On August 28, the National Key Laboratory of Genetic Evolution and Animal Models convened its 2026 academic committee meeting at KIZ, gathering leading scientists to review progress and chart strategic priorities. The meeting brought together a distinguished roster of committee members, with CAS members Li Lin, Gui Jianfang, Zhang Yaping, and Hao Xiaojiang attending in person, while CAS member Zhang Keqin, Academia Sinica member Wu Zhongyi, and Canadian Health Sciences Academy member Song Weihong participated online. Additional committee members included Xu Anlong from Sun Yat-sen University Hong Kong Institute, Xue Tian from USTC, Zhou Bing from Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica, Zhang Guojie from Zhejiang University, Liu Guanghui from the Institute of Zoology CAS, Yao Yonggang as Kunming Branch director, and KIZ researchers Su Bing and Lai Ren.

Laboratory director Wu Dongdong presided over the opening session, where KIZ director Shi Peng delivered welcoming remarks to the committee members. Shi Yongyong represented the co-building unit, the CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence. Wu Dongdong then reported on the laboratory's progress since its formal approval in December 2024, outlining a research framework centered on "complex trait evolution and imbalance" with three main directions and four targeted research tasks.

The laboratory has assembled teams focused on primate research, canine models, genetic evolution frontier cross-disciplinary studies, and biofunctional molecule mining. Since its establishment, the lab has published multiple papers in Nature, Science, and Cell. A notable innovation has been the creation of a youth talent cultivation mechanism using an "angel investment plus milestone payment" funding model.

Su Bing delivered a special lecture titled "From Millions to Billions: Genetic Mechanisms of Vertebrate Brain Origin and Evolution," which drew keen interest from attendees. The committee's recommendations emphasized strengthening the consolidation of representative achievements to highlight the laboratory's irreplaceability and national strategic value. Members also called for enhanced primate and canine model research to lead biomedical translational efforts, expanded international exchange, deeper collaboration with sister laboratories, and a focus on neurodegenerative disease large animal models.