Objective To investigate the current status and needs of continuing education for research laboratory technicians, and to provide practical evidence for optimizing talent cultivation in research institutions. Methods In June 2025, a self-designed questionnaire “Current Status and Needs of Continuing Education for Research Laboratory Technicians” was distributed online to laboratory technicians across hospitals and universities in China using convenience and snowball sampling. Results A total of 36 valid responses were collected and analyzed descriptively. Most respondents were female, had 1-6 years of work experience, worked in hospital-based research platforms, and held intermediate technical titles. Half (50.0%) had participated in continuing education fewer than five times in the past year, and 80.6% of training was employer-organized. The most lacking training content was cutting-edge experimental techniques (69.4%) and bioinformatics/data analysis skills (63.9%), while the main barrier was work schedule conflicts (69.4%). Key training needs included bioinformatics/data analysis, cutting-edge techniques, core experimental skills, and interdisciplinary competencies. Moreover, 66.7% preferred a blended online-offline training model, and 88.9% agreed that linking continuing education to performance evaluation or promotion would be beneficial. Based on these findings, this study proposed a competency-oriented continuing education model, establishing a competency matrix across three levels—Basic Operation, Technical Application, and Innovation-Driven Decision-Making—to promote practice-oriented learning and incentive reform. Conclusions Talent development in research laboratory platforms urgently needs to prioritize competency enhancement supported by resource integration. This study provides practical guidance and an institutional reference for building a high-level technical research workforce.
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber has emerged as a critical material advancing the development of minimally invasive medical devices, owing to its exceptional specific strength, outstanding wear resistance, and inherent bio-inertia. We systematically review the current application landscape of UHMWPE fibers in minimally invasive medicine, highlighting their broad use in orthopedic sutures and fixation systems, reinforcement layers for cardiovascular interventional devices, cables to drive surgical robots, and materials in frontier neural interfaces. These applications underscore the material’s core advantages across diverse scenarios. However, its broader clinical translation faces multiple challenges, including surface bio-inertia, long-term dynamic durability, difficulty in processing, and a lack of standardization. To address these challenges, this article delves into comprehensive strategies encompassing surface engineering, composite material development, structural optimization, and intelligent control algorithms. Looking forward, UHMWPE fibers are poised to evolve towards intelligence and functional integration. Through deep convergence with flexible electronics and data-driven research, coupled with the establishment of robust standardization systems, UHMWPE fibers are expected to play an even more pivotal role in the next generation of advanced minimally invasive medical devices, ultimately propelling the field towards greater precision and personalization.