The Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IMCAS) is a research institution affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences, established on December 3, 1958. It has since grown into one of the largest national comprehensive microbiology research institutions in China and internationally. The institute adheres to the strategic positioning of “microbiology, high technology, and large-scale industry.” Its primary research areas include pathogenic microorganisms and immunology, microbial resources, and microbial technology. It houses the Microbial Resources and Biotechnology Research Laboratory, the Mycology and Innovative Technology Research Laboratory, the Agricultural Microbiome and Biotechnology Research Laboratory, the Pathogenic Microorganisms and Immunology Research Laboratory, and the Microbial Physiology and Metabolic Engineering Research Laboratory. It also has infrastructure platforms such as the China General Microbial Strain Preservation Center, the National Microbial Science Data Center, a high-level biosafety laboratory, and a fungal specimen museum. The institute is located in the Chinese Academy of Sciences Olympic Village Campus, adjacent to a national 5A-level forest park.
The High-Level Research Group led by Gao Fu in the Pathogenic Microorganisms and Immunology Research Laboratory has published numerous papers in top-tier international journals such as Nature, Science, Cell, The Lancet, and the New England Journal of Medicine in recent years. The COVID-19 recombinant subunit vaccine developed by the laboratory has been approved for market release in China and five other countries, including Uzbekistan. The COVID-19 neutralizing antibody developed by the laboratory has been approved for market release in 17 countries, including the United States and the European Union. The COVID-19 antigen self-test kit developed by the laboratory has been approved for market release by the National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). After years of accumulation, the laboratory has established a one-stop research platform spanning basic research—including virus discovery, receptor invasion mechanisms, virus cross-species transmission mechanisms, and tumor immunology—to applied research, including antibody, vaccine, and small-molecule drug development.
