On June 25, 2026, the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, signed cooperation agreements with partners from China: the National Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai Jiao Tong University and Jiangsu Wuzhong Group. The agreements create a framework for cooperation in translational medicine. The event is part of the Nencki Institute’s strategic development and took place shortly after the opening of the Institute’s Centre for Translational Research — a new research infrastructure designed to help shorten the path from molecular discoveries to solutions with diagnostic, therapeutic, and technological potential.

The path from a scientific discovery to a therapy that can help patients is usually long and complex. Scientific research alone is not enough: modern technological infrastructure, clinical experience, and partners who can develop promising ideas beyond the laboratory are also needed. Cooperation with partners from China is intended to help address these challenges more effectively.

“The agreements we signed show that our Centre for Translational Research is part of the international innovation landscape. We are honored that our new partners chose the Nencki Institute as a place to discuss translational medicine. This is strong proof of the potential of our Institute and our newly opened Centre for Translational Research. We want this cooperation to lead to truly innovative medical solutions,” said Prof. Agnieszka Dobrzyń, Director of the Nencki Institute PAS, during the ceremony.

The new partners bring unique expertise to the cooperation. The National Center for Translational Medicine at Shanghai Jiao Tong University is one of the world’s leading centers working at the interface of biology and medicine. Jiangsu Wuzhong Group brings an industry perspective and extensive experience in commercializing innovative biomedical ventures.

“This cooperation began with informal meetings that quickly showed we were thinking in a similar direction. We greatly value the potential of our partners from China and believe it will also give new momentum to our own activities,” said Prof. Jerzy Duszyński, Director of the Nencki Institute from 2003 to 2008, former President of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and a foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The importance of the agreements was also highlighted by the presence of a representative of Chinese diplomacy, Mr. Tian Zhong, Counsellor for Science and Technology at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Poland. In his remarks, he noted that the signed documents are an important step in scientific and technological cooperation between China and Poland.

The agreements outline several practical paths for cooperation: joint research projects, researcher exchange, preparation of funding applications, and activities related to the development of biomedical technologies. Cooperation with Jiangsu Wuzhong Group may also support the creation of new biomedical startups, helping projects move from scientific ideas toward market applications.

The event also featured a lecture by Prof. Chunhai Fan from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, titled “DNA-Based Molecular Machines.” Prof. Fan spoke about DNA not only as a carrier of genetic information, but also as a material that can be used to design molecular machines capable of acting precisely inside malfunctioning cells.