The 2014 TWAS Symposium on Industrial Biotechnology (2014 TSIB) was held in Beijing from October 15-19 2014 at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS).

The symposium gave an overview of the opportunities and barriers to the industrial and environmental application of biotechnology in developing countries. Moreover, discussions were focused on systems & synthetic biotechnology, cell factory and bio-based products, environmental biotechnology and sustainable development and industrial biotechnology for health.

With the theme of “Industrial Biotechnology: Sustainable Solution for Developing Countries”, 2014 TSIB provided a good opportunity for researchers from developing countries to exchange ideas, share experiences, and promote international collaboration to explore the potential solutions to shortage in food, medicine and serious environmental problems.

Prof. DONG Xiuzhu, Deputy Director of IMCAS extended her warmest welcome to all guests and participants. Prof. Hamed M El-Shora from Mansoura University representing all the participants from developing countries delivered an opening speech. The opening ceremony was chaired by Dr. YU Bo, Deputy Director of CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence of Biotechnology at the Institute of Microbiology, CAS.

Dr. RU Zhitao, Program Manager of Division of Comprehensive Affairs, Bureau of International Cooperation attended the closing ceremony and introduced “CAS President’s International Fellowship Initiative” (PIFI) in detail. Prof. LI Yin, Director of CAS-TWAS Centre of Excellence for Biotechnology (CoEBio) welcomed students and scholars from developing countries to carry out multilateral and bilateral cooperation.

This symposium was co-sponsored by CAS and TWAS, organized by CAS-TWAS CoEBio, together with IMCAS, and co-organized by CAS Key Laboratory of Microbial Physiological and Metabolic Engineering and Beijing Society of Microbiology.

Around 100 participants from 14 developing countries, including America, Germany, the Netherlands, Egypt, India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Nepal, Mongolia, Yemen, Nigeria, Kenya, Pakistan, and China attended this symposium.

-Group Photo-