Shanghai Institute of Virology was inaugurated in Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine

In order to align with Shanghai's goal of accelerating the construction of a scientific and technological innovation center with global influence, and to accelerate the construction of the world's safest city for public health, a high-level research institution dedicated to virology source innovation and clinical translation will be built in Shanghai. September 26, the Shanghai Institute of Virology held the inauguration ceremony at the Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine. Wu Qing, Member of the Standing Committee of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee and Executive Vice Mayor, attended the meeting.

SARS, MERS, Ebola, COVID-19... These major infectious diseases that threaten human life, health and socio-economic development not only pose severe challenges to the existing public health system, but also pose major risks and challenges to the country's long-term stability. Virology research has become a must-have in international research.

The newly established Shanghai Institute of Virology is jointly built by the Shanghai Municipal People's Government and Shanghai Jiaotong University, and a virologist, Professor Guan Yi, is hired as the first director of the Shanghai Institute of Virology. The Institute will integrate the disciplinary advantages of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine in virology-related fields, and focus on three research directions: virus evolution and cross-host transmission mechanism, pathogenic mechanism of virus-related major diseases, and diagnosis, treatment and transformation of virus infection. The innovative source and transformation highland of virological research with international influence will be built into a gathering and cultivation place for the peak talents of virological research and transformation in the world.

Academician Fan Xianqun, Dean of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, said that Shanghai Institute of Virology is an important strategic measure for the School of Medicine of Shanghai Jiao Tong University to actively connect with major Chinese and Shanghai strategies to serve the health needs of the people on the occasion of its 70th anniversary. The institute will further innovate the system and mechanism, gather high-level innovative talents, promote the original innovation of virology research, accelerate the breakthrough of key core technologies, and realize the transformation of high-level achievements. The community makes due contributions to the Medical College of Jiaotong University.

Guan Yi said that virological research has an extremely important position and significance in human health, medicine and even Chinese security. The Shanghai Institute of Virology will further focus on the frontiers of virology in the world and the need for Shanghai to build the world's safest public health city. In the future, it will become a world-class virology research center and become an important component of Shanghai's biomedical industry cluster.

According to the plan, the Institute will deepen the cooperation and sharing mechanism in the field of virology research, adhere to the principles of open cooperation and resource sharing, and integrate multiple advantageous forces to participate in and promote the Institute through the establishment of interoperability and cooperation mechanisms such as collaborative research, achievement sharing, and personnel academic exchanges. Build a platform for the transformation of achievements, and help the development of Shanghai's biopharmaceutical industry.

Vice Mayors Chen Qun and Zong Ming attended the meeting.