October 26 3:00, Tan Weihong, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Professor of Hunan University, in the academic lecture hall of the Shixian Building, gave a seminar entitled Super Molecular elements: Building functional materials using nucleic acids . Academician Zhou Qilin, academician Chen Jun, all the students of the Boling class participated in the presentation. Dean Chen host the lecture. 

    At the beginning of the lecture, academician Tan first proposed the concept of molecular elements. He believes that, unlike atomic elements in the periodic table, molecular elements can have independent chemical activity, and because DNA has specific molecular recognition and biological activity characteristics, he chose to use nucleic acid code to complete the preparation of biological materials. In his lecture, academician Tan mentioned the functional molecules constructed by the group using the basis group of DNA/RNA, such as nucleic acid aptamer, molecular beacons and so on. The prospect of their application in biology has aroused great concern and interest among the students. In the second half of the lecture, academician Tan focused on the unique application of DNA molecular motors in nano-scale energy conversion. In comparison to chemical fuel, light-driven convention lays the solid foundation for the development of molecular motors. In addition, under the inspiration of traditional base, the synthesis of artificial bases using Chinese herbal extracts also makes the design of functional molecules possible.Finally, Prof.Tan inspired folks with “No thought, no gain” and looked forward to more students to devote in the in-depth study of molecular elements. 

    In the question session, enthusiasm for questions on this frontier soared. In particular, the collision of ideas between academician Tan and Zhou Qilin and Dean Chen June deeply impressed the participants of meeting. 

    Boling lecture is an important measure to explore and practice the innovative chemical talent training model of the College of Chemistry. Since 2013, the conference is delivered by the top chemists at home and abroad for the chemistry of the undergraduate students to share scientific research experience, open up academic horizons, encourage students to establish long-term life goals.