg at the University of Illinois Chicago, Changqing Zhang at the Sixth People's Hospital of Shanghai Jiaotong University, Regis J. Okeefe at Washington University, Chuanju Liu at Yale University, Edward Guo at Columbia University, David Ke at Angitia Biopharmaceuticals, and Ling Qin at the University of Pennsylvania.

During the three-day conference, participants engaged in a wide range of concurrent sessions and symposiums. The conference comprised three basic science venues and one clinical venue, covering a variety of hot topics, including musculoskeletal development and aging, joint biology and osteoarthritis, mechanobiology and biomechanics, bone metabolism and osteoporosis, nerve regulation of bone, joint disorders and pain, bone tumor, intervertebral disc and spine degeneration, tendon and ligaments, muscle, biomaterials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and drug development and clinical applications.

At the closing ceremony, one President's Award (to Tailin He), 28 Young Investigator Awards, and 58 Travel Awards were given to the conference attendees to recognize the excellent scientific merit of their poster and podium presentations (see the appendix for the awardee list).

Lastly, the ICMRS celebrated its 30^th anniversary and shared an optimistic outlook.

ICMRC-2024 concludes another successful orthopaedic research event hosted by ICMRS, following the previous ICMRCs held in Suzhou (2013), Changsha (2015), Shihezi (2017), and Shenzhen (2019). The rapid growth of the conference participants reflects the continuous expansion of our community and its multidisciplinary orthopaedic research, as well as the growing academic impact of ICMRS.

Please see conference photos here!

ICMRC-2024 Awardee list:

Young Investigator Award: Ge Qinwen, Guo Jiangbo, Hao Xue, He Chen, Ji Luli, Ji Zhongyin, Kuang Biao, Li Hui, Li Jiaying, Li Xing, Li Zan, Liang Tongzhou, Liu Yu, Liu Yuhang, Lu Jiawei, Ma Yiyang, Peng Rui, Ren Youliang, Shi Jie, Sun Hao, Tang Chenqi, Tao Jianguo, Wang Shaoyi, Yang Baoqiang, Yang Huiliang, Yang Jiaming, Yu Chao, and Zhang Xiurui.

Travel Award：Cai Dawei, Chen Cui, Chen Ming, Chen Qizhu, Cheng Pengzhen, Deng Rui, Du Hao, Du Yuhan, Feng Naibo, Feng Shiyang, Fu Ruisen, Gu Chenhui, Hang Minghui, He Xu, Hu Xianli, Huang Jiahui, Huang Jie, Jiang Hewen, Kong Xiangxi, Li Qiwen, Lin Junyu, Liu Hongzhi, Liu Shibo, Liu Xiaowei, Liu Yihao, Mei Hongxiang, Nie Maodan, Qiu Cheng, Ru Kang, Song Shiju, Sun Siyuan, Tao Yining, Tian Weiyu, Wang Jianhao, Wang Lianlei, Wang Luyao, Wang Xiaogang, Wang Zheng , Wei Yuxuan, Wu Chenyu, Xie Jing, Xu Chunmei, Xu Yiyang, Yan Jianfei, Yan Wenjin, Yang Xinyu, Yao Meng, Yao Pengling, Yuan Xuhui, Zhang Min, Zhang Ruizhi, Zhang Weifeng, Zhang Yuantao, Zheng Guan, Zhu Ce, and Zhu Zhenglin.

ICMRS is proud to call for nominations of five award opportunities with honorarium. These awards are aimed to recognize the research excellency and outstanding service of our members:

1) Lifetime Achievement Award 

2) Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award

3) Distinguished Translational Research Investigator Award

4) Distinguished Basic Science Research Investigator Award

5) Service Medal

Please ICMRS Awards 2024.pdf for more information and nomination instructions on each award. All ICMRS members are eligible to receive an award, except as restricted by specific award criteria. he deadline to submit your nomination package to ICMRS@icmrs.net is Saturday, Aug 31, 2024. We will announce the final awardees and celebrated their achievements in 2024 ICMRS Fall Membership Meeting!

On February 3rd, the International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (ICMRS) hosted a vibrant dinner event at George's Greek Cafe in Long Beach, California. Attended by 52 enthusiastic members, including honorary, lifetime, regular, and student members, the evening served as a platform for camaraderie and networking.

