The Max Planck–Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Joint Center for Synthetic Biochemistry was inaugurated on April 18 at the CAS Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT). This marks the first dedicated collaborative research initiative between the Max Planck Society (MPG) and CAS focused on synthetic biology. The agreement to establish the center was formalized on April 13.
Jointly managed by the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (MPI‑TM) and SIAT, the center is designed to serve as an international platform for academic and industrial collaboration in synthetic biochemistry. Its research will concentrate on microorganism‑derived natural products with applications in medicine, plant protection, and biomanufacturing.
The facility will leverage Shenzhen’s advanced synthetic biology infrastructure, which includes automated cultivation, high‑throughput analysis, and genetic engineering of microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. It is equipped to characterize metabolites, determine molecular structures, and generate standardized datasets to support further experimentation and development.
The establishment of the center reinforces Shenzhen’s position as a growing hub for innovation and technology, while strengthening the commitment of both MPG and CAS to international scientific collaboration and addressing global challenges through joint research.
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