Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases

1. Background

The Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases (JIPD) is located in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province. It was founded in July, 1950 named as “Eastern China Institute for Schistosomiasis Control” under the leadership of Committee on Administration in Eastern China, Ministry of Health. It was one of the earliest institutions for schistosomiasis control in China. In 1953, it was renamed as “Jiangsu Institute of Schistosomiasis Control” under the leadership of Department of Health, Jiangsu Government. In 1959, the Parasitic Diseases Institute in Jiangsu, Chinese Academy of Medicine moved from Nanjing into Wuxi, and two institutes were immerged into one institution as Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases.
At present, there are 103 professional staff, including 16 of Professors, Associate Professors, or Chief Doctors, Vice-chief Doctors, 36 of Assistant Professors, Doctors in Charge, and 51 of Doctors or Technicians. Among scientists, 5 are with PhD degrees, 6 with MSc degrees, 3 are master students and one is PhD student.
The institute focuses on three main tasks, i.e. scientific research, field services in national control programme and professional training in parasitic diseases. With the development of scientific research and field services, the unique virtues in JIPD are as follows:
l The institute was granted as one of the first batch of institutions to award the MSc degree for graduate student in 1981, since then 21 MSc students have been graduated from the institute.
l Sponsored by Ministry of Health, the Chinese Journal of Schistosomiasis Control was edited and published in the institute, and the journal has been cited in Helminthes Abstract in UK.
l The institute was received Institution Strengthening Grants from TDR in 1988 and 1990, respectively. Through the TDR grants, the advanced research facilities were equipped and 11 junior scientists were trained abroad. Four of junior scientists have hold the PhD degrees, two are studying leading for PhD degree.
l A Collaboration Project on Schistosomiasis Research, in cooperation with Danish Center for Experimental Parasitology, was approved by the 10th Meeting of Sino-Danish Collaboration Committee in 1996.
l A provincial key laboratory named as Jiangsu Key Laboratory on Molecular Biology of Parasites was established in the institute in 1996, funded by Jiangsu Committee on Science and Technology with amount of 3.3 million RMB for three years.
l A new laboratory building with 1500 M2 of floor areas was set up in 1991, equipped with 2 sterilized rooms, and standard animal rooms. In the laboratory, a total of 611 sets of advanced equipment were opened to all researchers, such as Nucleic Acid/Protein Analyzer, GS-700 Densitometer, Gel Doc 1000 UV Gel Documentation System, Gen Sequence System (GT/power Pac 3000 system), Gel Dryer (Model 583), Gene Pulser, Rotorfor Accessories for Electrophoresis, Microplate Reader (Model 550), a serious of centrifuges, Universal Multifunctional Detection System, fast Protein Liquid Chromatography System (FPLC), etc.
　
2.International Collaboration

The international collaboration on scientific research and information exchange have been initiated since 1953. Trigged by Institution Strengthening Grants from TDR, the international exchange has been strengthened gradually since 1988, more scientists and experts form Denmark, USA, UK, Japan, Australia, and WHO/TDR visited the institute and gave the lectures for more than 40 times.
A Collaboration Project on Schistosomiasis Research in cooperation with Danish Center for Experimental Parasitology was initiated, more cooperation projects will be carried out both in China and in Denmark.
Up to now, more than 20 scientists have been sent abroad for meeting, visiting, training and studying leading for PhD degree. These international collaboration activities have improved the research capability of the institute.

3.Scientific Research

The operational research projects were initiated in 1950’s. Up to now, a total of 52 research projects were completed and rewarded by success, of which 43 projects were accomplished in the institute, and another 9 projects were finished in cooperation with scientists in other institutions. Among 52 projects, 7 were of national projects, 30 of provincial projects, and 13 of municipal projects. For instance, the project of “ the effect of decrease in temperature of furapromide (F30066) in acute schistosomiasis” won a national prize from National Committee on Science and Technology in 1963. The project of “Mollusciciding Study in Marshland and Lake Regions” together with other two projects were rewarded in National Conference on Science and Technology in 1978. Two projects including “Study on the possibility of snail migration to northern China after engineering of transferring water from south to north of China” got the second award from Ministry of Health. A project of “Standardization of antigen and procedures on sero-diagnosis methods of schistosomiasis and its assessment effects” won the third award from provincial government in 1988. Three projects including “Study on preventive drug for malaria – the No. 2 anti-malaria” were rewarded in National Scientific Conference on Medicine and Health. Five projects including “Study on Malaria Control” won the prizes of Provincial Conference on Science. The project of “Population Genetics of Oncomelania snails in Mainland China” gained the second prize from Jiangsu Government. “Study on New Molluscicides” in cooperation with Jiangsu Pharmaceutical Institute obtained the National Patent. Up to now, a total of 718 research papers were published in national journals or international journals.
At present, a total of 24 research projects are undertaking in the institute, including one of national project in “Ninth-Five Year Plan”, two of national projects granted by Primer Minister, two of projects supported by United Nation/World Bank/World Health Organization/TDR, seven of projects supported by World Bank Loan Project on Schistosomiasis Control in China, and 13 of projects supported by Ministry of Health or by the provincial government.

4.Personnel training

Most of MSc students graduated from the institute are still working in the institute since 1979, some have been trained abroad with PhD degrees supported by WHO/TDR. The research capability has been strengthened in many respects, e.g. advanced epidemiology, immunology, development of schistosome vaccine, immuno-diagnosis, vaccine development in malaria, malacology and biology of vectors. Based on the research activities, the Provincial Key Laboratory will be established successfully and open to all researchers in the world.
Much attentions have been paid in professional training since 1950’s. During the 1950’s, the training courses promoted the network establishment of professional personnel in field control of schistosomiasis. A lot of short courses were held every year, which renew the knowledge and technology of professional staff at different levels in the province. Some of national courses have been held in the institute since 1980’s.
A new Training Centre for Parasitic Diseases Control in Jiangsu Province was established in 1994, with 42 standard rooms and 98 beds. In the centre, the lecture rooms, language room and computer room equipped with teaching facilities were used for meeting or training courses, together with office facilities, e.g. IDD, Fax, and Email. Appendix facilities are available in the training center, such as dining room, dancing room, etc. Due to near to Shanghai International Airport (two hours by car in distance), more than 30 training courses or important meetings and more foreign guests have been hosted in the center during last 3 years. It has become the National Training Center for Schistosomiasis Control since 1997.
　
Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases
Meiyuan, Wuxi
Jiangsu 214064
People's Republic of China
Tel: (86)-510-5517721
Fax: (86)-510-5510263
Email: jipd@public1.wx.js.cn