On October 16, 2021, the 2021 International Conference on Endoplasmic Reticulum Protein Homeostasis and Disease (Online and Offline), hosted by the School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, was held in the Academic Lecture Hall of Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology. Professors Ling Qi, Xi Chen, Fahri Saatcioglu, Yong Liu, Junjie Hu, Ronggui Hu, Jing Qu, Lei Wang, Likun Wang, Zairong Zhang, Ningning Li and other established Chinese and international experts were invited to the symposium. The symposium aims to further promote academic exchanges and collaboration and jointly promote innovation and development in environmental health and cellular homeostasis.

The event attracted worldwide attention, with many experts, scholars, teachers, and students from China and abroad. Online channels were opened simultaneously. Xia Sheng, Associate Professor of School of Public Health, Tongji Medical College, chaired the meeting.

Mr. Qiusheng Chen, Director of Department of Medical Science and Engineering of HUST, and Party Secretary of the School of Public Health opened the meeting with a welcome speech. Chen said the 19^th CPC National Congress made essential decisions and planned to implement the "Healthy China" strategy, which fully reflects the firm determination of the Party and the government to safeguard people's health. A healthy environment is an important guarantee for people's health and a critical measure to implement the Healthy China strategy. Environmental factors play an important role in health and disease. The environment here refers to both the global environment and the microenvironment wherein cells and tissues reside. We look forward to a new chapter in the field of environmental health and cellular stress response through in-depth discussions and win-win cooperation.

Professor Ling Qi from the University of Michigan and Professor Xi Chen from Baylor College of Medicine delivered online presentations on the molecular mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD) and its role in hematopoietic stem cell development in the first session, which was hosted by Professor Yong Liu from School of Life Sciences, Wuhan University. After a short tea break, the second session was hosted by Hu Junjie, Professor at the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Professor Yong Liu of Wuhan University introduced a series of original results of his group on the role of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response signaling pathway in regulating adipose tissue metabolism. Jing Qu, Professor at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented important evidence of her team's systematic work on organ and cell aging and the role of the ER in regulating aging. Lei Wang, Professor at the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, elaborated on the vital role of ER in physiological and pathological states from the perspective of oxidative stress homeostasis regulation. Professor Likun Wang from the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented the latest results of his research group in the direction of unfolded protein response (UPR) and tumor immunity.              

In the afternoon, Professor Junjie Hu from the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented his key breakthroughs in the structure and function of the ER on the theme of ER shaping and reassembling. Professor Fahri Saatcioglu from the University of Oslo, Norway, introduced the mechanism of action of different UPR signaling pathways in the progression of prostate cancer and the value of targeted therapy. Ningning Li, Associate Professor at the Seventh Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, explored the mechanism of targeting ER stress signaling to treat glioma. The final session was hosted by Profesor Jing Qu, where professor Ronggui Hu from the Center for Excellence and Innovation in Molecular and Cellular Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, gave a comprehensive introduction on the regulation mechanism of proteostasis, ubiquitination, and degradation in autism-spectrum diseases. Lastly, Professor Zairong Zhang, the Center for Interdisciplinary Research of Biology and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, presented his latest biochemical study on the mechanism of membrane protein degradation within the ER.

The meeting atmosphere was enthusiastic, and each report triggered a lively discussion and interaction between presenters and the audience. In the end, the meeting organizer Xia Sheng gave a closing speech and summarized the molecular mechanism of ER in regulating proteostasis and its relationship with health and diseases. As expected and planned, the 2021 International Symposium on Endoplasmic Reticulum Proteostasis and Diseases reached a successful conclusion. The conference gathered some of the leading domestic and international experts, discussed the latest research progress and development trend in the field of ER stress from multiple perspectives, expanded the academic horizon for the participants, and provided new insights into the field of environmental health and cellular stress response. The success of this conference is believed to be the beginning of many future high-standard exchanges and collaboration.