The Institute of Virology and Biotechnology at Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences (ZAAS) was founded in 1984 and focuses on basic research to advance the traditional agricultural sector both within and outside the province using modern biotechnology. It conducts fundamental and applied research in agricultural biomics, modern biotechnology, plant virology, and related fields, aiming to discover new genes, analyze networks, and explain mechanisms. The institute supports molecular breeding of new cultivars by developing key techniques for germplasm creation. Its research is categorized into four main areas: crop functional genomics, crop molecular breeding, virology and detoxification, and animal biotechnology. The institute is developing platforms for efficient genetic bio-transformation and wide hybridization to study trans-gene and gene modification in crops such as rice, maize, soybean, kiwi, canola, and animals like pigs and chickens. It provides genetic transformation services for grain crops, vegetables, fruit trees, and flowers at ZAAS, supporting gene function analysis and breeding. The institute is also responsible for the development of the Zhejiang Mid-term Genebank for Crops and has established 46 demonstration fields to promote its fine cultivars. Additionally, it collaborates with domestic universities on joint postgraduate training programs.
More information (in Chinese): http://www.zaas.ac.cn.
