Every year, neuroscientists around the world turn their calendars to the same page: the Society for Neuroscience Annual Meeting. This year, it arrived as SfN 2025 — the largest and most prestigious gathering in global neuroscience, the annual “Super Bowl” where cutting-edge ideas collide with state-of-the-art technologies.

Amid this global gathering of the world’s leading neuroscientists, RWD Life Science has exhibited for 14 consecutive years. Since our first appearance at SfN in 2011, we have never missed a single year. Founded in 2002 as a national high-tech enterprise in China, RWD has dedicated 23 years to the development of life science instruments. Our solutions span animal surgery and modeling, animal neural signal research, microcirculation detection and in vivo imaging, cellular and molecular biology research, animal behavioral research, animal diagnostics and treatment, and histopathological sectioning protocol. Today, our products are used in more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, supporting over 14,500 SCI publications and serving more than 40,000 customers.

This year, at our booth, we had the privilege of speaking with seven distinguished neuroscientists. Some had recently published in Cell or Nature journals, some are leading major NIH-funded projects, and others are building their laboratories from the ground up. They paused to share with us the technologies that excite them most, the challenges they consider most pressing, their candid impressions of RWD, and their vision for the future.

These are the most authentic voices from the very frontier of neuroscience.

01 Yulong Li | Deep Integration of Intervention and Readout Technologies Is Opening New Scientific Frontiers

Professor, School of Life Sciences, Peking University.
Research Focus: The Li laboratory concentrates on the synapse—the fundamental structure underlying neuronal communication.

RWD has previously co-hosted an international webinar with Professor Yulong Li, which received strong engagement. At this year’s SfN, we were honored to meet him again in person to discuss recent research progress, industry trends, and new models of technological and collaborative advancement in neuroscience.

Professor Li explained that his laboratory’s core mission is to elucidate synaptic transmission—the precise and efficient process by which neurons communicate reliably through the release of neurochemicals. Many critical questions remain unanswered: when and how these key neurochemicals are released, and how their dysregulation contributes to disease. To address these challenges, his team is developing advanced molecular detection technologies capable of precisely monitoring and simultaneously reporting dynamic changes in multiple neurochemicals in vivo.

As a veteran attendee of SfN for more than a decade, Professor Li highlighted two major technological breakthroughs shaping the field of neuroscience today.

First, unidirectional intervention technologies—such as optogenetics and chemogenetics—enable cell-type-specific manipulation of neural activity or intracellular signaling using light or small molecules, thereby providing researchers with unprecedented experimental control.

Second, information readout technologies have advanced dramatically, particularly with the rapid development of neurochemical probes. For example, the GRAB sensor series developed in Professor Li’s laboratory achieves high-sensitivity, real-time detection of multiple neuromodulators—including acetylcholine, monoamines, purines, lipids, and neuropeptides—in freely moving animals. Concurrently, high-density neural electrode arrays have dramatically increased channel count and data throughput, while newer flexible electrodes with improved biocompatibility are far better suited for long-term implantation.

Professor Li emphasized that the deep integration of intervention and readout technologies is opening entirely new scientific questions and experimental paradigms.

When offering advice to early-career scientists, he stressed the importance of interdisciplinary thinking. He encouraged young researchers to embrace failure and to seek innovative breakthroughs at the intersection of disciplines. The chemistry–neuroscience interface is particularly fertile: chemical biologists excel at synthesis and theory but often lack insight into specific neuroscience needs, whereas neuroscientists frequently lack chemical training. This gap represents a major opportunity for innovation.

Regarding the current global research environment, Professor Li acknowledged that “the profound changes in international relations in recent years have created new pressures for global scientific collaboration. These external factors are indeed reshaping how institutions and countries work together.”

He continued: “In the long run, the most critical scientific breakthroughs will remain concentrated in neuroscience and biomedicine—fields that directly concern human health and well-being. Scientists, regardless of nationality, should ideally join forces to tackle these challenges. Unfortunately, the current international environment has introduced considerable uncertainty.”

“In my view, effective collaboration rests on two fundamental principles: maintaining an open and mutually trusting attitude, and establishing genuinely complementary partnerships. Collaboration achieves its greatest efficiency when teams contribute distinct strengths and resources. Conversely, when research directions overlap excessively, competition tends to overshadow cooperation.”

Despite the challenges posed by the current international environment, Professor Li remains optimistic about the future of scientific collaboration.

He concluded: “No matter how the external environment evolves, staying open and seeking complementarity remain the key to driving collaborative innovation.”

