Chinese Academy of Sciences (PDF) - low res version

More documents

Recommendations

Info

14 CAS/In Focus Progress in Life Sciences and Biotechnology The rapid development in China over the past two decades has precipitated some environmental and social problems, such as pollution, an energy shortage, and overpopulation. In order to address these problems and maintain sustainable development, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has established a comprehensive and effective research system in the life sciences and biotechnology, with 21 institutes and more than 8,000 staff, covering fields from health and medicine, to agriculture, to industrial biotechnology, to biodiversity and biological resources. Figure 1. Important structures solved by CAS scientists: the mitochondrial respiratory membrane protein complex II (left), the spinach major light-harvesting complex (top right), and the H5N1 RNA polymerase PA/PB1 complex. The Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has established a comprehensive and effective research system in the life sciences and biotechnology. Health and Medicine To promote physical and mental health, CAS supports and conducts interdisciplinary translational research to establish a complete innovation chain from basic research to clinic trials, which includes major biomedical areas such as genomics, protein science, reproductive and developmental biology, neuroscience, cognitive and psychological sciences, major chronic and infectious diseases, nutrition science, stem cells, and regenerative medicine as well as innovative drug research and development. In protein science, new methods and technologies in structural and functional research have been developed. The structures of several important membrane proteins and protein complexes have been Research solved, including the crystal structures of the mitochondrial respiratory membrane protein complex II and spinach major light-harvesting complex (1, 2) (Figure 1). Recently, many virus-related structures, including those of SARS coronavirus proteins, H5N1 RNA polymerase PA/PB1 complex, and the entire structure of EV71 (3-6), have been elucidated, providing a biological basis and insights for viral diseases prevention and control. In neuroscience and cognition, a series of novel discoveries have been made, such as the discovery of new mechanisms in the guidance of neuronal migration and in nerve cell development and polarization, and characterization of cation channel functions in nerve axon growth-oriented signaling and information processing in glial cells (7–10). In addition, more complex behaviors such as decision-making, learning, light preference, and visual cognition have been systematically investigated. One recently completed study determined the social hierarchy within groups of mice and demonstrated that mouse social status is bidirectionally controlled by synaptic strength in the medial prefrontal cortex (11–15). Advances in stem cells and regenerative medicine will likely lead to nextgeneration clinical therapies. Several breakthroughs have been achieved, such as demonstration of the developmental pluripotency of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSCs), establishment of iPSC lines from rats and pigs, oocyte reprogramming, conversion of somatic fibroblasts into functional hepatocyte-like cells, and the improvement of iPSC-generation protocols using Vitamin C (16–21). Research on disease mechanisms can improve clinical treatment. At CAS, the molecular mechanisms underlying diabetes have been identified, including the relationship between the regulation of exocytosis and blood glucose control, and the mechanism of action of nonpeptide, small molecule agonists on the glucagon-like peptide receptor (22, 23). In addition, a study on the Chinese population was conducted to systematically investigate the effects of genetic and nutrition/lifestyle factors on the development of so-called metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes (24). CAS has made a concerted effort to set up a comprehensive drug innovation system ranging from target identification and validation, to preclinical research and clinical development. To date, approximately 120 drugs have been commercially launched and/or out-licensed, including antofloxacin hydrochloride (the first patented quinolone class antibiotic agent), depsides salt (a prominent example of the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine), and acehytisine hydrochloride (an injectable antiarrhythmic drug), and a number of drug candidates are presently undergoing clinical trials. In addition, recombinant epidermal growth factor, injectable recombinant staphylokinase, and other biopharmaceuticals have been developed. Figure 2. Rice cultivar XS11 carrying the ipa1 locus shows characteristics of an ideal plant type, indicating ipa1’s great potential for enhancing rice grain yield. CREDITS: (FROM TOP) PROVIDED BY THE INSTITUTE OF BIOPHYSICS; PROVIDED BY THE INSTITUTE OF GENETICS AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
