Prof. Xin Chen, the Director of the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences at the University of Macau, along with Prof. Jiahong Lu and Prof. Wai San Cheang, visited the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (TIB) to foster the collaborative research on 26-28 August. The UM delegation was warmly received by TIB Director Ma Yanhe. Representatives from both parties had in-depth discussions on promoting technological research and transformation, academic collaboration, talent cultivation, and other aspects related to the development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry. Both parties also exchanged experiences and ideas in University–Industry innovation collaboration in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
The UM delegation visited the Science and Technology Exhibition Hall, Technical Support Platform, General Research Department, and the Synthetic Biology Innovation Center at TIB, gaining insights into the research and translational applications of synthetic biology, efficient engineering cells, and new models for natural product synthesis.
During the delegation visit, Prof. Chen introduced the fruitful research achievements of ICMS and SKL-QRCM. Both parties had in-depth discussions and exchanged experiences and ideas. They shared their latest research achievements and academic perspectives, and discussed the establishment of a “Joint Laboratory of Synthetic Biology of Traditional Chinese Medicine.” They expressed the desire to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions and work together to accelerate the development and innovation of technology in the traditional Chinese medicine industry. They also emphasized the importance of enhancing the training of doctoral students and young scientific talents.
To strengthen communication and collaboration between the two institutions, the UM delegataion participated in the “International Symposium on Innovation of Natural Product Resources in Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Asia-Pacific Region.” They engaged in further discussions and exchanges during the symposium, which focused on the development and application of traditional Chinese medicine resources in the Asia-Pacific region. The symposium covered topics such as synthetic biology and innovation of natural product resources, utilization and extraction of natural product resources, physiological and pharmacological activities of natural products in traditional Chinese medicine, and the application of natural products in traditional Chinese medicine. The series of lectures provided a comprehensive and multi-faceted presentation of the new achievements in natural products created through synthetic biology. These achievements are rapidly being promoted and applied in fields such as traditional Chinese medicine and animal husbandry. The discussions explored the new trends in the future development of natural product resources in traditional Chinese medicine and highlighted the transition from laboratory research to industrialization on a large scale. This event played a positive role in strengthening the close connection between the two institutions and fostering future collaborations.
