Cutting-edge methods and techniques in protein research: a workshop for scientists from developing countries

Working plan

Protein science is an important field within the life sciences and research in this area has grown rapidly in China during recent years. In some areas, including the development of cutting-edge technology and methods, China has established a leading position internationally.

The Institute of Biophysics (IBP), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), is an important research center for protein science in China. It conducts interdisciplinary research, and has internationally recognized academic achievements, as indicated in part by the number of its high impact publications. IBP has both state of the art research facilities and a skilled research team including 11 academicians and a group of young professors whose research in the life sciences is widely recognized for its contribution to protein science research. Most of these scientists have also made outstanding academic contributions during periods of work in the US or Europe. In recent years IBP has organized many international conferences and workshops, for example, “The 3rd Asian-Pacific Biology Conference”, “The 3rd International Conference on Structural Genomics”, “The 5th International Protein Science Conference”, and a “Protein Crystallography Workshop”. IBP has also trained many graduate students and postdoctoral fellows from different countries, especially from developing countries such as Pakistan, India and Nepal. Two of IBP’s three spin-off companies (BioSino Bio-technology and Science Inc. and Beijing Baiao Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.), went public in the Hong Kong Growth Enterprise Market in 2006. Their market position in the protein industry demonstrates IBP’s success in commercialization and technology transfer.

IBP is therefore an ideal candidate for hosting this workshop. Through lectures, group discussions, and tours of our facilities and spin-off companies, trainees will have opportunities for in-depth discussions with experts who will share their experience in protein research. IBP has the strength, capability and confidence to host a successful workshop, and as a result, make a positive contribution to the promotion of scientific and technological communication and friendship between China and developing countries.

Chinese Academy of Sciences

Academy of Sciences for the Developing World

Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Prof. Chunli Bai

Vice President, TWAS

Executive Vice President, CAS

Committee

Chairman: Prof. Tao Xu (Director of IBP)

Members: Mr. Xiaoke Xia, Dr. Xianzhi Dong, Dr. Xingzhong Wan, Mr. Yunzhong Zhang, Ms. Chunhan Wang, Mr. Ming Li, Ms. Wei Yang,

Mr. Xiaoke Xia, Deputy Director of the IBP International Affairs Office, and Dr. Xianzhi Dong, Deputy Director of the IBP Technology Transfer and Liaison Office, are the event co-ordinators.

Experienced scientists and technologists including Prof. Zhushan Zhang, Prof. Fuquan Yang and assistant professors Yi Han will assist with running the workshops.

July 14-18, 2009.

Institute of Biophysics, 15 Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China

This workshop is designed for young scientists from third world countries. The workshop introduces cutting-edge techniques and methods and provides insight into new trends and paradigms in protein research. It is aimed at facilitating the development of this field in third world countries, enhancing the quality of research teams, and promoting collaboration with scientists in China.

Lectures, group discussions and tours of research and company facilities

English

25-30 young scientists from developing countries engaged in protein science, technology or related fields.

1. History,current developments and frontiers in protein research

2. Protein expression, purification, quantification, crystallization and structure analysis

3. Protein function, interaction networks and thermodynamics

4. Cutting-edge techniques and methods in protein research

5. Research & development, production and engineering of protein drugs

6. Tours of CAS protein research facilities, protein industry incubator, BioSino Bio-technology and Science Inc., and Beijing Baiao Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Accommodation and Food: The newly renovated four star Best Western Olympic Hotel Beijing is only 800 meters from IBP. Rooms and suites are equipped with high-speed internet, and satellite TV. IBP’s dining facilities include a large (3000 m²) dining hall which provides a wide range of Chinese cuisine and a smaller restaurant with individual rooms.

Transportation: IBP is situated adjacent to the Olympic Village, and public transportation is therefore very convenient. There are many bus routes and a subway station nearby. IBP has a coach and five cars that can be made available if required.

Host organisation: IBP is a leading basic research institute in the life sciences and has global recognition. Among the staff there are 11 CAS academicians, 4 academicians of the Third World Academy of Sciences and 67 PIs. The main research fields that IBP focuses on are protein science and brain & cognitive science. IBP is preparing to establish the National Laboratory of Protein Science as a development of the current National Key Laboratory of Biomacromolecules. IBP established the CAS protein research platform, which cost over 80 million RMB in its first phase, and provides a talented research team of senior experts and full-time technicians. The protein research platform has state-of-the-art equipment for protein research, and provides services to over 100 research institutes, universities and companies. Many excellent results arising from this research have been published in top scientific journals such as Nature, Cell and Science. IBP is currently preparing for the second phase of development of this protein research platform which has already received approval from CAS. BioSino Bio-technology and Science Inc., one of IBP’s spin-off companies is the largest manufacturer of biochemical diagnostic reagents in China. Utilising IBP’s patented technologies, Beijing Baiao Pharmaceuticals Co., Ltd. has become the largest manufacturer in the world of the anti-thrombosis drug, Lumbrokinase. Collectively, achievements in the fields of scientific research, teaching and biotechnology provide a solid foundation for the success of this workshop.

We plan to strengthen communication and collaboration with developing countries, and build extensive networks and communication channels in the form of follow-up visits.

Ms. Wei Yang

Tel: +86-10-64889860

Fax: +86-10-64889860

E-mail: yangw@moon.ibp.ac.cn

Mr. Xiaoke Xia

Tel: +86-10-64889860

Fax: +86-10-64889860

E-mail: xiaxk@ibp.ac.cn