The State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases relies on Zhejiang University and the State Key Subject of Infectious Disease. It is sponsored and supervised by the Ministry of Science and Technology, and hosted by the Ministry of Education. With joint supports from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Zhejiang provincial government, the establishment of the lab was proposed in April 2007. The program was then approved by the experts from the Ministry of Science and Technology in September 2007. The lab is currently in the earlier stage of construction and development.
Integration of research (both basic and clinical) and teaching is one of unique features of SKL-DTID. The main research activities of the lab focus on diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases that post great challenges to human health. The followings are main research fields:
(1) The study of mechanisms and new treatments of viral hepatitis
With the application of new techniques of systemic biology, experimental zoology, regenerative medicine and drug therapy, the lab carries out the studies on mechanisms of viral hepatitis, viral mutation and drug resistance, and artificial liver support system (both in the basic and application area).
(2)The study of AIDS and other re-emerging infectious diseases
Prevention and treatment of AIDS/HIV infection, avian influenza and other new emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
(3) The study of infectious microecology and infectious immunity
The relationship between microecology and infectious diseases, microecology of the liver diseases, resistance mechanisms of important pathogens, opportunistic infection, cellular and molecular mechanisms of infectious immunity.
(4) The study of new technologies in diagnosing of infectious diseases
The study focuses on high-throughput, sensitive, accurate, and rapid new diagnostic techniques; efficient, reliable and safe separation techniques and equipments for emerging pathogens; specific cellular immunity diagnostic techniques; and infectious disease-related molecular imaging.
(5) The study of new treatment techniques and pharmacy of infectious diseases
The studies focus on new treatment techniques, invention of new compounds and modern Chinese traditional medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases, adverse reactions of anti-infective drugs.
The main research achievements of the lab are:
1. The research of artificial liver support system has reached international advanced levels. Artificial liver support system with independent intellectual property right, is effective for severe hepatitis which is of high mortality. Exploring various parameters of this system in the treatment, the lab resolved a series of technical difficulties in foundation and applications of artificial liver. The lab was also identified the indications and contraindications, which greatly reduces the mortality of severe hepatitis.
2. The establishment and application of infectious microecology. Introducing microecology to infection and liver disease, the lab has established a new concept of "infectious microecology". Researchers in the lab have carried out a series of studies on microecology in liver disease and bacterial resistance, and setup new strategies for preventions and treatments. Applying theories and methods in microecology to studies on the incidence, development and outcome of infectious diseases, the lab found that the unbalance of microecology in human may result in severe infections or damages on organs.
3. As to the studies on viral hepatitis, the lab discovered a new hepatitis E virus antigenic epitope, and identified the diagnosis value of antibodies. The lab was the first one in the world to detect virus in fecal samples and observe viremia.
4. Many innovative diagnostic techniques were established, which include a new method of specific probe labeling, and a series of high specific, high-throughput diagnostic chips.
The lab has won 2 National Science and Technology Progress Awards, 6 Provincial Scientific and Technological Progress Prizes, and hundreds of other incentives. Large numbers of high-quality academic papers were published on famous journals such as Nature Immunology and PNAS. The lab has also compiled "Infectious Disease", "Artificial Liver Support System", "Infectious Microecology", "Human Viral Diseases" and dozens of textbooks and monographs. The lab has received patents for dozens of inventions, and has achieved both economic and social benefits.
Professor Li Lanjuan, the only academician of ChineseEngineeringAcademy in clinical field of infectious diseases, is the pioneer in artificial liver. Under her leadership, the lab has attracted a group of experts both in the basic study and clinic research, including chief scientists of "973 Plan" and National Outstanding Youth. By now, a great team is leaded by an academician consists of professors, young investigators and other staff. There are totally 47 researchers, 23 technicians and 2 part-time managers in the lab.
According to the principle of "opening, competing, communicating and collaborating", research platforms in the lab are open to research institutions and universities at home and abroad. The lab is committed to National Key Science and Technology projects, “973 Project” and “863 Project”. The lab also established a strong collaboration with famous universities and institutes in the world, and has held many international symposiums. The staffs of the lab have been invited to present their researches in international symposium.
With strong support from ZhejiangUniversity, the lab is currently working on the national major projects, and key issues of infectious diseases in the fields of diagnosis and treatment, in accordance with the long-term strategic and practical needs of the national disease prevention and treatment. The lab will also carry out theoretical researches, high-tech researches and high-level personnel training, and hope to make breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases. The aim of the lab is to be an advanced scientific research and talent training base full of primary innovatives.