The Zhejiang University, taking advantage of its high level research resources and findings, has recently joined hands with the California based International Institute of Nanotechnology to create a branch institute in Hangzhou. The development marks the cooperation in the field of nanotechnology between the two nations into a substantial phase.   

The branch institute will, using the existing operational mode of the parent institute and taking advantage of the research strength and capability of the ZhejiangUniversity, establish three international platforms, including international research cooperation platform, S&T finding spin-off and exchange service platform, and investment and industrialization platform. At present stage, 8 research directions have been defined, including systematic biology, molecular imaging, nanopreparation and expression, biological testing, cardiovascular diseases, biological reconstruction, molecular genetics and molecular medicine, and organic electronic technology. Of them, systematic biology, molecular imaging, and biological testing are selected as major priorities. A molecular imaging center, one of the projects to be kicked off by the branch institute, has competed its construction in the compound of the No. 2 Hospital, a part of theZhejiangUniversity.