Members from various corners of the globe, including the United States, China, and Canada, gathered at the event, exuding joy as they reunited with old acquaintances and forged new connections within the musculoskeletal research community.

The lively atmosphere of George's Greek Cafe provided the perfect backdrop for attendees to engage in stimulating conversations, exchange ideas, and share experiences in the field of musculoskeletal research. Laughter echoed throughout the venue as guests bonded over their shared passion for advancing orthopedic science.

"This dinner event is not only a chance to catch up with colleagues but also an opportunity to foster collaboration and innovation in our field," remarked one attendee, reflecting the sentiment shared by many.

As plates were cleared and conversation continues, it was evident that the ICMRS dinner event had successfully achieved its goal of bringing together like-minded individuals dedicated to advancing musculoskeletal research worldwide.

With hearts full of gratitude and anticipation for future gatherings, attendees bid farewell, carrying with them cherished memories of an evening filled with friendship, camaraderie, and shared passion for scientific excellence.

As the night drew to a close, the ICMRS dinner event stood as a testament to the organization's commitment to fostering a global community of musculoskeletal researchers united in their quest for scientific advancement and collaboration.

ICMRS Communication Committee

Delighted , members from Toronto

Welcome, new friends from Hangzhou

Smile, members from China

Happy, our lifetime members

Honored, our distinguished Professor Savio Woo

Cheers, our brilliant young members 

The Scientific Program Committee and Organizing Committee for the the 5th International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Conference (ICMRC) (ICMRC-2024) were formed. The ICMRC-2024 will be held in Jinjiang, China, from May 31st to June 3rd, 2024. Abstract submission will be closed on February 15, 2024. Please refer to the conference website (ICMRC-2024) for the latest information. 

Organizers

International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (ICMRS)

Shanghai Jiaotong University Sixth Peoples’ Hospital

Co-organizers

Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital at Jinjiang

HEMIN Foundation

Conference Presidents: Guozhi Xiao, Changqing Zhang, Jean Jiang, Xing Ma, Ming Chen

Co-Chairs: Minghao Zheng, Yi-Xian Qin, Qin Ling (HK), Tingting Tang, Xu Cao, and David Ke

Scientific Program Committee Chairs: Wentian Yang, Qin Ling (USA), Bin Li, Xiaoling Zhang

Members (by last name): Xiaochun Bai, Liming Bian, Daozhang Cai, Zhengdong Cai, Li Cao, Xu Cao, Jiang Chang, Lei Chen, Di Chen, Lin Chen, Qian Chen, Xiaofeng Chen, Liao Cui, Lianfu Deng, X. Neil Dong, Cunyi Fan, Shunwu Fan, Shiqing Feng, X. Edward Guo, Qiang Ji, Qing Jiang, David Ke, Yuxiao Lai, Gang Li, Yiping Li, Changsheng Liu, Chuanju Liu, Sherry Liu, Xianghang Luo, Jian Luo, Zhuojing Luo, Hongbin Lv, Peter Ma, Hongwei Ouyang, Haobo Pan, Guoxian Pei, Jiang Peng, Peng Shao, Zengwu Shao, Chenhui Shi, Meishu Shih, Chunli Song, Jiacan Su, Fudi Wang, James H-C. Wang, Xiangyang Wang, Yongjun Wang, Weibo Xia, Yin Xiao, Huiqi Xie, Jiake Xu, Youjia Xu, Huilin Yang, Jian Yang, Ke Yang, Lei Yang, Zhangmin Ye, Bin Yu, Ming Zhang, Ping Zhang, Shengmin Zhang, Xinping Zhang, Dewei Zhao, Cheng-Kung Zheng, Hong Zhou, Xuedong Zhou, Weiguo Zou, Xuenong Zou

Organizing Committee Chairs: Hang Lin, Liu Yang, Huiling Cao,

Members (by last name): Keming Chen, Yue Ding, Shiwu Dong, Weili Fu, Xieli Guo, Oscar Kuang-Sheng Lee, Jiliang Li, Lucas Lu, Dengshun Miao, Guoqing Pan, Songlin Peng, Bing Wang, Liyun Wang, Weishan Wang, Jun Wu, Zhihong Wu, Ren Xu, Jinglong Yan, Hui Yang, Kelvin Yeung, Wei Yao, Lidan You, Zhifeng Yu, Baozhi Yuan, , Zhiyong Zhang, Jingshan Zhang, Yiting Zhou, Feng Zhu

Secretary-General: Junjie Gao（ICMRC2024@163.com）

Secretaries: Jiahua Lin, Yashi Guo，Huiliang Yang

Abstract submissions for the ICMRC-2024 are now open with the deadline of February 15, 2024! Please ensure that you refer to the abstract guidelines when preparing your abstract(s). The ICMRC-2024 will be held in Jinjiang, China, from May 31st to June 3rd, 2024.

