First Max Planck–CAS Joint Center for Synthetic Biochemistry Opens in Shenzhen

The Max Planck–Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Synthetic Biochemistry was officially inaugurated on April 18 at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). The center marks the first collaborative research initiative between the Max Planck Society (MPG) and CAS dedicated specifically to the field of synthetic biology.

The longstanding partnership between CAS and MPG dates back to 1974 and has since yielded a wide range of successful joint programs. On April 13, the two organizations signed a formal agreement to establish the new center. Hosted and managed by Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology（MPI-TM）and SIAT, the center is designed to serve as a premier international platform for academic and industrial collaboration in synthetic biochemistry.

The center's research will focus on unlocking the vast potential of microorganism-derived natural products for applications in medicine, plant protection, and beyond. It will draw on Shenzhen's cutting-edge synthetic biology infrastructure, which supports automated cultivation, high-throughput analysis, and genetic engineering of microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. The facility is equipped to characterize the metabolites produced by these organisms, elucidate their molecular structures, and generate standardized datasets to inform downstream experimentation.

LIU Weidong, Director of the Bureau of International Cooperation,CAS, said the new joint center marks solid step in the 52‑year CAS‑MPG partnership. It will target synthetic biology frontiers, focus on microbial metabolism and biosynthesis, and drive basic research toward applications that support biomanufacturing and sustainable development.

LIU Chenli, Director of SIAT and Co-Director of the new center, called the launch a significant milestone in SIAT's role in global innovation. "The center will foster bilateral collaboration, advance major scientific initiatives, and support the development of early-career researchers," LIU said. "It is envisioned as a world-class collaborative platform where scientists can work together on innovative research to address shared challenges in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing."

"Shenzhen embodies openness, innovation, and transformation on a global scale," said Prof. Patrick Cramer, President of the Max Planck Society. He noted that the city's synthetic biology infrastructure is striking in both its scale and its technological sophistication. "I hope this new center will become a vivid example of the very best in Sino-German scientific cooperation—a place where outstanding science thrives and young researchers flourish."

The center builds on a series of prior engagements, including the 2025 CAS-MPG Summer School and the recent commemoration of the 50th anniversary of CAS–Max Planck collaboration. Its establishment further cements Shenzhen's standing as a global hub for innovation and technology. The timing also coincides with the run-up to the APEC 2026 summit, which Shenzhen will host—an event expected to further spotlight the city's growing international profile as a center of innovation.

Inauguration ceremony of the Max Planck-Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Synthetic Biochemistry.(Image by SIAT)

Researchers visit The Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Infrastructure.(Image by SIAT)