Brief Introduction--Shanghai Institut of Immunity and Infection, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Brief Introduction

The Shanghai Institute of Immunity and Infection of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (SIII-CAS), formerly known as the Institut Pasteur of Shanghai of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was founded on October 11, 2004, and is affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The Institute is dedicated to conduct fundamental and applied research of major infectious diseases, to advance the theories of pathogen biology, immunology and vaccinology, and to develop the innovative technologies for the control and prevention of infectious diseases. In addition, the Institute is making a lot of efforts to promote the international cooperation in the field of merging & remerging infectious diseases, and actively contribute to the promotion of global public health. The main research directions include:

· Pathogen discovery, tracing and transmission mechanisms.

Establish a stable interdisciplinary research system covering basic, clinical and preventive medicines. Tackle the critical scientific challenges in novel pathogen discovery, surveillance and early warning via systematic research upon pathogen isolation, characterization, origin-tracing, evolution and cross-species transmission mechanisms. Actively participate and contribute to the global surveillance against emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.

· Host-pathogen interactions and related counter-measurements.

Elucidate the molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathogenesis and of the host susceptibility against infections caused by respiratory, blood borne, gastrointestinal or vector-borne pathogens. Reveal the key pathogenesis and host-response mechanisms underlining the whole disease course of acute or chronic infections. Explore cutting-edge countermeasures of prevention and control against novel infections.

· Innovative techniques and medical products against infectious diseases.

Emphasize the R&D of technology innovation aiming at development of novel drugs, therapeutic antibodies and vaccines. Establish efficient laboratory platforms including animal facilities for experimental evaluation of antibodies and vaccines. Improve the implementation and transformation mechanisms to facilitate value-realization of the innovative techniques and products for infection prevention, control and treatment.

· Infectious diseases and human microbiomes.

Study the mechanisms underlining human microbiomes co-evolving with their hosts along the whole life cycle and interactively impacting the hosts’ physiology and immunity under special scenarios. Understand the impact of human microbiome upon host’s microbiota perturbation/homeostasis and immune responses along infection. Develop symbiotic microorganisms-related infection detection and diagnosis techniques and intervention strategies.

The two research units - the CAS Key Laboratory of Molecular Virology and Immunology and the Center for Microbes, Development and Health (CMDH, a newly created research Center devoted to the gut microbiota) - own 29 research groups. The Institute is also authorized the doctoral and postgraduate degrees for the first-level disciplines - biology and preclinical medicine.

As of June 30, 2023, 140 active staffs (29 as principals and 20 as associates) and 22 post-docs have been serving for the Institute. There are 263 graduate students currently enrolled in the Institute, of which 173 are enrolled in the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (95 PhDs, 57 masters, 21 international students), 60 associate students and 30 interns.

The public support and service providers include Public Technical Service Center, Management Center for Assets and Procurement, and Research Center for Biosafety Policy. Administrative departments cover Office of General Administration and Party Affairs (also fulfilling the responsibility of the Office of Discipline Supervision and Inspection), Division of Science and Technology Development & Cooperation (Office of International Cooperation), Division of Human Resource and Graduate Students, Division of Accounting, and Division of Logistics, Property Management and Security.

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