The Medicinal Plant Research Institute of Yunnan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (YAAS) was established in September 2004. Based on Yunnan’s rich medicinal plant resources and unique geographic and location advantages, the institute focuses on the strategic industrial development needs of Yunnan’s biomedical sector. The research is mainly centered on the conservation of medicinal plant resources, species selection, introduction and domestication, standardization of cultivation, harvesting and processing, quality management, and comprehensive utilization. The Institute currently employs 49 people.
The Institute has three main research laboratories:
- Medicinal Plant Resources and Breeding Research Laboratory: Focuses on the conservation of Yunnan’s traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and ethnomedicine resources. The laboratory is mainly engaged in the census and monitoring of TCM resources, collection and evaluation of medicinal plant germplasm resources, research on rare and endangered medicinal plant conservation and breeding techniques, domestication, cultivation and wild nursery techniques, basic physiological and ecological research, and genetic basis of medicinal plants. It is also responsible for the construction and management of medicinal plant germplasm resource bases and breeding bases.
- Medicinal Plant Cultivation Research Laboratory: Specializes in the cultivation and production of TCM and national medicine. It is mainly focused on research related to cultivation patterns, fertilization technologies, pest and weed control methods, the selection and breeding of medicinal fungi, and standardized production. This laboratory also works on the application and demonstration of new technologies in traditional Chinese medicine agriculture.
- Medicinal Plant Chemistry Laboratory: This laboratory focuses on the chemistry and active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicine and ethnomedicine. It carries out research on the extraction processes, analytical methods, quality standards, and hazardous pollutant detection in TCM. It also investigates the technology of harvesting, processing, warehousing, and the development of new products like health food, cosmetics, green pesticides, and feed additives.
More information (in Chinese): https://yunnan.agriir.cn/organization/detail/405dc9fe-2997-11e7-b5f5-3440b5b17484.html?projectId=405d92be-2997-11e7-b5f5-3440b5b17484
