iHuman Institute, affiliated with ShanghaiTech University, is an international, high-level research institution aimed at serving as a window to understand the flourishing life science research in Shanghai. The institute is committed to pioneering basic science and drug discovery research in G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), fostering interdisciplinary collaborations, nurturing the next generation of scientists and entrepreneurs, and accelerating the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications.
The iHuman Institute comprises interdisciplinary research teams in structural biology, molecular pharmacology, chemical biology, neuroscience, cell biology, computational biology and artificial intelligence, medicinal chemistry, and drug discovery and translational research. Additionally, the institute has established high-level research platforms such as high-throughput screening, ultra-high resolution imaging, cryo-electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and high-performance computing. These research groups and platforms collaborate closely across different fields, striving for excellence, integrity, and impact in research, education, and translation.
iHuman Vision:
To drive transformative advancements in GPCR science and drug discovery through innovative research paradigms and technological breakthroughs. The institute envisions a future where the continuous development of novel therapeutics targeting GPCRs contributes to the advancement of human health.
iHuman Goals:
Science and Technology Innovation: Develop cutting-edge interdisciplinary technologies, leveraging artificial intelligence and other technologies, particularly in the fields of cryo-electron tomography, structural biology, chemical biology, and molecular pharmacology, to accelerate the discovery of new GPCR targets, mechanisms, and drug candidates.
Education: Train the next generation of scientists and future leaders in the fields of GPCR biology, drug discovery, and translational medicine.
Translational Research: Focus on GPCR-targeted drug therapies and cell therapies for metabolic diseases and central nervous system diseases; establish strategic partnerships with industry and clinical partners to facilitate the translation of scientific discoveries into clinical applications and therapeutic interventions.
