Shanghai, 25 April 2025 – Leading British and Chinese scientists gathered this week at the CEPAMS Annual Symposium to strengthen research ties in plant and microbial science. The three-day event, co-hosted by the John Innes Centre and Chinese Academy of Sciences partners, highlighted cutting-edge work in crop resilience, sustainable agriculture and AI-driven bioscience.

The opening ceremony featured addresses by eminent Chinese scientists including Academicians Zhihong Xu and Zixin Deng, who reflected on four decades of UK-China scientific exchange since their early careers at JIC. Professor Bin Han, Director of the CAS Center for Excellence in Molecular Plant Sciences, outlined ambitious plans for the partnership's next phase.

Plenary speaker Academician Sanwen Huang (Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences) presented groundbreaking genomic strategies for crop improvement, while Professor Saskia Hogenhout FRS (John Innes Centre) shared new findings on plant-microbe interactions. Dedicated sessions explored AI applications in genomic prediction and molecular design, drawing strong participation from early-career researchers.

"CEPAMS continues to demonstrate the power of international collaboration in tackling global food security challenges," said Professor Dame Caroline Dean FRS. The symposium concluded with plans to expand joint research initiatives in climate-resilient crops and sustainable agriculture.

Speech at the Opening Ceremony

Conference Reporters

The Chairs for Each Session

The Winners of the Best Posters

Group Photo of the Conference