The Synthetic Biology and Industrial Collaboration Conference was held on Dec 17 in Hohhot, capital of North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Experts and representatives from the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and several other prominent institutions gathered to share achievements and foster collaborations.

Cutting-edge synthetic biology advancements were showcased, including 44 projects introduced by leading research institutes such as the Tianjin Institute of Industrial Biotechnology under the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai Jiao Tong University's State Key Laboratory of Microbial Metabolism, and Shandong University's State Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology.

The event featured the signing of four cooperative projects, with a total investment of 3.1 billion yuan ($426 million), and the launch of the Bio-Manufacturing Valley initiative.

As one of the six key industrial clusters prioritized by Hohhot's municipal government, the biomedical industry boasts a complete value chain, from corn processing to finished pharmaceuticals. This year, Hohhot has used its unique geographic and resource advantages to seize opportunities in the emerging synthetic biology sector. Focusing on innovation, the city aims to build an integrated ecosystem encompassing research, development, and commercialization.

Hohhot plans to implement policies to enhance its support for synthetic biology, establish cutting-edge innovation platforms, and accelerate the development of its Bio-Manufacturing Valley. The initiative seeks to unite resources and drive technological advancements, achieving seamless collaboration across the entire value chain "from a kernel of corn to a pill".