The Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences (ICMS) and the State Key Laboratory of Quality Research in Chinese Medicine of the University of Macau (UM) and the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology (TIB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences jointly held the Macao Forum on Synthetic Biology and Traditional Chinese Medicine and the agreement signing and plaque unveiling ceremony for the UM-TIB Joint Laboratory for Synthetic Biology today (11 March). The event aimed to promote the interdisciplinary integration of Chinese medicine and synthetic biology, and explore new pathways for the modernisation and internationalisation of Chinese medicine.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the forum, UM Rector Yonghua Song said that synthetic biology, as an emerging discipline, provides new technological means for the modernisation of Chinese medicine. He expressed hope that the forum would further strengthen cooperation between Macao and research institutes in mainland China, and drive innovative development in the field of synthetic biology for Chinese medicine.
In his speech, TIB Director-General Xiang Hua highlighted the vast application prospects of synthetic biology in fields such as biomanufacturing and drug research and development. He looks forward to close cooperation between the two parties to advance the research and industrialisation of synthetic biology for Chinese medicine.
Following the speeches, representatives of UM and TIB signed an agreement and unveiled the plaque for the UM-TIB Joint Laboratory for Synthetic Biology and Chinese Medicine. The joint laboratory will focus on synthetic biology research for Chinese medicine, new drug development, and industrial applications.
The forum also featured a roundtable discussion on ‘The Current Status, Opportunities, and Challenges of Developing Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing for Chinese Medicine in Macao’ and presentations by professors from ICMS and TIB. It brought together experts and scholars from academia, industry representatives, and government officials.
