Large-scale configuration interaction description of the structure of nuclei around ${}^{100}$Sn and ${}^{208}$Pb

In this contribution I would like to discuss briefly the recent developments of the nuclear configuration interaction shell model approach. As examples, we apply the model to calculate the structure and decay properties of low-lying states in neutron-deficient nuclei around ${}^{100}$Sn and ${}^{208}$Pb that are of great experimental and theoretical interests.