Reflecting on his own journey—from receiving elite training in the United States to now advancing cutting-edge science in China—Professor Li noted that two decades ago, Chinese scientists were rarely seen at top-tier conferences such as SfN, and domestic companies were almost absent. Today, despite restrictions on chips and geopolitical pressures, China has achieved remarkable progress in neuroscience instrumentation, software, and reagents, with research output growing rapidly and diversifying. He predicts that as China’s scientific and economic strength continues to rise, evaluation systems will become more pluralistic, moving beyond sole reliance on publication in a handful of top-tier journals.

In the field of scientific instrumentation, Professor Li is particularly bullish on the rise of Chinese companies. He highlighted enterprises such as RWD, which specialize in neuroscience tools and actively participate in major international conferences like SfN, as vital contributors to global academic exchange and providers of high-quality, responsive technical support. He recommended that Chinese companies further increase sponsorship of young investigator forums, specialized symposia, and academic conferences to enhance the international visibility of Chinese scientists. At the same time, proactively gathering feedback from global users to drive product iteration and technological improvement is an effective strategy for accelerating the internationalization of Chinese scientific instrument brands.

02 Zheng Zhou | Awake Ultrasound Imaging Will Be Transformative for Research on Autism and Other Complex Disorders

Postdoc, Professor Guoping Feng’s Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
Research Focus: Pathology and pharmacological mechanisms of autism and depression.

When asked about the most exciting emerging technology, Dr. Zhou immediately highlighted functional ultrasound imaging in awake animals:

“This technology finally allows us to observe, in real time and across large brain regions, how pharmacological or genetic interventions alter neural activity in fully awake, non-anesthetized animals. For the study of complex psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia, this will be revolutionary. Traditional MRI is expensive and limited, whereas in recent years, ultrasound imaging has truly demonstrated its potential in small-animal models with high spatiotemporal resolution.”

Throughout his PhD training in China and his current postdoctoral work abroad, Dr. Zhou has extensively used RWD stereotaxic instruments and fiber photometry system. Regarding the RWD fiber photometry system he is currently operates, he offered unequivocally positive feedback:

“It is extremely stable and reliable. The laboratory where I did my PhD in China also relied heavily on RWD equipment for many years. Technical support is prompt, and services including calibration, maintenance, and training are thorough and professional. Overall, the experience has been highly dependable.”

03 Tong Wu | The Next Big Wave Will Be Organoids

PhD, Eureka Biotech.
Research Focus: Neural organoids, cardiac organoids, and 3D bioprinting.

Dr. Wu works at Eureka Biotech, an innovative biotechnology company based in Philadelphia, USA. The company focuses on the research and commercialization of stem cells, neural organoids, and cardiac organoids, and has developed its own 3D bioprinting testing platform.

When discussing the next major trend in neuroscience, she stated with confidence and clarity:

“I believe the next major breakthrough will undoubtedly be organoids. The U.S. NIH has already issued explicit policies that no longer support experiments relying solely on animal models. This will fundamentally accelerate the adoption of organoids as a mainstream platform for research and drug screening.”

Several years ago, after a thorough evaluation of available instrumentation, her team selected the RWD cryostat. As a long-term user of the RWD cryogenic microtome, Dr. Wu speaks highly of the instrument:

“The build quality is excellent, operation is highly intuitive, and the learning curve is short. What surprised and impressed me most is that, even in North America, we receive the same rapid and professional after-sales support as users in China. That level of service consistency is truly outstanding.”

04 Xinlu Ding | RWD’s Service Has Always Been Professional, Prompt, and Reliable

Postdoc, Dan Yang Laboratory, University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley).
Research Focus: Neural mechanisms of sleep.

Dr. Ding has long used RWD’s stereotaxic instruments and various surgical tools in her research group, giving her extensive hands-on experience with the products. When asked about her impression of the collaboration, she smiled and said, “Your technical professionalism is, of course, beyond question. What surprised me is that even in non-procurement settings—such as exhibitions and academic conferences—you are always willing to help. Communication is smooth, the response is highly efficient, and it truly puts one at ease.”

This year, she published her latest findings in Cell, investigating the interaction between sleep and growth hormone–releasing circuits.

05 Shaorong Ma | RWD’s neuroscience solutions provide comprehensive support—from product quality to technical resources to after-sales service

Postdoc, University of California, Santa Cruz.
Research focus: Neural circuits.

