New Adelaide Center To Focus On Traditional Chinese Medicine

A new joint Australian-Chinese Research Center aims to understand traditional Chinese medicine at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of its integration into Western medicine.

AsianScientist (May 14, 2012) – A new joint Australian-Chinese Research Center announced in Beijing last week aims to understand traditional Chinese medicine at the molecular level, with the ultimate aim of its integration into Western medicine.

The Zhendong Australia China Center for Molecular Traditional Chinese Medicine is a joint Center between the University of Adelaide, the Shanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and the Zhendong Pharmaceutical Company.

At the Beijing ceremony, guests included the Vice Minister of Health and Director of the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine Wang Guoqiang, Australian Ambassador to China Frances Adamson, Executive Chairman of China Pharmaceutical Industry Research and Development Association Song Ruilin, Shanxi College of Traditional Chinese Medicine President Professor Zhou Ran, Zhendong Pharmaceutical Company Chairman Li Anping, and University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha.

The special event on Friday also marked the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and China.

“This significant partnership offers a unique model of operation; bringing together an Australian university, a Chinese university, and direct investment from a Chinese company in a ground-breaking development that offers tremendous opportunities for creative research and new discoveries with potential health benefits for us all,” said University of Adelaide Vice-Chancellor and President Professor James McWha.

At the University of Adelaide, the Zhendong Center will investigate the mode of action of traditional Chinese medicine using a systems biology approach.

“The application of systems biology to traditional Chinese medicine is particularly exciting because it explores what effects there may be on the molecular/genetic networks that are altered in sickness,” said Director of the Zhendong Center, Professor David Adelson.

Understanding how traditional Chinese medicine acts will not only support its evidence-based integration into Western medicine, but also increase our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying disease, said Adelson.

Professor Adelson has also been appointed Chair for the Molecular Basis of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a new Chair endowed by Zhendong Pharmaceutical Company as part of its investment in this research.

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Source: University of Adelaide.
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