Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) is an integrated academic research institution which devotes to the studies of life process of inland aquatic organism, ecological environment protection and researches on the 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 of Academia Sinica. In May 1944, the institute was divided into two institutes, i.e. the Institute of Zoology and the Institute of Botany. After the establishment of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the main body of the Institute of Zoology, sections of phycology in the Institute of Botany and Shandong University, and some researchers from the National Academy of Beiping were merged into the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences in February 1950. IHB was moved from Shanghai to Wuhan in September 1954.

In accordance with the state requirement, the overall goal of scientific researches at IHB is aimed at developing and advancing freshwater ecology, aquatic biodiversity, resources conservation, fishery biotechnology and researches on 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 on three levels, i.e. fundamental, applied fundamental and applied researches levels, strategic and prospective contributions can be made to the protection of water eco-environment and promotion of sustainable development of fisheries. 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 or technical staffs and 172 are creative personnel, including 5 academicians of the CAS, 42 professors, 59 associate professors or senior technical staffs. In addition, IHB boasts 4 chief scientists of the National Key Basic Research Program and 8 winners of National Fund for Distinguished Younger Scholars. There are 8 people 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. Moreover, the State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, National Research Center for Freshwater Fisheries Engineering (Wuhan), Donghu Experimental Station of Lake Ecosystems, Hubei Engineering and Technology Center for Water Ecology, Wuhan Engineering Research Center for Water Environment and the Key Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Conservation of Chinese Academy of Sciences have been affiliated to IHB. Asia’s largest Museum of Freshwater Fishes, Museum of Yangtze River Dolphins and China’s largest Freshwater Algae Culture Collection (FACHB) are set up in the institute. Among these centers and labs, 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 were chosen as one of the National Field Observation and Scientific Research Stations.

Ever since the establishment of IHB, there have been nearly 600 scientific research achievements being accomplished. Since 1981, more than 130 research achievements have been awarded honors at national or 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. Through goal setting and structure adjustments, IHB has obviously strengthened its ability to undertake national key projects. Recent years, scientists at IHB take the initiative to conduct a series of national key projects, including National Key Basic Research Program, National “863” Program, National Natural Science Foundation and other important scientific research projects, thus making a number of research achievements that both have great breakthrough on theories and promising prospect for application. The number of SCI papers that have been published increased from 56 in 2000 to 191 in 2008 and the quality of papers are improved apparently. Besides, the number of academic monographs that have been published and granted patent 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, algae 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 extensive impact on society and produced great economic benefits.

IHB stresses the role of “scientific national team” in hydrobiology. It actively promotes local scientific projects and takes part in local economic development. Basing on the National Research Center for Freshwater Fisheries Engineering (Wuhan), IHB set up enterprises which aim at enhancing the transformation of achievements made on fishery modes and environmentally friendly feed and at guiding the establishment of a number of aquatic stock or variety hatcheries at both national and provincial levels. Based on Hubei Engineering and Technology Center for Water Ecology and Wuhan Engineering Research Center for Water Environment, IHB spreads and transfers a series of core technologies of water environment treatment to the whole nation.

IHB frequently communicates and cooperates with foreign institutions. Over the past decade, it has sent nearly 600 people to over 30 countries and regions for the purpose of conducting cooperation and researches with foreign countries, or for advanced studies and short-term visits. In the meantime, it has also received more than 2,000 scholars and experts from nearly 40 countries to undertake academic exchanges, cooperation and advanced studies in China. As a key member, IHB participates in the international cooperative research projects, such as America’s “Tree of life” research project. It also launches international multi-lateral cooperation, such as conducting joint investigation project on freshwater dolphins and holding international training classes on constructed wetland, etc.

IHB has a postdoctoral research station on biology. It is authorized by the state to confer doctoral degrees in four majors, i.e. hydrobiology, genetics, environmental science and marine biology, and master degrees in five majors, i.e. zoology, hydrobiology, genetics, environmental science and environment engineering. It is also qualified to enroll and foster students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other foreign countries. At present, the number of postgraduate students, postdoctoral research associates and senior visiting scholars is up to nearly 480.