On Wednesday 27th November, GTIIT held its first academia symposium and industrial summit on Frontiers in Biotechnology and Food Engineering. 

Opening speech by Prof. Eliezer Shalev, Vice Chancellor of GTIIT

Opening speech by Prof. Sima Yaron, Head of Biotechnology and Food Engineering

The conference provided a platform from which all participants could have access to recent research advances, discuss industrial issues and jointly address the major challenges faced by humankind.

The first day was dedicated to academic research. Speakers were invited from universities and institutes all over the world, to address an equally diverse audience along four themes: Food (Re)Structuring, Stem Cell and Synthetic Bioengineering, Environmental Biotechnology, and Food Safety Engineering.

Prof. Vladimir Mironov from 3D Bioprinting Solutions Ltd., presented his extensive research and work in the production of organ printing. As a pioneer in 3D printing and the producer of the first functional and vascularized organ construct of a mouse thyroid, his fascinating presentation was a greatly anticipated feature of the conference. 

Another highlight was provided by Prof. Carmen Moraru of Cornell University whose work addresses food safety, a subject of particular public concern and interest all around the world. She gave examples of how food safety and food quality can be achieved by using the concept of Food Safety Engineering.

To ensure all speakers an international platform, and to establish GTIIT's global presence, all talks were delivered in English. It also showcased the ways in which GTIIT contributes to its specific locality, within Guangdong province and the city of Shantou: among the posters presented was a study of coliform levels in aquaculture farms in Shantou.

The success of the conference in providing an English-speaking platform for knowledge-sharing and networking is a testament to the organizers, Prof. Ka Yin Leung, Udi Sarig and Sima Yaron, and marks the beginning of promising future for GTIIT's presence in the field, both within China and in the wider global scientific community.

Text: Jenny Gal-Or, GTIIT News & Public Affairs

Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs, Lin Ziyang, Liu Diansheng, Liu Shuoshuo