XIAMEN, July 18 (Xinhua) -- A research team from the Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, in east China's Fujian Province, recently identified a novel human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele, a discovery that holds significant value for both clinical therapeutics and fundamental biomedical research.The World Health Organization (WHO) has assigned the novel allele the official designation HLA-DQB1*03:03:38. The complete registration information of this gene is now available in global public genomic databases, while the research findings have been published in the international journal HLA.Industry experts noted that this discovery enriches the global repertoire of HLA genes and provides a new reference point for research in immunology, clinical safety and precision medicine.The HLA system is a cluster of genes located on chromosome 6 and represents one of the most polymorphic and structurally complex genetic systems in the human body, often described as a unique genetic ID card.The HLA system comprises dozens of loci, each with multiple alleles ranging from a few to over ten thousand. The global total of identified HLA alleles has now exceeded 45,000.The novel allele was detected during routine blood testing of a healthy woman whose HLA antibody screening returned positive. With her consent, the team further analyzed her HLA genes and found that the sequenced results deviated from all known alleles, according to Lyu Xiaoying, a member of the research team.To rule out errors, the team used nanopore sequencing technology to check the basic genetic code through multiple rounds of testing. After cross-referencing with global gene repositories, they confirmed that the allele had never been documented worldwide.The discovery also holds practical value. A new allele entry increases the chances of finding suitable matches for patients awaiting kidney or bone marrow stem cell transplants, and helps doctors better predict post-operative rejection risks.It also offers ...

Local health authorities have been making every effort to provide medical treatment for the injured and carry out post-disaster health and disease prevention work after a deadly landslide struck Hanjia subdistrict in Pengshui Miao and Tujia autonomous county, Southwest China's Chongqing

SHANGHAI, July 18 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Limpho Tau, minister of foreign affairs and international relations of Lesotho, in Shanghai on Saturday.Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, welcomed Tau, who is in China to attend the World Artificial Intelligence Conference and sign an agreement on establishing the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO) on behalf of the Lesotho government.In the development of AI, no country should fall behind, Wang said, adding that China's initiative to establish the WAICO was to enhance the capacity building of Global South countries, promote the positive development of AI, and benefit all mankind.Wang said China is willing to encourage Chinese enterprises to invest and start businesses in Lesotho, welcome more characteristic products of Lesotho to enter the Chinese market, and promote bilateral relations towards broader fields and higher levels.Tau said Lesotho is very honored to be a founding member of the organization. He added that Lesotho looks forward to actively participating in the construction of the organization, contributing to the country's economic development, and safeguarding the common rights and interests of the Global South countries.The Lesotho side is willing to promote practical cooperation with China in various fields under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, and continuously enrich the connotation of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Tau noted.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Saturday in Shanghai.