Prof. GAO Fu (George F. Gao), a prominent scientist at Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) was elected as CAS academician on December 20, 2013.

CAS academician is the highest academic honor in the field of science and technology in China and the selection is based on academic achievements and scientific contributions.

Prof. GAO is an influential scientist who pioneers the interspecies transmission study on influenza virus. He focuses on the interactions between viral surface glycoproteins and their receptors. In the past years, he and his team successfully elucidated the origin, ‘host jump’ and drug resistance of influenza virus, such as H7N9 and H5N1. The gained knowledge is precious and useful for design of preventive and curative anti-viral agents.

He also extended his research to other enveloped viruses, and delineated the receptor-binding basis of viruses such as MERS-CoV, measles virus, and herpes simplex virus, etc. His study also demonstrated the interactive mechanisms of the crucial immune molecules (e.g. CD8) and other immune receptors/ligands, and illuminated the cellular immune mechanisms of key pathogens.

This title honors his contribution to the understanding of the molecular basis of the pathogenicity of influenza viruses and other enveloped viruses, which provides insight into drug development and the prevention and control of infection.

A group of 62 elite Chinese and foreign scientists were formally inducted as CAS members this year and CAS President BAI Chunli conferred them Academician certificates.

CAS President BAI Chunli Conferring Academician Certificate to Prof. GAO Fu (Image by CAS)