To guide Party members and staff to stay focused on their scientific mission and strengthen a results-oriented work ethic, on April 27, the Party Branch of the Team of Microbial Synthetic Biology and Bioconversion at the Biogas Institute of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (BIOMA) organized a themed Party Day activity titled “Seizing the Strategic High Ground in Synthetic Biology and Biomanufacturing through Solid Work and Tangible Results.” All Party members and team members participated.

The activity centered on in-depth discussions around three fundamental questions: for whom to conduct research, what research to conduct, and how to conduct research. Participants unanimously agreed that scientific research must not be detached from national needs as mere “theoretical exercises,” nor should it involve falsification or inflated data. Instead, it must be grounded in national strategic priorities—writing papers on the land of the motherland and transforming research outcomes into tangible contributions to national development.

In alignment with the team’s research positioning, Party members focused on the academic frontiers of synthetic biology and biomanufacturing, as well as the team’s key development directions. They emphasized addressing national needs in food security and the sustainable supply of biomanufacturing feedstocks, advancing research on efficient conversion and high-value utilization of non-grain biomass. With breakthroughs in fundamental research, core technology development, and industrial application as key drivers, the team aims to build an internationally competitive research group in synthetic biology. They also stressed adherence to truth-seeking, strengthened teamwork, enhanced technology transfer, and strict observance of research ethics, promoting collaborative innovation to overcome technical bottlenecks while upholding scientific integrity.

The activity also systematically conveyed the latest policy directives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences regarding scientific and technological innovation and “agriculture, rural areas, and farmers” (the San Nong agenda). In the context of China’s “dual carbon” goals and rural revitalization strategy, participants analyzed the opportunities and challenges facing synthetic biology and biomanufacturing. It was emphasized that research efforts should serve the overall national development agenda, align with BIOMA’s 15th Five-Year Plan, and sustain long-term commitment.

In addition, the activity incorporated warning education through typical cases of disciplinary and legal violations, guiding all Party members to maintain a sense of discipline, uphold bottom-line thinking, and strengthen defenses against corruption and misconduct.

This themed Party Day activity further consolidated consensus among Party members and clarified directions for tackling key scientific challenges. Participants expressed their commitment to taking responsibility with the mindset that “success does not have to be achieved in my term, but I must contribute to its achievement.” They pledged to focus on cutting-edge breakthroughs in synthetic biology and biomanufacturing, strengthen organized research and full industrial-chain innovation, and contribute to building national strategic scientific and technological strength, advancing green and low-carbon agricultural development, and achieving high-level scientific and technological self-reliance.