CREDITS: (SCIENCE COVER PHOTO) Y. ZHANG, D. PAN, AND L.-Y. LUO; PROVIDED BY THE KUNMING INSTITUTE OF ZOOLOGY Research CAS/In Focus Figure 3. CAS scientists have been studying the origin and evolution of domesticated animals. Agriculture In agricultural research, CAS not only places emphasis on fundamental research areas such as genomics, genetics, and evolution and developmental biology, but also focuses on practical applications such as plant breeding, aquaculture, and biopesticides. In areas of rice genomics and functional genomics, CAS scientists have successfully completed the draft sequence and whole genome fine map of indica rice (25) and determined the sequence of chromosome 4 from japonica rice (26). Subsequent genetic and functional studies revealed several important agronomic genes controlling important traits, including those for tillering control [IPA1 (27) and MOC1 (28)], (Figure 2), salt tolerance [SKC1 (29) and HAL3 (30)], uppermost internode elongation [Eui (31)], control of grain weight [GW2 (32)], grain filling [GIF1 (33)], and erect growth [LA1 (34) and PROG1 (35)]. These genes are considered valuable candidates for future molecular design breeding. In animal research, CAS focuses mainly on genetics and evolution. CAS participated in the international project on the chicken genome, in which British broiler, Swedish layer, and Chinese Silkie chickens were sequenced and about two million genetic variations analyzed. Genomic studies have also provided insights into the origin and genetic diversity of major Chinese domestic animals such as pigs, goats, and dogs (36–38) (Figure 3). In addition, CAS scientists successfully cloned 22 cattle from adult somatic cells between 2002 and 2005. Progress has also been made in the early warning and control of agricultural disasters. For example, locust plagues in China have been studied comprehensively, looking at the molecular mechanisms of plague formation as well as the impact of climate change. CAS researchers reconstructed a 1,910-year-long time line of locust outbreaks in China and found statistically significant associations between locust abundance, precipitation, and temperature (39). In addition, studies suggested that the CSP and Takeout gene families could modulate the behavioral phase changes in migratory locusts (40). With regard to practical applications, CAS has developed many valuable crop, fruit, and fish varieties, as well as biopesticide products. New wheat varieties including the “Xiaoyan” series, “Chuanyu” series and “Kenong199” were developed (Figure 4). The high-yield, disease-resistant and high-quality “Xiaoyan” varieties were originally produced by crossbreeding Elytrigia elongatum with wheat. “Xiaoyan 6,” planted in a 10 million hectare area, showed an increased yield of 400,000 tons. The “Jintao” variety of kiwifruit has been patented and out-licensed internationally. More than 20 new varieties of cold- and disease-resistant wine grapes such as “Jingxiu” and “Beimei” have also been developed. In aquaculture research, CAS scientists bred and developed a series of major aquatic products, such as the allogynogenetic silver crucian carp, “Zhongke3,” “Dalian1” hybrid abalone, and “Zhongkehong” bay scallop. Furthermore, several insect virus biopesticides against cotton bollworm and other pests have been developed, accounting for a total annual production of 5 tons of ingredients and 200 tons of reagents, with an application area of 2 million hectares. CAS has also made progress in the breeding, planting, and processing of high-yield pyrethrum. Over 8,000 hectares of pyrethrums have been planted, making up 30% of world production. Industrial Biotechnology One of CAS’s innovation priorities is to apply the principles of industrial biotechnology to reduce the environmental impact of industrial processes and to utilize renewable biological resources instead of nonrenewable resources. To achieve these goals, CAS has been focusing on the construction of research systems with an emphasis on biomass materials, microbes and industrial enzymes, bioprocesses and bioreactors, and bio-based products. In northern China, the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology was established as a cooperative venture between CAS and the Tianjin municipal government. The Institute of Microbiology and the Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology are also engaged in industrial biotechnology research and development. In the south, the Huzhou Industrial Biotechnology Center was created through the joint efforts of the Shanghai Institutes for Biological Sciences and local government agencies. Also established were the National Engineering Laboratory for Industrial Enzymes and the CAS Key Laboratories of Synthetic Biology, Photobiology, Systems Microbial Biotechnology, and Environmental and Applied Microbiology. The Research Network on Applied Microbes has helped integrate the microbial resources data from 17 CAS institutes via the World Data Center for Microorganisms, hosted by CAS. In order to promote technology application, the CAS Bioindustry Innovation Alliance was established, which allows CAS-developed biological techniques to be rapidly transferred to its 170 industrial partners. One example of success is the production of the antiparasitic, doramectin, by China’s first ever genetically engineered drug-producing cell line. In addition, CAS has been improving its knowledge transfer platform for industrial biotechnology, while also supporting the CAS Biotechnology Innovation and Bio-industry Promotion Program. 15
Page 1 and 2: Research CAS/In Focus i Sponsored b
Page 3 and 4: CREDIT: DAYA BAY COLLABORATION Cont
Page 5 and 6: CREDIT: COURTESY OF CAS Introductio
Page 7 and 8: Research CAS/In Focus Editorial New
Page 9 and 10: CREDIT: PHOTOS BY RICKY WONG Instit
Page 11 and 12: CREDIT: COURTESY OF CAS Overview wi
Page 13 and 14: CREDIT: (FROM TOP) FROM THE HEFEI I
Page 15: CREDIT: FROM THE SHANGHAI INSTITUTE
Page 19 and 20: CREDIT: COURTESY OF CAS Research CA
Page 23 and 24: CREDIT: BY ZHANG AIQUN Research CAS
Page 29 and 30: CREDIT: PHOTOS BY RICKY WONG Editor
Page 31 and 32: CREDIT: PHOTOS BY RICKY WONG High M
Page 33 and 34: CREDITS: (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF THE
Page 35 and 36: CREDITS: (CLOCKWISE FROM TOP) COURT
Page 37 and 38: CREDITS: COURTESY OF CAS Research C
Page 39 and 40: CREDIT: PHOTOS BY RICKY WONG the Hu
Page 41 and 42: CREDITS: COURTESY OF CAS Talent and
Page 43 and 44: CREDIT: (TOP AND BOTTOM) COURTESY O
Page 45 and 46: CREDITS: (1, 2 AND 5) COURTESY OF U
Page 47 and 48: CREDIT: COURTESY OF CAS he “learn
Page 49 and 50: CREDIT: COURTESY OF CAS Technology
Page 51 and 52: CREDIT: (FROM TOP) COURTESY OF THE

Chinese Academy of Sciences (PDF) - low res version

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?