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 requirements, the overall goal of IHB is aimed at developing and advancing freshwater ecology, aquatic biodiversity, resources conservation, fishery biotechnology and water environment engineering so as to solve important worldwide issues on the deterioration of water eco-environment and the water quality-induced water shortage. Through organic combination of these researches at three levels, i.e. fundamental, applied fundamental and applied research levels, strategic and prospective contributions can be made to the protection of water eco-environment and promotion of fishery sustainable development. IHB is now doing its best to set itself up as one of the world’s famous research institutes that can represent China’s highest level in the field of hydrobiology.

IHB boasts 9 academicians of the CAS successively. At present, there are 288 employees, among whom 193 are scientists and technical staffs, 172 are supported by the Knowledge Innovation Program of the CAS, 5 academicians of the CAS, 42 professors, 59 associate professors and senior engineers, 83 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. There are 13 professors who entered the One-Hundred-Talent Program which was launched by the CAS.

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 an Instruments and Analytical Center and a research center located in Huai’an, Jiangsu province. 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, Baiji Dolphinarium and China’s largest Freshwater Algae Culture Collection (FACHB) 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 4,000 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 241 in 2009 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 and international training classes on constructed wetland, etc.

There are one postdoctoral station in biology, four research directions authorized to award doctoral degree, which are hydrobiology, genetics, environmental science and marine biology, and five research directions authorized to award master degree, which are zoology, hydrobiology, genetics, environmental science and environment engineering, in the institute. It is also qualified to enroll and foster students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and foreign countries. At present, the number of postgraduate students, postdoctoral research fellows and senior visiting scholars is up to 480.