Peking University

<table class="infobox infobox-institution">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Peking University</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="infobox-image" colspan="2">
<em>Logo placeholder</em>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Location</td>
<td>Beijing, China</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>Research University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Established</td>
<td>1898</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Website</td>
<td><a href="https://www.pku.edu.cn/" target="_blank">https://www.pku.edu.cn/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Focus Areas</td>
<td>[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), [Genetics](/mechanisms/familial-alzheimers-genetics), [Neuroscience](/mechanisms)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Departments</td>
<td>Neuroscience Research Institute, School of Medicine, Institute of Neurology</td>
</tr>
</table>

Peking University

Overview

<table class="infobox infobox-institution">
<tr>
<th class="infobox-header" colspan="2">Peking University</th>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="infobox-image" colspan="2">
<em>Logo placeholder</em>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Location</td>
<td>Beijing, China</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Type</td>
<td>Research University</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Established</td>
<td>1898</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Website</td>
<td><a href="https://www.pku.edu.cn/" target="_blank">https://www.pku.edu.cn/</a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Focus Areas</td>
<td>[Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), [Genetics](/mechanisms/familial-alzheimers-genetics), [Neuroscience](/mechanisms)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td class="label">Departments</td>
<td>Neuroscience Research Institute, School of Medicine, Institute of Neurology</td>
</tr>
</table>

Peking University

Overview

Peking University (北京大学) is China's first modern national university, established in 1898 and located in Beijing[@peking2026]. As one of China's most prestigious institutions, Peking University has played a pioneering role in the development of Chinese neuroscience and neurodegenerative disease research. The university is particularly recognized for its contributions to [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease), [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease), and the [genetics](/mechanisms/familial-alzheimers-genetics) of neurodegenerative disorders.

Peking University hosts multiple researchers tracked in the NeuroWiki database and maintains several departments and research centers dedicated to neuroscience and neurodegeneration research[@neuroscience2026]. The institution's research programs span basic neuroscience, clinical neurology, genetics, and translational medicine, making it a comprehensive hub for neurodegeneration research in China.

History and Institutional Background

Peking University traces its origins to the Imperial University of Peking, established in 1898 during the final years of the Qing Dynasty. The university has been at the forefront of scientific and medical education in China throughout its 125+ year history. The School of Medicine was formally established in 2000 through the merger of Beijing Medical University with Peking University, creating one of China's largest and most comprehensive medical schools.

The Neuroscience Research Institute (NRI) was founded to consolidate the university's neuroscience research efforts and has become one of China's leading centers for brain research. The Institute of Neurology at Peking University Third Hospital provides clinical research infrastructure for neurological disorders.

Research Programs

Focus Areas

• [Alzheimer's Disease](/diseases/alzheimers-disease)
• [Parkinson's Disease](/diseases/parkinsons-disease)
• [Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)](/diseases/als)
• [Huntington's Disease](diseases/huntingtons)
• [Neurogenetics](/mechanisms/familial-alzheimers-genetics)
• [Neuroinflammation](/mechanisms/neuroinflammation)
• [Cognitive Neuroscience](/mechanisms)

Departments and Centers

• Neuroscience Research Institute (NRI): Comprehensive neuroscience research center
• School of Medicine: Medical education and clinical research
• Institute of Neurology (Third Hospital): Clinical research on neurological diseases
• Beijing Institute for Brain Disorders: National key laboratory
• Center for Neurodegenerative Disease Research: Focused research unit

Major Research Initiatives

Peking University leads numerous major research initiatives:

Key Research Themes

Alzheimer's Disease Genetics

Peking University researchers have made significant contributions to understanding the genetics of Alzheimer's disease, particularly in Asian populations:

• Studies on [APP](/entities/app-protein), [PSEN1](/entities/psen1), and [PSEN2](/entities/psen2) mutations in Chinese families
• Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) identifying novel risk loci
• Investigation of protective genetic factors

Parkinson's Disease Research

Research on Parkinson's disease encompasses:

• Genetic studies of [LRRK2](/genes/lrrk2), [GBA](/genes/gba), and [SNCA](/genes/snca)
• Alpha-synuclein aggregation mechanisms
• Neuroinflammation in Parkinson's disease pathogenesis
• Clinical biomarker development

Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration

Researchers investigate the relationships between neurodevelopmental processes and later neurodegeneration, including:

• Synaptic function and plasticity
• Neuronal survival mechanisms
• Protein quality control systems (autophagy, ubiquitin-proteasome)

Notable Facilities

Imaging Facilities

• Advanced 7T MRI scanner
• PET/CT imaging center
• Magnetoencephalography (MEG) facility

Laboratory Facilities

• BSL-3 laboratory for pathogen research
• State-of-the-art animal facilities
• iPSC culture and differentiation core

Key Researchers

| Researcher | H-index | Focus Areas |
|------------|---------|-------------|
| [Wei Qin](/researchers/wei-qin) | 38 | Alzheimer's Disease, Genetics |
| Li Zhang | 33 | Parkinson's Disease, Neuroinflammation |
| Xin Zhang | 30 | ALS, Motor Neuron Disease |

Collaborations and Partnerships

Peking University maintains extensive international collaborations:

• Chinese Academy of Sciences: Joint neuroscience programs
• National Institute on Aging (NIA): International Alzheimer's disease research
• Michael J. Fox Foundation: Parkinson's disease research collaboration
• University of California: Multiple joint research programs
• Karolinska Institutte: European neuroscience collaboration

Training and Education

The university offers comprehensive training programs:

• Undergraduate Programs: BSc in Neuroscience, Medicine, Biochemistry
• Graduate Programs: PhD in Neuroscience, Neurology, Translational Medicine
• Postdoctoral Training: Extensive positions in all neurodegeneration labs
• Clinical Training: Neurology residency and fellowship programs

Future Directions

Peking University's neurodegeneration research strategy includes:

External Links

• Official Website: [https://www.pku.edu.cn/](https://www.pku.edu.cn/)
• Neuroscience Research Institute: [https://nri.pku.edu.cn/](https://nri.pku.edu.cn/)
• School of Medicine: [https://www.bjmu.edu.cn/](https://www.bjmu.edu.cn/)

See Also

• [Researchers and Institutions Index](/researchers)
• [Diseases Index](/diseases)
• [Mechanisms Index](/mechanisms)
• [Clinical Trials](/clinical-trials)
• [China Neuroscience Research](/institutions)

References