Founded in 1987, it passed the acceptance inspection and was officially opened for operation in 1989. It is the first national key laboratory in China to conduct molecular virology and genetic engineering research, and has been rated as an outstanding national key laboratory many times. The current director of the laboratory is Researcher Jin Qi.
The laboratory is mainly engaged in applied basic research on molecular virology and viral genetic engineering. Its research directions are:
(1) Development of biotech drugs to prevent and treat severe viral diseases and virus-related malignant tumors;
(2) Genome and protein structure and function of important viruses;
(3) Regulation and control of viral genome expression;
(4) Viral elements and viral vectors.
The current main research contents include:
(1) Genetic engineering of new virus-related cytokines;
(2) New vaccine and antibody engineering to prevent and treat viral diseases ;
(3) Viral genome structure and function, viral vectors;
(4) Diagnostic technologies such as viral nucleic acid chips;
(5) Important viruses Molecular epidemiology;
(6) Comparative genomics of viruses and other microorganisms. In order to meet the country's needs for the prevention and control of major infectious diseases, the key laboratory will adjust and supplement the research on bacterial and fungal diseases and other pathogens.
Since its establishment, the laboratory has achieved a series of major scientific research results:
(1) In terms of genome engineering research, it has completed the largest animal virus? my country's vaccinia virus Tiantan strain and After the determination and analysis of the complete genome sequences of avian adenovirus and enterovirus 71, we were the first in the world to complete the determination and analysis of the complete genome of Shigella flexneri 2a, the pathogenic bacterium that causes dysentery, a common disease in my country;
(2) We were the first to discover and prove E. coli enhancer-like sequences in the world, and used this discovery to develop research on genetic engineering drugs. We successfully developed two highly versatile new E. coli high-efficiency expression vectors and became a domestically recognized company. One of the most commonly used biological materials in genetic engineering laboratories;
(3) In terms of anti-viral research, a series of genetically engineered human alpha-type interferon products were successfully developed and became the first batch of high-tech products put on the market in my country. , among which type a1b interferon is a new class I drug, the first of its kind in my country, used to treat common diseases and frequently-occurring diseases in my country;
(4) In terms of research on antiviral drugs of traditional Chinese medicine, the antiviral effect of the traditional Chinese medicine Astragalus membranaceus was discovered for the first time Infectious effects, and elucidated the synergistic effect of astragalus and interferon on antiviral effects.
The laboratory has won more than 40 awards at the provincial and ministerial levels, including 1 first-class National Science and Technology Progress Award, 7 second-class National Science and Technology Progress Awards, 1 second-class National Natural Science Award, and a National Invention Award. He has won 1 third prize, 1 fourth prize of National Natural Science Award, and 10 first prizes of Health Science and Technology Progress Awards; he has won 9 new drug certificates; he has published scientific research in famous academic journals at home and abroad, including "Cell" and "Science". He has published nearly 500 papers, more than 10 monographs, more than 50 patents, and has trained more than 100 doctoral students.