The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) announced new members on May 23, 2016. Prof. George Fu Gao (GAO Fu), Chinese scientist from the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, was elected as an associate member of EMBO.

Gao has engaged himself in pathogenic microbiology and immunology for a long time, and in recent years, his research has focused on mechanisms of interspecies transmission ("host jump") of emerging pathogens, especially the interaction between the enveloped viruses and host, and public health policy and global public health strategy. He has published more than 370 peer-reviewed scientific papers (including papers in Cell, Nature, Science, Lancet, New England Journal of Medicine, Proceedings of National Academy of Sciences-USA, etc.). He was elected as the Member of Chinese Academy of Sciences (2013), Fellow of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (2014), Fellow of American Academy of Microbiology (2015) and Associate Member of European Molecular Biology Organization (2016).

EMBO was founded in 1964 and known as a professional organization of life scientists in Europe. The major goals of the organization are to support talented researchers at all stages of their careers, stimulate the exchange of scientific information, and help build a European research environment where scientists can achieve their best work. Election to EMBO Membership is recognition of excellent research and outstanding achievements made by a life scientist. Before Gao, only six Chinese scientists have been elected as the associate members of EMBO: Prof. YANG Huanming (2006), Prof. LI Jiayang and Prof. SHI Yigong (2013), Prof. WANG Xiaodong (2014), Prof. CAO Xuetao and Prof. SHAO Feng (2015).