The Institute of Medical Science with the University of Tokyo (IMSUT) and two CAS institutes (Institute of Biophysics and Institute of Microbiology) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on June 11, 2010, which initiates a new phase of collaboration between CAS and UT on emerging and re-emerging infections.

To promote collaborative research and provide scientific basis for prevention, control, and treatment of infectious diseases, such as SARS, avian flu and AIDS, CAS and the University of Tokyo (UT) launched cooperation in 2005 by establishing two joint laboratories in CAS, namely "the Joint Laboratory of Structural Virology and Immunology” at Institute of Biophysics (IBP) and “the Joint Laboratory of Molecular Immunology and Molecular Microbiology” at Institute of Microbiology (IM).

Under the auspices of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology of Japan, the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the two joint laboratories had provided a research and innovation platform for both Chinese and Japanese scientists. During the past five years, scientists from the two joint laboratories have worked together, sharing ideas, information and facilities, and achieved remarkable progress.

IBP director XU Tao, IM deputy director HUANG Li, IMSUT director Motoharu Seiki all confirmed the successful cooperation and the achievements made by scientists from both countries during the past five years and assured their continued support in personnel, equipments and laboratory for the second phase of collaboration.

The signing ceremony was followed by the 9th Steering Committee Meeting of the joint laboratories. The meeting reassured all along support from governments and institutions of both countries, summarized latest progress of the joint laboratories, and outlined future developmental strategies and plans. Leaders from both sides expressed their hope to strengthen academic exchange among young scientists and to explore collaboration in more areas, such as cancer research, cellular biology, protein science, and neuroscience.