The Key Laboratory of Algal Biology of Chinese Academy of Sciences was established in July 2013. It is a research base dealing with strategic development in fundamental as well as applied aspects of algal biology using both eukaryotic algae and cyanobacteria. The research ranges from resources and systematics, biofuel, freshwater ecology, to any other strategic topics and basic scientific questions related to algae.  

The laboratory has a team supported by various national talent programs. Their research topics cover algal biology, genetics, systematics, biotechnology, environmental biology, algal resources, toxicology, algae from extreme environments, mechanism of bloom formation of toxic cyanobacteria, production of algae-based biofuel and other compounds.  

Laboratory members succeeded in the large-scale cultivation of algal strains of economic benefits, and pioneered in the use of cyanobacteria in the restoration of desert. The laboratory is also well recognized at the international level for their contribution in the basic mechanism of photosynthesis, and heterocyst development required for nitrogen fixation. The Freshwater Algae Culture Collection at IHB hosts the biggest collection of algae in China, and is a well-known center for algal resource preservation and exploitation for their biotechnological potential. 

Current research areas:  

* Basic biology and diversity of freshwater algae 

* Molecular genetics and functional genomics of algae 

* Physiological and ecological mechanism of toxic algae production and its control principle 

* Biological basis and their utilization of algae in particular environments 

* Microalgae bioenergy 

* Protection and utilization technology of algae germplasm resources 

* Research on technical basis and functional products of development and utilization of important economic value microalgae resources 

* Control technology and resource utilization of algal blooms and their harmful metabolites