The symposium's opening ceremony. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The 17th National Symposium on Microbial Resources opened in Changchun, Jilin province, on July 20, bringing together more than 900 experts, researchers, and graduate students from over 200 universities, research institutes, and enterprises across 31 provinces. The event will run through July 25.

Hosted by the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Microbial Resources Committee of the Chinese Society for Microbiology, and other organizations, the event features 11 themed sessions covering microbial germplasm resources, microbiomes, fungal diversity, synthetic microbiomes, soil microorganisms, saline-alkali land improvement, carbon use efficiency, and sustainable agriculture.

The symposium brochure. [Photo provided to gojilin.gov.cn]

The opening ceremony included a commemorative lecture marking the 100th anniversary of microbiologist Chen Wenxin's birth, highlighting his pioneering contributions to rhizobium research and his lasting influence on Chinese microbiology.

Jiang Ming, director of the Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Jiang Dayong, deputy director of the Jilin Provincial Department of Science and Technology, and Qin Guobao, deputy director of the Jilin Provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, attended the ceremony and delivered remarks.

Participants will also visit Lishu county to see how microbial technologies are being used to conserve the region's fertile black soil. Field demonstrations include conservation tillage, straw incorporation, soil fertility improvement, and microbial applications in agriculture.

In addition, six pre-symposium training workshops attracted more than 600 participants, offering hands-on instruction in advanced microbial research techniques.