“The most exciting direction right now is high–spatiotemporal-resolution in vivo imaging in freely moving animals. When combined with optogenetics, it allows real-time decoding of neural information underlying behavior. This, in my view, is the most powerful way to truly understand the brain.”

Discussing her laboratory’s equipment procurement, she explained: “We have purchased multiple batches of RWD consumables over the years, including cannulas, patch cables, and other accessories. Earlier, when I was at the Institute of Neuroscience, CAS, we also purchased RWD’s stereotaxic instrument , fiber photometry system, small animal anesthesia machine, and other full-set equipment.”

“We have been using your optogenetics system and consumables for many years,” she said with evident satisfaction. “The after-sales support is exceptionally responsive—emails are always answered quickly with detailed information. I’m actually quite interested in trying your Multichannel Fiber Photometry System. Several colleagues have used RWD equipment and spoken very highly of it, so our lab is considering ordering multi-channel systems in the near future.”

Reflecting on her long-standing connection with RWD, she noted: “I actually became familiar with your company quite early on. Back at the Institute of Neuroscience, most of our stereotaxic frames were from international brands and very expensive. Later, we began purchasing RWD equipment instead. When my PI was reassigned and we needed to repurchase all instruments, we chose RWD for everything—including stereotaxic instrument, fiber photometry system, and small animal anesthesia machine. That was when I first felt your equipment was truly excellent.”

06 Paige Whyte-Fagundes | Simultaneous calcium and electrophysiology recording in the zebrafish epilepsy model directly proves that epileptiform discharges originate in the CNS.

Postdoc, University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).
Research focus: Using zebrafish to study genetic models of childhood epilepsy, aiming to uncover the underlying molecular mechanisms and find novel drug treatments for affected children.

Paige’s breakthrough stemmed from a critical technical leap: she achieved the first-ever synchronized recording of calcium signals with fiber photometry and electrophysiology in a zebrafish model. With the RWD fiber photometry system, she published this work in Communications Biology in July 2025.

“The RWD fiber photometry system is extremely useful. Traditional confocal has single cell resolution but a much lower throughput. Meanwhile, fiber photometry allows me to record much longer durations of global activity. The RWD system allowed me to record calcium and electrophysiological signals simultaneously during an epileptic seizure and directly prove that the epileptiform discharge comes from the central nervous system. This is very important for research modeling childhood epilepsy.”

Paige hopes to soon establish her own lab. As a scientist who highly values collaboration, she speaks highly of her experience with RWD:

“When we applied the system originally designed for mice to the completely new zebrafish model, the process was full of challenges. However, your engineering team truly understood the system down to its core, worked shoulder-to-shoulder with us, and helped make the adaptation successful. This attitude—truly putting themselves in the customer’s shoes, solving problems, and creating real value—is the cooperation experience I cherish most.

07 Mario Alberto Arias García | We set up RWD fiber photometry system early this year, and by November we already had data good enough for SfN.

PhD, National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
Research focus: Thalamocortical circuit neurobiology and mechanisms of autism spectrum disorders.

Mario’s collaboration with RWD originated from an RWD team visit to Mexico two years ago. During the visit, the team learned that he was establishing a new laboratory. Following in-depth technical discussions with Mario and his collaborating PI at a local exhibition, he selected and purchased a complete set of RWD animal surgery instruments and fiber photometry system.

“In 2024 we purchased the full suite of RWD surgical equipment and fiber photometry system. Experimental efficiency increased immediately and substantial time and effort were saved,” he stated.

“What satisfies me most is the fiber photometry system’s cost-effectiveness and rapid installation: I only finished setting it up at the beginning of the year, yet by November I had already collected high-quality data that I used for the lecture presentation at this year’s SfN meeting.”

He added:“I hope future software versions will integrate more automated analysis tools. I’ve heard you’re already developing the new version, and I’m really looking forward to it!”

Seven scientists, seven distinct research directions, yet all converging on the same future: neuroscience is evolving from an opaque “black box” to a field that is readable, writable, and controllable. Making this transformation possible are not only the world’s leading minds, but also the reliable, precise, and fast-response research instruments that support them.

For 23 years, RWD has been dedicated to that very moment—when a scientist sees a clean calcium signal at 3 a.m., when a brain slice adheres perfectly to the slide, or when a viral vector is delivered precisely into the target region. In those moments, they genuinely say, “Good thing we have RWD.”

RWD Life Sciences empowers every neuroscience lab worldwide with reliable Chinese instruments.