There are many mysteries of human life, and the long non-coding RNA in the human genome is one of them. "If human life forms are regarded as a book, the most important task of scientists is to interpret the content and the laws of 'creation' of this book of life.

There are many mysteries of human life, and long non-coding RNA in the human genome is one of them.
　　

"If human life forms are regarded as a book, the most important task of scientists is to interpret the content and the laws of 'creation' of this book of life." Chen Lingling said , "Long non-coding RNA with a length of more than 200 nucleotides is a newly discovered functional RNA biological macromolecule in recent years. The abnormal metabolism of their abnormalities are closely related to many human diseases. They are numerous, different types, and unstable. The laws of their production, folding and metabolism, and the molecular basis of how to regulate them are unclear, so they are called the dark matter of the human genome."
　　　

Chen Lingling, 44 years old this year, is a representative of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and a researcher at the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences.
　　

Chen Lingling (first from left) communicated with students in the laboratory of the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (photo taken on August 11, 2022). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Liwang

Chen Lingling speaks very quickly and is very capable; cherishing time is like gold, which is her usual working state. In the laboratory building of the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, her office is facing the laboratory with many vessels. Ten years ago, she returned to China without hesitation to form a team, competed with her foreign colleagues in the field of human genome research, and she drew her youth and sweat in this small world.
　　

Each tiny cell contains millions of macromolecules that sustain life, including mysterious long non-coding RNA. Just as astronomers struggle to explore the mysterious universe, Chen Lingling's exploration of the microscopic world of life is also full of challenges.
　　

"To study important and cutting-edge scientific issues, we must have the spirit of sticking to the green mountains and not relaxing, not sticking to existing research methods, and innovation and breakthroughs." Chen Lingling said.
　　

Chen Lingling works in the laboratory of the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (photo taken on September 13, 2022). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Ying

Upholding this scientific spirit, she led the laboratory team to find a unique way through hard exploration and unremitting efforts, creating a long non-coding and circular RNA research technology system. In revealing its generation rules, action mechanisms, and its association with human diseases, she has achieved a series of breakthrough achievements and expanded new research fields.
　　

"Little Pang Willie Syndrome" is a genetic disease with high incidence of genetic defects. In every 10,000 to 20,000 newborns, a little pang doll that "can never eat enough" may appear. Chen Lingling's research group found that a new type of long non-coding RNA was missing in patients with "Little Plum Willie Syndrome", which can be used as a potential diagnostic marker and provides a possibility for timely intervention in the occurrence of the disease.
　　

Chen Lingling took a photo at the Office of the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences. On the right is her daughter's painting (photo taken on August 11, 2022). Xinhua News Agency reporter Jin Liwang Photo by

She led the team members to also find that circular RNA expression decreased in patients with autoimmune diseases (such as lupus erythematosus ). The introduction of circular RNA can reduce the abnormal immune response of patient-derived cells, suggesting that circular RNA can be used as a novel RNA drug. These findings are internationally recognized and widely cited.
　　

"'The Book of Life' is very mysterious. We not only need to understand and analyze it, but also strive to protect the safety and health of human life, safety and health." Chen Lingling said.
　　

Chen Lingling (first from left) held a meeting with students at the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences (photo taken on September 13, 2022). Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Liu Ying

Chen Lingling is also a member of the Party Committee of the Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and has served as the secretary of the grassroots party branch for many years.She said that as a scientific researcher who has been struggling on the front line for a long time, she was honored and sacred to be elected as a representative of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and shouldered heavy responsibilities.
　　

"Standing at the forefront of scientific research, we must dare to lead innovation, be brave to climb upward, and constantly explore unknown fields. It is the mission of our generation of Chinese scientific researchers to make scientific research results with independent intellectual property rights and internationally leading." Chen Lingling said.

Author｜Xinhua News Agency reporter Zhang Jiansong Chen Jie

Source: Rule of Law Daily