GIBH Hosts the 10th Anniversary of China's "973 Project" and Symposium on Stem Cells and Regeneration Medicine

On July. 18, GIBH hosted the 10^th Anniversary of China’s “973 Project” (the national development project on key basic research) and Symposium on Stem Cells and Regeneration Medicine in Guangzhou.

The attendees include over 50 representatives from the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province, the Department of Science and Technology of Guangzhou, Huashan Hospital Fudan University, Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology(CAS), Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica(CAS), Institute of Health Sciences Shanghai(Jiao Tong University School of Medicine), 307 Hospital of P.L.A., Institute of Basic Medicine (CAMS), Shanghai Cancer Institute(Shanghai Jiao Tong University), Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology(CAS), Institute of Reproduction and Stem Cells research(Central South University), as well as the Alliance of Stem Cells and Regeneration Medicine Research Organizations in Guangzhou.

The theme of the symposium is about the latest progress in stem cell research as well as how to realize the cooperative knowledge sharing system of the national stem cell research. Prof. Duanqing PEI, Deputy Director General of GIBH introduced about the Alliance of Stem Cells and Regeneration Medicine Research Organizations of Guangzhou, which is the first Alliance in the field in the nationwide, and affirmatively acknowledged by the leadership of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China. Afterward, the attending scientists introduced and discussed about their projects being undertaken (including four 973 projects) in the area of stem cells and regeneration medicine and the latest research progress. The scientists and experts agreed that certain achievements in stem cell basic research have been obtained within our country, some of which have reached international level, laying a solid foundation for the further development of stem cells research. However, the challenges of integrating regional resources, and combining the basic research and applied research profoundly still exist.

The discussion also centers on the foundation of the national platform for stem cell research alliance, the strengthening of collaborations between basic research and clinical research, and  the construction of the stem cells resource library, etc.

It is agreed upon by the participating directors and experts that the symposium attaches significant importance to the 10^th anniversary of the National 973 Project, as well as to guiding and accelerating the further development of stem cells and regeneration medicine research via information exchange, horizon broadening, regional cooperation and resource sharing.