Special guest Prof. Sammy Boussiba from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev gave an oral presentation at the symposium. 

The International Symposium on Frontiers in Microalgal Research and Biotechnology, jointly organized by the Key Laboratory of Algae Biology and Center for microalgal Biotechnology & Biofuels under Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of Chinese Academy of Science was held on November 10, 2017. 12 experts in microalgae fields from Israel, Japan, France and China were invited to give oral presentations at the symposium, and more than 150 scholars and students from IHB attended the symposium. 

Special guest Prof. Sammy Boussiba from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev pointed out in his presentation that natural astaxanthin widely presented in aquatic organisms including salmon, shrimp, crab, copepods etc, as well as in flowers of some higher plants. The marine organisms such as the Antarctic krill could be the main source of natural astaxanthin. He also elucidated the molecular function and synthesis pathway of astaxanthin as well as the related biological functions.  

Prof. Yuichiro Kashiyama from Fukui University of Technology revealed the detoxification catabolism of chlorophylls: a key understanding the early evolution of eukaryotes. Prof. Dimitris Petroutsos from CNRS, CEA Grenoble elucidated the regulation of algae photosynthesis by light and metabolic signals. Prof. ZHANG Chengwu from Jinan University, Prof. WEI Dong from South China University of Technology and Prof. LU Fan from Hubei University of Technology respectively reported the potential application of eustigmatophycean microalgae in bioproducts and biofuels, the application of microalgae in wastewater treatment and the anti-inflammatory role of microalgal lipids and biofixation of CO₂ by Spirulina. 

Experts from IHB also gave excellent presentations. Prof. SONG Lirong introduced the resources and the public services of the Freshwater Algae Culture collection. Prof. LI Renhui analyzed the development of cyanobacterial blooms in China. Coordinated regulation of the hetZ/patU gene cluster on heterocyst differentiation and pattern formation in Anabaena sp. were found by Prof. XU Xudong. Prof. WANG Qiang studied the plasticity of the IsiA associated protein complexes in Synechocystis sp.. Associate Prof. LONG Huan reported the functions of ectosome release in ciliary membrane remodeling the cell-cell communication. Assistant Prof. XIONG Qian analyzed the global response of Synechococcus to the highlight stress using transcriptomic and proteomic methods. 

More than 30 posters were collected in this symposium and SHA Jun, LIN Juan, ZHU Xi and YANG Haijian were awarded the Best Poster. 

The successful convening of this symposium has broadened the horizon of young researchers and students, and also facilitated the academic cooperation between scientists in the microalgae field. 

SHA Jun, LIN Juan, ZHU Xi and YANG Haijian were awarded the Best Poster. 

A group photo of all the attendees.