Abstracts received by the deadline will be considered for either podium or poster presentation. All accepted abstracts will be notified by March 15th, 2024.

If you require assistance or have any concerns about the abstract submission process, please contact us at ICMRS@icmrs.net. 

Click here to submit an abstract.

The International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Conference (ICMRC) is a biennial international academic conference organized by the International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (ICMRS). The ICMRC aims to promote basic and translational orthopedic research and to improve the diagnosis, treatment, and comprehensive prevention of major musculoskeletal diseases through academic dialogue, research collaboration among domestic and foreign colleagues, and ICMRS collaborative centers. Following the success of previous ICMRCs in Suzhou, Changsha, Shihezi, and Shenzheng, the 5^th ICMRC (ICMRC-2024) will be held in Jinjiang, a historic yet vibrant city in southern China, from May 31 to June 3, 2024. ICMRS, the National Orthopaedic Research Centre at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Sixth People’s Hospital, and Fujian Jinjiang People’s Hospital will jointly host this conference.

The ICMRC-2024 will be chaired by ICMRS president Professor Guozhi Xiao, and Professors Changqing Zhang, Jean Jiang, and Ming Chen. The theme of this meeting is “Embracing Cutting-edge Cell and Molecular Biotechnologies and Material Sciences to Advance Basic and Translational Orthopedic Research.” The conference will cover topics including bone metabolism, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, disc and vertebrate degeneration, musculoskeletal development and degeneration, tendon and ligament biology, stem cell and tissue engineering, biomaterials, biomechanics, bone tumor and the application of new technologies in the orthopedic field. Abstract submission will open on January 1 and close on February 15, 2024, USA Eastern time. Leading scientists from the United States, Canada, Australia, European countries, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Mainland China will be invited to share their exciting findings and insights. This conference will feature exciting programs, including presentations, symposia, and best abstract and young investigator awards, to facilitate the discussion of state-of-the-art musculoskeletal research and clinical applications.

Welcome to ICMRS-2024!

International Chinese Musculoskeletal Research Society (ICMRS) is pleased to announce the first inaugural scientific awards to our members who have made outstanding contributions to their scientific and professional career in musculoskeletal science and medicine.

2023 Lifetime Achievement Award

The ICMRS Lifetime Achievement Award is to honor a scholar who has devoted much of his/her career to the advancement in musculoskeletal science and medicine. Throughout their career the awardee has demonstrated the scientific excellence in research and innovation and provided mentorship and in their leadership, service, education, and professional relationships. This prestigious award honors an individual who is a basic researcher and/or clinician in the field of musculoskeletal medicine.

Prof. Kerong Dai, MD, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine

The ICMRS Lifetime Achievement Award has been honored to Prof. Dai Kerong Dai, MD, Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, who has made substantial contributions in the areas of medical application of Orthopedic Biomechanics, 3D Bioprinting, Stem Cell Engineering, Arthroplasty, and Osteoporosis. He has published more than 500 papers as first author and co-author and books as editor-in-chief or contributor, and also have been honored with 45 prizes including Chinese National Invention Prize, National Science and Technology Prize, etc. He is the chief scientist of Shanghai Medical 3D Printing Innovation Research Center. He and his team have carried out a series of basic and clinical research on stem cell technology to promote bone regeneration and participated in the invention and translation of related research into clinical application (NMPA 20213101079). The 3D printing center also witness the China first registration certificate for 3D printed personalized artificial bone joint prosthesis (NMPA 3050065: 2003) and the world’s first 3D printed bioactive bone grafts for clinical application.

