Overview

The Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology (IPMB) at Academia Sinica is located on the Nangang campus, where it thrives as part of a dynamic and interdisciplinary research ecosystem.

Our mission is to “explore the functionality of plants and microbes to benefit science, agriculture, environmental sustainability and human well-being”. IPMB is home to more than 20 research laboratories and several core facilities, fostering a vibrant academic environment with approximately 200 researchers, including postdoctoral fellows, graduate students (Ph.D. and M.S.), undergraduate students, project researchers, and research assistants. Our work is further strengthened by a dedicated administrative team of over 20 staff members that support top-tier research operations. With world-class laboratories and state-of-the-art equipment, IPMB provides outstanding technical support to facilitate groundbreaking research. In addition, we are deeply committed to training the next generation of scientists through Academia Sinica's Taiwan International Graduate Program (TIGP) and partnerships with leading universities, offering opportunities for students to pursue Ph.D. and M.S. degrees under the mentorship of our faculty. We also emphasize a supportive and inclusive work environment, empowering every member to thrive and reach their full potential.

Over the years, IPMB has made significant contributions to various fields, including rice breeding and genomics, satellite RNAs of plant viruses, circadian rhythms in cyanobacteria, and tissue culture regeneration. In the past decade, we have recruited several specialists and technical staff to manage core facilities, which provide advanced technical expertise and consulting services, further strengthening our research capabilities. With the addition of many outstanding young researchers, IPMB continues to integrate cutting-edge technology platforms and artificial intelligence to address fundamental scientific challenges. Our research now explores key topics such as the molecular mechanisms governing cellular functions of plants and microbes, inter-organ communication and coordination, plant resilience under biotic and abiotic stresses, and agrobacteria-mediated genetic transformation and genome editing.

Our research focuses on four major areas:
1. Chromosome, Genome, and Systems Biology
This research area employs multi-dimensional omics approaches, integrating super-resolution optical microscopy, automated image processing, and big data analysis to investigate genetic information, recombination mechanisms, and gene regulation in plants and microbes under environmental stress.
2. Cell and Developmental Biology
This research area focuses on functional studies to explore metabolic regulation, signal transduction, and growth control at both the cellular and organismal levels. The goal is to uncover key regulatory mechanisms governing plant and microbial physiology, biochemistry, and development.
3. Plant-Environment Interactions
This research area investigates how plants respond to dynamic environmental factors such as light, temperature, drought, and nutrient availability. By analyzing functional gene and protein interaction networks, the aim is to understand how plants maintain resilience, optimize growth, and adapt to changing environments and stress conditions.
4. Plant and Environmental Microbiology
This research area ranges from germplasm collection to microbial diversity analysis, and integrates evolutionary biology, genomics, and molecular biology to study microbial genetic variation and pathogenic mechanisms. Additionally, plant immunity research provides insights into plant-microbe interactions at the molecular level, offering scientific foundations for disease control and sustainable agriculture.

IPMB continues to make impactful contributions to the global scientific community through forward-thinking research strategies and cutting-edge technology platforms. Guided by our mission, we are committed to realizing Academia Sinica's three core visions, creating lasting value for science, agriculture, environmental sustainability, and human health:
1. Achieve global peaks of excellence.
2. Fulfil social responsibilities in crucial areas.
3. Attract and cultivate top talent.