First Max Planck-CAS joint center for synthetic biochemistry opens in SZ

Video by Jian Zheng, Shao Jingfeng

The Max Planck-Chinese Academy of Sciences Center for Synthetic Biochemistry was officially inaugurated April 18 at the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS).

The center is the first collaborative research initiative between the Max Planck Society (MPG) and the CAS specifically focused on the synthetic biology. MPG is a leading German research organization dedicated to fundamental scientific exploration across diverse disciplines.

Participants pose for a photo during the inauguration ceremony. Photos courtesy of SIAT

The partnership between the CAS and the MPG dates back to 1974 and has produced numerous successful joint programs. On April 13, the two organizations signed a formal agreement establishing the new center.

Hosted and managed jointly by the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology (MPI-TM) and the SIAT, the center is designed to serve as a premier international platform for academic and industrial collaboration in the synthetic biochemistry.

Research at the center will focus on harnessing the potential of microorganism-derived natural products for applications in medicine, agriculture, and beyond. It will leverage Shenzhen's state-of-the-art synthetic biology infrastructure, including automated cultivation, high-throughput analysis, and genetic engineering of microorganizms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. The facility is equipped to characterize microbial metabolites, elucidate their molecular structures, and generate standardized datasets to guide further experimentation.

Liu Chenli, director of the SIAT and co-director of the new center, described the launch as a milestone in SIAT's role in global innovation. “The center will foster bilateral collaboration, advance major scientific initiatives, and support the development of early-career researchers,” Liu said. “It is envisioned as a world-class collaborative platform where scientists can work together on innovative research to address shared challenges in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing.”

“Shenzhen embodies openness, innovation, and transformation on a global scale,” said Prof. Patrick Cramer, president of the Max Planck Society. Highlighting the city’s advanced synthetic biology infrastructure, he added, “I hope this new center will become a vivid example of the very best in Sino-German scientific cooperation — a place where outstanding science thrives and young researchers flourish.”

Participants visit the Shenzhen Synthetic Biology Infrastructure in Guangming Science City. 

Cramer also emphasized the Max Planck Society’s commitment to international collaboration: “We aim to work with the best research organizations in the world. Shenzhen, particularly the SIAT, ranks among the top research institutes globally. We are eager to expand our collaboration in China and across Asia, one of the most dynamic regions in the world.”

The new center builds on a series of prior engagements, including the 2025 CAS-MPG Summer School and the recent 50th-anniversary celebrations of CAS–Max Planck collaboration. Its establishment further reinforces Shenzhen’s status as a global hub for innovation and technology. The timing coincides with preparations for the APEC 2026 summit, which Shenzhen will host, further highlighting the city’s growing international profile as a center of scientific and technological excellence.