2023 Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award

The Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award is awarded to a clinical scientist making outstanding contributions to the field of clinical management of musculoskeletal diseases including surgical management and therapeutics, epidemiology and health-services research and clinical outcomes. The awardees should be established Investigators who are at the full professor level. This research should have been conducted within the last five years. 

Prof. Qing Jiang, MD, PhD, at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University

The Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award has been honored to Professor Qing Jiang, MD, PhD, at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University, who is Orthopedic consultant who has been practicing medicine for 34 years and performed more than 20,000 surgeries and treated more than 100,000 patients. He had been engaged in orthopedic and sports medicine clinical and basic research since 1989. Prof. Jiang Mainly engaged in the basic and clinical research of sports system diseases, and published 243 Chinese core articles, 289 SCI articles, included Nature Medicine, Nature Genetic, Nature Communications, Cell Metabolism, PNAS, Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, Science Translational Medicine, Advanced Materials, ACS NANO etc. Prof. Jiang is the editorial board member of several SCI magazines, include BMC musculoskeletal disorders, Osteoarthritis and Cartilage and Orthopedic Surgery, and created an English magazine Annals of Joint as the chief editor. He led the preparation of the guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis, and also participated in the preparation of several domestic orthopedics guides and was invited to give lessons in Australia and Japan for many times.

2023 Distinguished Translational Research Investigator Award

The Distinguished Translational Research Investigator Award is awarded to a scientist and/or clinician who has made outstanding contributions and impact to the field of musculoskeletal research by translating a research concept or idea into clinical application. The awardees should be established Investigators who are at the full professor level. Considering the length of research translation from concept to product approval or clinical trial normally takes a long time, there will be no limit on when the research is conducted.

Dr Hua Zhu (David) Ke, Founder and CEO, Angitia Biopharmaceuticals

The Distinguished Translational Research Investigator Award has been honored to Dr Hua Zhu (David) Ke, Founder and CEO, Angitia Biopharmaceuticals, who has dedicated all his efforts on the discovery and development of innovative drugs for treatment of serious musculoskeletal diseases for the last 30 years. Before founding Angitia in 2018, David served as Vice President and the Head of Bone Therapeutic Area in UCB Pharma in the United Kingdom, and Scientific Executive Director and Head of Bone Research in Amgen Inc. in the United States, and Research Fellow and Head of Bone Pharmacology in Pfizer Central Research and Development in the United States. As one of the major contributors, David led his teams to the successful discover and development of blockbuster innovative drugs for treatment of serious bone diseases that have been launched in United States, Europe, Japan, China, and other parts of the world. These innovative drugs included Prolia (osteoporosis), Xgeva (bone metastases) and Evenity (osteoporosis).

2023 Distinguished Basic Research Investigator Award

The Distinguished Clinical Research Investigator is awarded to a basic scientist who has made outstanding contributions to the field of musculoskeletal research in all areas of basic science including biology, bioengineering and biomaterials. The awardees should be established. Investigators who are at the full professor level. This research should have been conducted within the last five years. 

Prof. Xu Cao, PhD at Johns Hopkins University

The Distinguished Clinical Investigator Award has been honored to Professor Xu Cao, PhD at Johns Hopkins University, who has strived to discover the fundamental mechanisms of bone biology to gain a deeper understanding of major musculoskeletal disorders and develop potential therapies for these bone diseases. We have revealed the coupling mechanism of bone remodeling in the maintenance of bone homeostasis, in which TGF-β activated by osteoclasts induces migration of mesenchymal stem cells to bone resorptive sites for bone formation. The recruited mesenchymal stem cells then undergo differentiation for bone formation. The coupled bone remodeling by TGF-β is associated with angiogenesis. Alterations in the coupling process in bone remodeling leads to many skeletal diseases. Our research in those fields has been published in Cell Stem Cell, Nat Med., Nat Commun., J Clin Invest. etc. We have organized and planned several clinical trials to investigate topics such as stem cell recruitment in anabolic versus antiresorptive osteoporosis therapy. We have also screened and synthesized a series of small molecules for osteoarthritis and spine disc degeneration. Our goal is to create effective disease-modifying therapies to treat osteoarthritis, spine disc generation, and other major skeletal diseases.

Minghao Zheng, MD, PhD, President of ICMRS (2021-2023)

Medical School, The University of Western Australia, WA, 6009

Minghao.zheng@uwa.edu.au