In a major breakthrough that rewrites a classic paradigm in plant biology, scientists from Zhejiang University have uncovered the long-sought biosynthetic pathway of salicylic acid (SA) in plants — a discovery published in Nature on July 23, 2025. The study provides definitive molecular insight into how plants produce this critical hormone for immune defense, paving the way for engineering broad-spectrum disease resistance in crops.SA, first identified in willow bark, is not only funda...

Prof. WANG Jian'an, President of the Second Affiliated Hospital Zhejiang University School of Medicine (SAHZU) and Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, was invited to Kocaeli University School of Medicine to proctor transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures using China's self-developed devices, on July 22.Professor Teoman Kilic, president of the Turkish Working Group of Interventional Cardiology and a well-known interventional cardiologist, operated together with Pr...

From July 10 to 17, ZHU Hui, Vice Chairperson of the Zhejiang University Council, led a delegation to Uganda and Egypt to for a series of “My Journey to the Silk Road” cultural and educational exchange activities. The visit strengthened ZJU’s partnerships in Africa and opened up new opportunities for collaboration in education, culture, agriculture, and beyond.One highlight of the visit was the donation of A Complete Collection of Ancient Chinese Paintings to two of Africa’s most prestigious...

On July 11, ZHOU Jianghong, Vice President of Zhejiang University, met with a visiting Cuban delegation attending the ministerial workshop on Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era.ZHOU extended a warm welcome to the guests and shared with them ZJU’s updates on overall development, academic disciplines, international engagement, and innovation and entrepreneurship. He emphasized the university’s commitment to nurturing innovative talent equipped for the futu...

Aerogels, often dubbed “frozen smoke,” are among the lightest materials on Earth. It's hard to imagine that such an ethereal substance could one day safeguard spacecraft or explore the Sun’s blazing vicinity. Yet, after more than a decade of deducated research, Professor GAO Chao's team from the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering at Zhejiang University has developed a highly elastic aerogel with a unique micro-dome structure that can withstand temperatures exceeding 2000°C...

The genome, made up of DNA, contains not only protein-coding sequences but also a vast array of non-coding regulatory sequences. These two types of sequence work in concert to shape the complex phenotypic traits of organisms, telling the ancient genetic stories of life. Deciphering the regulatory code hidden in this vast genetic landscape has long been a scientific summit that researchers strive to reach.A team led by Professor GUO Guoji at Zhejiang University has taken a major step toward that ...

On the afternoon of July 10, Joan Valadou, Consul General of France in Shanghai, visited Zhejiang University, accompanied by a delegation from the French Consulate. Vice President ZHOU Jianghong met with the guests.Vice President ZHOU highlighted the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between Zhejiang University and French institutions. He pointed to strong collaborations in youth exchange programs, joint talent cultivation, language and cultural studies, heritage preservation, human wellnes...

On July 1, REN Shaobo, Chairman of the Zhejiang University Council, met with a distinguished delegation from South Korea on Zijingang Campus. The visit marked a significant step in advancing academic exchange, research collaboration, and cross-sector cooperation between Zhejiang University and leading institutions in South Korea.The South Korean delegation was led by Hong Seok-hyun, Chairman of JoongAng Holdings and President of the Korea Peace Foundation. It included Members of the National Ass...

On June 18, Zhejiang University welcomed Mr. KIM Gheewhan, President of the Korea Foundation, and his delegation for an official visit. Vice President HUANG Xianhai met with the guests and hosted discussions aimed at deepening ties between ZJU and its South Korean partners.HUANG provided an overview of ZJU’s academic strengths and cooperation with South Korea. He emphasized that the upcoming 2025-2026 China-Japan-South Korea Cultural Exchange Year presents a timely opportunity to expand and enr...

On June 18, Zhejiang University was honored to welcome Dr. Norbert Riedel, the newly appointed Consul General of Germany to Shanghai, and his delegation for an official visit. Vice President ZHOU Jianghong met with the guests to explore opportunities for deepening Sino-German academic and cultural collaboration.ZHOU extended a warm welcome to Dr. Riedel and introduced ZJU’s recent developments in global engagement, with a particular focus on its longstanding partnership with Germany. He highlig...