The Institute of Edible Fungi at Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) was established in 1960 and is the earliest professional research institute of edible fungi in China. It has a complete scientific research system, diverse disciplines, a high level of personnel, and strong comprehensive technical capabilities. The institute employs 71 staff members and focuses on key research areas including genetic engineering, resource and germplasm innovation, physiology and facility cultivation, processing and fermentation technology, and industrial economy and information.
The institute is home to several prestigious national and international research centers, such as the National Engineering and Technology Research Center of Edible Mushroom, the Key Laboratory of Southern Edible Mushroom Resource Utilization of the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Shanghai Center for Standardized Breeding of Excellent Strains of Edible Mushroom for Export. It also houses the National Mushroom Processing Technology R&D Sub-Center, the Base for Introducing Foreign Intelligence of the State Administration of Foreign Affairs, the China Agricultural Microorganisms Preservation Center Mushroom Sub-Center, the Shanghai Edible Mushroom High-Efficiency Production and Processing Industry Technology Innovation Strategic Alliance, the Shanghai Key Laboratory of Agricultural Genetic Breeding Fungus Branch, the Shanghai Natural Medicinal Resources Research and Development Center, and other national and international research centers.
In terms of scientific research platforms, the institute has established the Shanghai Natural Medicinal Resources Research and Development Center and houses the Edible Mushroom Branch of the Chinese Society of Agriculture.
The institute has established strong collaborations with universities and research institutions in over 20 countries and regions. It has developed a comprehensive talent training system that ranges from training junior professionals to offering master’s and doctoral programs. Additionally, the institute organizes international training courses on edible and medicinal mushrooms, particularly for developing countries, through partnerships with the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Agriculture.
More information: https://www.saas.sh.cn/syj.
