Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is an integrated academic research institution which devotes to the studies of life processes of inland aquatic organisms, ecological environment protection and utilization of biological resources. The predecessor of the institute was Natural History Museum of Academia Sinica which was founded in Nanjing in January 1930. In July 1934, it was renamed as Institute of Zoology and Botany, Academia Sinica. In May 1944, the institute was divided into two institutes, i.e. Institute of Zoology and Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica. After the establishment of Chinese Academy of Sciences, the main divisions of Institute of Zoology, Academia Sinica, together with divisions of phycology both in the Institute of Botany, Academia Sinica and Shandong University, researchers from the National Academy of Beiping, were merged into the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in February 1950. IHB moved from Shanghai to Wuhan in September 1954.
In accordance with the state’s strategic requirements in water environment protection, fishery sustainable development and utilization of microalgal biofuels, the strategic development goals of IHB are aimed at making significant breakthroughs in the S&T theories and key technologies of the major fundamental, strategic and perspective S&T issues related with life processes of inland aquatic organisms, ecological environment protection and utilization of biological resources; strengthening the extension of innovation value chain; playing a leading and demonstrative role in water environment protection, fishery sustainable development and utilization of microalgal biofuels.
IHB boasts 9 academicians of the CAS successively. At present, there are 351 employees, among whom 259 are scientists and technical staffs, 177 are supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of the CAS, 5 academicians of the CAS, 2 academicians of the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS), 52 professors, 69 associate professors and senior engineers, 86 technicians, engineers and assistant professors. In addition, IHB boasts 4 chief scientists of the National Key Basic Research Program (also called 973 Program) and 8 winners of National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars. 19 professors have been elected into the CAS “One-Hundred-Talent” Program , 1 professor has been elected into the "Thousand Young Talents” Program launched by the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee, 5 professors have been elected into the national "New Century Talents” Program,
At present, there are six research centers at IHB, i.e. Center for Aquatic Biodiversity and Resource Conservation, Center for Freshwater Ecology, Center for Fish Biology and Fishery Biotechnology, Center for Water Environment Engineering, Center for Water Environment and Human Health and Center for Algal Biology and Applied Research. The institute also boasts a research center which is located in Huai’an, Jiangsu province and a Resource and Service Center, consisting of an Instruments and Analytical Center, National Zebrafish Resources Center and China’s largest Freshwater Algae Culture Collection (FACHB).
Moreover, the State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Center for Freshwater Fisheries Engineering (Wuhan), Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation, Hubei Engineering and Technology Center for Water Ecology, Wuhan Engineering Research Center for Water Environment are affiliated to IHB. Asia’s largest Museum for Aquatic Organisms and Baiji Dolphinarium are set up in the institute. Among these research organizations, the State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology has been ranked as excellent laboratory for three consecutive times, and Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems was chosen as one of the National Field Observation and Scientific Research Stations.
Since the establishment of IHB, nearly 600 scientific research achievements have been accomplished. Since 1981, more than 130 research achievements have been given awards at national, provincial or ministry level. More than 120 academic monographs and some 4,500 scientific papers have been edited and published. The institute has entered a new phase of historic development since it joined the CAS Knowledge Innovation Project in 2001. Its ability to undertake national key projects has been greatly strengthened through goal setting and structure adjustments.
In recent years, IHB scientists take the initiative to conduct a series of national key projects, including projects supported by National Key Basic Research Programs (973 Programs), National High-Tech Research and Development Programs (863 Programs), National Science & Technology Pillar Programs, NSFC programs and other important research programs, thus accomplishing a number of research achievements that both have great breakthrough in theories and application. The number of SCI indexed papers that have been published increased from 56 in 2000 to 214 in 2011 and the quality of papers has also been improved apparently. In addition, the number of academic monographs that have been published and projects that have been granted is increasing year by year.
Some important technology innovations or technology integrations which play active roles in the protection of water environment and in the sustainable development of fisheries are becoming more and more successful and mature in application. These achievements answer a series of advanced scientific questions on molecular phylogeny of fishes, algal biology, fish genetics and breeding, freshwater ecology, water environment engineering and conservation biology so as to meet the growing demands of water pollution treatment and ecological fisheries development in China. These achievements have an extensive impact on society and produced great socio-economic benefits.
IHB emphasizes the role of “scientific national team” in hydrobiology. It actively promotes local scientific projects and takes part in local economic development. Using the infrastructure of National Research Center for Freshwater Fisheries Engineering (Wuhan), IHB aims at speeding up the transformation of fishery modes, commercialization of environmental friendly aquaculture feed and also supervise the establishment of a number of aquatic hatcheries at both national and provincial levels. IHB also extend a set of core techniques for water treatment and purification through Hubei Engineering and Technology Center for Water Ecology and Wuhan Engineering and Technology Research Center of Water Ecology.
IHB frequently communicates and cooperates with foreign institutions. Over the past decade, it has sent nearly 800 scholars to over 30 countries and regions for the purpose of conducting cooperation and researches with foreign researchers, or for advanced studies and short-term visits. In the meantime, it has also received more than 2,200 scholars and experts from nearly 40 countries to undertake academic exchanges, cooperation and advanced studies in China. IHB participates in the international cooperative research projects, such as America’s “Tree of life” research project. It also actively engages in international multi-lateral cooperation, such as joint investigation project on freshwater dolphins, international training classes on water environment protection and water pollution control, Cross-Strait Conference on Constructed Wetland etc.
IHB’s postdoctoral research station is authorized by the state to confer PhD degrees in four majors, i.e. hydrobiology, genetics, environmental sciences and marine biology, master degrees in six majors, i.e. zoology, hydrobiology, genetics, environmental sciences, environment engineering and aquaculture, and Master of Engineering in biological and environmental engineering. It is also qualified to enroll and foster students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign countries. At present, there are 476 graduate students, 38 postdoctoral research fellows and 10 senior visiting scholars in the institute.
