Established in November 2024, the Institute of Emerging Agricultural Technology at Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology appointed Professor Yang Zhenbiao, an internationally renowned plant biologist, as its Dean. The Institute focuses on agriculture, specifically key crops, economic plants, agricultural microorganisms, and green bio-manufacturing. By applying synthetic biology principles and advanced manufacturing methods, it aims to research and develop disruptive future agricultural technologies, facilitate their transfer and industrialization, address food security challenges, and cultivate a new generation of innovative agricultural scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs. The Institute aspires to be the world’s first emerging agricultural technology institute, a benchmark for international research, leading the development of future agriculture and supporting food security and sustainable green agriculture.

Key research directions include: 1. Breeding high-photosynthetic-efficiency and high-protein crops. 2. Studying plant resistance mechanisms and innovating crop cultivation for saline-alkaline soils. 3. Developing novel protein and lipid sources based on microalgae and duckweed. 4. Industrial R&D for functional plants (e.g., strawberries) and microalgae. 5. Exploring next-generation standardized, modular, digital, and intelligent facility agriculture models. The Institute aims to build a comprehensive innovation ecosystem spanning basic research, applied research, and technology transfer.

It has assembled a research team led by top international scholars and national talent, supported by young elites. Currently, the Institute includes one provincial Pearl River Talent Team, one co-appointed foreign academician with the Faculty of Synthetic Biology, four recipients of national high-level talent programs, three recipients of national youth talent projects, and four outstanding disciplinary experts/core faculty members. For organizational support, it employs four administrative staff to systematically manage personnel, finance, research support, and technology transfer.