Kunming Institute of Botany (KIB) is an important research institute that is directly affiliated to the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and dedicated to research in the fields of Botany and Phytochemistry. It is committed to exploration of the world of plants, to generating knowledge about them and developing their sustainable use to benefit people.
The institute covers an area of 68 hectares (1018 Mu), the main research divisions are the State Key Laboratory of Photochemistry and Plant Resources in West China, the Key Laboratory for Plant Diversity and Biogeography of East Asia, the Key Laboratory of Economic Plants and Biotechnology, and the Germplasm Bank of Wild Species. In addition, KIB manages two botanical gardens: one in Kunming and the other in Lijiang. In 2005, Kunming Botanical Garden was designated a “national environmental education base” by the China Association for Science and Technology. KIB has also cooperated with the World Agroforestry Center to establish a joint Centre for Mountain Ecosystem Studies, and closely worked with officials of Haiyan county, Zhejiang Province, to establish the “Haiyan Biotechnology Cooperation Center”, Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research at Kunming, also located at KIB campus.
In recent months, KIB has been strenuously planning contributions to the “One–Three-Five strategy”, including ongoing organizational reform, formulation of new mission guidelines and strategy for the Institute, intensification of five major actions and development in four areas associated with the “Pioneer Initiative”.
The new strategic aims for KIB are to make breakthrough advances in Botany, Phytochemistry and the exploration, utilization and conservation of plant resources (particularly in southwestern China, Southeast Asia and the Himalayas) and to make important contributions to sustainable development, including the restoration, conservation and sensitive use of resources to enhance development without ecological damage.
Three major thrusts expected to provide breakthroughs are the “iFlora” research program (led by KIB), new drug research and development projects, and plant generation and production platforms.
Four key scientific research areas include: exploration of functions and utilization of valued natural plant products; fundamental research into and industrial exploitation of plant resources; regional biotechnology demonstration and social development projects; iFlora and associated services.
Five fields targeted for further development are: plant taxonomy and biological geography, phytochemistry and natural product development, preservation and utilization of wild germplasm resources, ethnobotany and local development, R & D and industrialization of plant resource.
KIB aims to make breakthrough advances in botany and phytochemistry research as well as in the exploration, utilization and conservation of plant resources, and to make important contributions to sustainable development and ecological civilization.
