Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation (2009)

The Tianjin Key Laboratory at Nankai University School of Medicine, was first approved as the Tianjin Key Laboratory of Model Animal and Neurodegenerative Diseases in 2009. This lab was later renamed as The Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation in 2013 due to a research direction change and is now directed by Professor Rong Xiang.

Research Directions:

(1)Cancer Stem Cells (CSCs) and Tumor Microenvironment: interaction between tumor microenvironment and CSCs; role of CSCs in tumorigenesis and recurrence; screening of small molecular CSC-inhibitors using zebra-fish model.

(2)Development of targeted drugs: targeted anti-tumor drugs and carriers based on molecular targets discovered in tumor microenvironment.

2011 Project Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy of Ministry of Education

The Plan of Innovation Ability Enhancement for Institutions of Higher Learning, also known as the “2011 Plan”, is managed by the Chinese government to promote collaborative innovation and dynamic integration of higher education, science and technology, economy, and culture. The 2011 Plan is the third state-level strategic project in higher education following the 211 Project and 985 Project.

The “2011 Project” Collaborative Innovation Center for Biotherapy at Nankai University, certified by the Ministry of Education of China, is a research institute for inter-disciplinary innovations including biology, medicine, chemistry and pharmacy. The center is demand-oriented, fully opened-up, highly integrated and innovation-led while it aims to satisfy urgent demands of China and become one of the top research institutes worldwide.

Funded by the “2011 Project”, the center plans to create a sustainable developmental mode to achieve technological innovations through basic scientific research, the integration of industry, research and learning, and the optimized utilization of resources. Meanwhile, the center will also promote the cooperation among universities, institutes and firms in China and abroad. The center is focusing on the following topics: 1.Cancer stem cells and tumor microenvironment; 2. Design, synthesis and screening of small molecular drugs; 3. Design of biological vaccines.

International Collaborative Laboratory of Biomedicine of the Ministry of Education (2015)

The International Collaborative Laboratory of Biomedicine at Nankai University, is founded on the basis of the State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Program of Introducing Talents of Discipline to Universities (111 Project), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation etc. Currently directed by Professor Rong Xiang, the lab is focusing on critical diseases including tumor and cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases while it has developed partnerships with some top research institutes and universities from USA, France, and Sweden etc.

Tianjin International S & T Cooperation Base (2015)

Tianjin International S & T Cooperation Base is established based on the Tianjin Key Laboratory of Tumor Microenvironment and Neurovascular Regulation, and have established collaborations with Cornell University, Albert Einstein College of Medicine and REGN in the United States in cancer stem cells, tumor metastasis and angiogenesis.

The State International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Tumor Immunology and Biological Vaccines (2016)

The State International Science & Technology Cooperation Base of Tumor Immunology and Biological Vaccines, which is founded based on the Medical International Collaborative Innovation Center of the School of Medicine, Nankai University, has abundant experience in international cooperations as we maintain long-term partnerships with the Scripps Research Institute, USA, Paris Descartes Université, France, Centre de Recherche en Cancérologie de Lyon, France and Karolinska Institute, Sweden. Through international collaborations, we have introduced some advanced techniques from abroad in tumor, vaccines and small molecular drugs to enhance researches in China.

The base will take full advantage of the One Belt One Road Initiative of China to introduce advanced techniques from developed countries while providing S & T assistance to developing countries. We are now seeking for collaborations with research institutes, universities and medical institutes in Thailand to establish local joint laboratories to promote their research level in translational medicine and biological vaccines. In the future, we plan to provide further assistance in talent training and technic assistance such that our projects can play a long-term role in international S & T cooperations.