Upon the invitation of the European Histamine Research Society (EHRS) and Professor Rob Leurs from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and with approval from the People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, Chen Zhong, President of ZCMU, led a delegation of five to Italy and the Netherlands from May 23 to 29 for academic exchange. The delegation primarily attended the 51st Meeting of the EHRS at the Accademia di Medicina di Torino, and enhanced friendly exchanges with the EHRS, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and the Netherlands Brain Bank. The visit also helped to forge a collaboration with the Accademia di Medicina di Torino, University of Florence, and Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

From May 23 to 25, Chen Zhong participated in the 51st Meeting of the EHRS in Turin, Italy. He delivered a keynote speech titled “The Pharmacological Roles of Histamine Receptors” which delved into the potential of the histamine system in treating neuropsychiatric disorders. His presentation received high praise from attending experts and opened up new avenues for future international cooperation. He also announced the upcoming International Histamine and Receptor Symposium to be held in Hangzhou next year, and invited attending renowned international experts to participate.

The four team members accompanying Chen Zhong each presented at breakout sessions, and shared the latest research findings on the construction of histaminergic neural projection networks and the roles of histamine receptors in various diseases. Their presentations highlighted ZCMU’s profound achievements and widespread influence in scientific innovation.

On May 25, Professors M. Beatrice Passani and Gustavo Provensi from the Section of Clinical Pharmacology and Oncology, Department of Health Sciences, University of Florence engaged in discussions with Chen Zhong and his team members. They exchanged in-depth views on initiating potential international collaboration projects and teachers’ and students’ exchange programs.

On May 27, at the invitation of Professor Rob Leurs, Chen Zhong delivered a lecture titled “The Roles of Histaminergic Neural Circuits in the Precise Regulation of CNS Disorders and Its Mechanisms” at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The lecture, hosted by Professor Leurs, saw active participation from nearly a hundred students and faculty members, with a particularly lively Q&A session. Following the lecture, Professor Rob Leurs, Chen Zhong and his team members visited the university’s world-renowned G-protein-coupled receptor compound library. They conducted in-depth discussions on the efficient screening strategies, underlying mechanisms of histamine receptor compounds, and their extensive applications in drug development.

On May 28, at the invitation of Professor Dick Swaab, founder of the Netherlands Brain Bank, Chen Zhong and his team members visited the world-class brain science research institution. They thoroughly examined the processes from precise sample collection and high-standard preservation to strict application and scientific utilization. The discussion of both sides encompassed the forefront trends in neuroscience research, technology sharing, data exchange, talent cultivation, etc., which helped to pave new ways for deepening Sino-Dutch collaboration in neuroscience.

This European academic journey not only showcased the ZCMU’s research capabilities and international influence but also marked a pivotal stride in advancing traditional Chinese medicine onto the global scientific stage. Chen Zhong and his team members have injected a new impetus into global cooperation in health science research, and opened a new chapter in Sino-European medical research collaboration.