The sixth Symposium on Zymomonas mobilis, combined with the inaugural Sichuan-Chongqing Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing Conference, took place from August 25 to 26 at the Tianfu Modern Seed Industry Park in Qionglai, Chengdu.

During the event, the Chengdu Institute of Biogas under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs signed an agreement with the Qionglai Municipal People's Government to establish the Tianfu Microbial Seed Industry Innovation Center. Located within the Tianfu Modern Seed Industry Park, the center will concentrate on exploring distinctive microbial germplasm resources in Qionglai, building pilot-scale platforms for technology commercialization, cultivating talent, and facilitating joint investment initiatives between the institute and local authorities, aiming to establish a comprehensive innovation ecosystem spanning fundamental research to industrial deployment.

Qionglai serves as the core area of the Chengdu section of the "Tianfu Granary" and is a primary hub for the Sichuan liquor production region in Chengdu. The area boasts abundant agricultural resources and a well-established traditional fermentation industry, offering an ideal environment for the implementation of biomanufacturing technologies.

Wang Jianwei, a second-level inspector from the Sichuan Provincial Department of Science and Technology, noted that the national 15th Five-Year Plan identifies biomanufacturing as a strategically positioned new growth driver, with Sichuan and Chongqing committed to deepening collaborative innovation in science and technology to jointly build a western hub for synthetic biology advancement.

According to Zhou Qiwen, Party Secretary of the Chengdu Institute of Biogas, the conference effectively merged thematic discussions with regional forums, establishing a significant platform for cross-disciplinary and cross-regional collaboration among industry, academia, and research institutions. The launch of the Tianfu Microbial Seed Industry Innovation Center is expected to substantially accelerate the growth of the biomanufacturing sector in Chengdu and the broader Sichuan-Chongqing region.