The third symposium of the Chinese-French laboratory of Biology of Embryonic Cells of Mammalians (LABIOCEM) kicked off in Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOZ, CAS) on September 28 2010.

Focusing on stem cells and iPS cells of domestic animals, the symposium had attracted researchers from institutions such as French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA), French National Institute of Health and Medical Research, IOZ, and CAS Kunming Institute of Zoology. Prof. ZHOU Qi from IOZ and Prof. Jean-Paul Renard from INRA jointly presided over the conference.

Prof. ZHOU reviewed the progress of LABIOCEM since its establishment in 2005, particularly that in researches into the mechanisms of cloning and therapeutic cloning which had markedly improved the efficiency of animal cloning. He also introduced the achievements of the exchange and joint training of students.

Reports were also given on a wide range of topics including mechanisms of reprogramming, derivation and characterization of stem cells and iPS cells of rabbit and domastic animals, chromatin remodeling, and pluripotency and plasticity of stem cells and iPS cells.

Both sides had a discussion on the future operation and cooperation of LABIOCEM at the end of the symposium, reaffirming their willingness to strengthen cooperation and exchange in the field of embryonic development and stem cells.

LABIOCEM was established in 2005 with the support of CAS and INRA, aiming to promote Sino-French cooperation on biological technologies and advance their researches of mammalian embryonic development and stem cells.