Observation Group from Ministry of Science and Technology Inspected GIBH

On January 13th, 2007, GIBH-GMC Joint Lab of Respiratory Diseases ushered in the observation group for the State Key Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology. After hearing the working report by Dr. PEI Duanqing, Deputy Director General of GIBH, the experts of the observation group made an on-site inspection to the laboratories, and interviewed some researchers and investigators in the lab.

The mission of GIBH-GMC Joint Lab is to efficiently develop innovative solutions to the prevention and control of respiratory diseases as severe respiratory epidemic, asthma, COPD, lung cancer, etc.

The Lab was established in December, 2005 by the combined effort of GIBH and Guangzhou Medical College (GMC) to forge a long-term collaboration between the two parties. The research scope of the Lab include antibodies to influenza (including avian influenza), vaccines, asthma, cancer, as well as design and synthesis of micro-molecular medicine. Basic and clinical researches will be closely integrated with each other by taking advantages of both sides. The cooperative mechanism consists of joint-meetings, regular briefings, the introduction of associated research topics, the arrangement for seminars or academic salons, and resource-sharing, etc. In Sept. 2006, based on the existent cooperation and a series of preparation work, the Joint Lab officially submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology of the P.R. China its Declaration Paper for the foundation of the State Key Laboratory for Respiratory Diseases.

It is reported that of the approximately 200 state key laboratories nationwide, 6 are located in Guangdong Province, however all attached to the central government, which means that no such laboratory comes under Guangdong Provincial Government nor Guangzhou Municipal Government. Thus the application by the GIBH-GMC Joint Lab of Respiratory Diseases has received great attentions and appropriation from both the provincial and municipal governments for lab infrastructure construction as well as for purchasing lab facilities and equipments.

The establishment of the State Key Laboratory has promised to provide a better platform for the future development and accomplishment of GIBH.