On the afternoon of November 6, the 47th Hainan University Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series was held at the lecture hall on the second floor of the Social Sciences Building. Erwin Neher, recipient of the 1991 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, delivered a speech titled Synaptic Plasticity: Presynaptic Mechanisms and Neuromodulation. Meanwhile, Felix Dapare Dakora, Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering shared his personal story in a talk called My Journey in Life—The Humbling Story of an African Boy from Da Village in Northern Ghana Tracing the Global Wine Route in Search of Scientific Knowledge: Lessons Learnt.
Senior university leaders, including Gao Diangong and Li Buhong attended the event. The lecture series was hosted by Vice President Chen Jun.
On the afternoon of November 6, the 47th Hainan University Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series is held at the lecture hall on the second floor of the Social Sciences Building. (Photo by Chen Sitian)
Erwin Neher began with the concept of synaptic plasticity and reviewed the progress achieved over the past several decades since the discovery of long-term potentiation (LTP) in 1973. He noted that when studying presynaptic mechanisms by perturbing the function of presynaptic proteins (either pharmacologically or through mutagenesis), it is crucial to distinguish whether a given protein is directly involved in the neurotransmitter release process or in vesicle docking or the assembly of molecular complexes during priming, the latter being capable of initiating [Ca²⁺]-triggered membrane fusion.
Professor Neher also introduced a new electrophysiological method he developed, which enables a more precise distinction between effects on priming and those on fusion. This mechanism allows synaptic plasticity to be regulated across a broad temporal spectrum, ranging from short-term plasticity to long-term potentiation. The involvement of G protein–coupled receptors (GPCRs) in generation of these second messengers further enables neuromodulation by a wide variety of transmitters, peptides, and hormones.
On the afternoon of November 6, the 47th Hainan University Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series is held at the lecture hall on the second floor of the Social Sciences Building, where Erwin Neher delivers a lecture. (Photo by Chen Sitian)
Felix Dapare Dakora shared his inspiring journey from a Ghanaian village to the global stage of science, illustrating how these experiences reflect the universality of human curiosity and the transformative power of education. Centering his talk on Africa’s challenges in food insecurity, soil degradation, and limited agricultural technology in Africa, he introduced his research on promoting plant growth and increasing crop yields through biological nitrogen fixation. He further presented his bioprospecting findings on soil rhizobia, which bring multiple benefits, including pest resistance, growth promotion, and drought tolerance. Dakora emphasized that the most valuable insights extend far beyond textbook knowledge—they lie in the humility born of recognizing one’s own ignorance, the good fortune of engaging with world body of knowledge, and the responsibility that such engagement entails. He encouraged the audience to remain grounded while aspiring toward the stars, to treat the world as a lifelong classroom, and to preserve an enduring spirit of curiosity.
On the afternoon of November 6, the 47th Hainan University Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series is held at the lecture hall on the second floor of the Social Sciences Building, where Felix Dapare Dakora delivers a lecture. (Photo by Chen Sitian)
The lecture hall was filled to capacity as faculty members and students closely followed the reports and engaged in lively discussions with the two scientists. They were also presented with commemorative plaques for the Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series.
On the afternoon of November 6, the 47th Hainan University Distinguished Scientist Lecture Series is held at the lecture hall on the second floor of the Social Sciences Building. Chen Jun presents commemorative plaques to Professors Erwin Neher and Felix Dapare Dakora. (Photo by Chen Sitian)
On the afternoon of November 6, the 47th Hainan University Distinguished Scientist Lecture is held at the lecture hall on the second floor of the Social Sciences Building. Erwin Neher engages in discussions with faculty and students. (Photo by Zhou Honghui)
More than 700 faculty members and students from Hainan University participated in the lecture both online and offline. Participants included heads from relevant departments and colleges, as well as representatives from the Haidian, Danzhou, Mension Hill (which also oversees the Chengxi Teaching Site), and Yazhou Bay campuses of HNU.
Translated by Wu Tong
Proofread by Zhang Ying
