On November 3rd, the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) held an inauguration ceremony for the China-Italy Joint Laboratory of Pharmacobiotechnology for Medical Immunomodulation. This laboratory, jointly established by SIAT, the Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, and the Institute of Translational Pharmacology—both part of the National Research Council, Italy (CNR)—is the first international joint laboratory awarded to SIAT by China's Ministry of Science and Technology. It aims to propel SIAT's scientific and technological innovations to the global stage, advancing the biopharmaceutical field internationally.

After the initial welcome, Prof. XU Jianbin, Vice President of SIAT, delivered a speech online, highlighting the laboratory’s potential to enhance scientific cooperation between China and Italy. He expressed confidence in the lab's role as a catalyst for scientific research and technological advancements. Dr. NING Bolun, Director of the European Cooperation Division of the Bureau of International Cooperation at CAS, extended his congratulations, emphasizing this lab as an invaluable opportunity to deepen research ties and foster further collaboration between the two nations.

A formal unveiling of the Joint Laboratory's plaque was conducted by Prof. WAN Xiaochun, Deputy Director of the Institute of Biomedicine and Biotechnology of SIAT, alongside Prof. Vojko Bratina, the Science and Technology Counsellor of the Consulate General of Italy in Shanghai. Prof. Bratina remarked on the lab's potential to strengthen academic connections between China and Italy, providing an essential platform for shared advancements in biomedicine. "In today's globalized world, cross-border scientific and technological partnerships are vital for progress," he stated.

The lab's director, Prof. LI Yang, outlined the lab's research focus and strategic goals, which include immunotoxicity evaluations of natural and synthetic substances, development of immunomodulatory drugs, and exploration of disease prevention and immunotherapy approaches. These initiatives will harness high-level international cooperation and interdisciplinary expertise to drive impactful basic research and its applications.

During the ceremony, appointment letters were presented to professors and international guest scholars, highlighting the lab's commitment to building a robust academic foundation. Professors Moein Moghimi (Newcastle University, UK), Victor Puntes (Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Spain), and Martin Himly (University of Salzburg, Austria) were appointed as international guest professors, paving the way for strengthened collaboration across European institutions.

Inauguration Ceremony. (Credit: SIAT)

Group photo of participants. (Credit: by SIAT)

The event concluded with a discussion on future collaboration strategies, with participants emphasizing the importance of fostering talent exchange between China and Italy. The laboratory will serve as a hub for cross-border projects, prioritizing the cultivation of young researchers with global perspectives and supporting innovative efforts by early-career scientists.

This joint laboratory represents a milestone in SIAT's internationalization efforts, as it builds a bridge for future scientific breakthroughs and collaborative achievements between China and Europe in the field of biomedicine.

Media Contact:

ZHANG Xiaomin; LU Qun

Email: xm.zhang@siat.ac.cn; qun.lu@siat.ac.cn