Researchers from Hong Kong, Chengdu, Beijing and Tokyo recently reported a functional link between diabetes and cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis occurs when mutations in the CFTR gene hamper the function of the Cystic Fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator. This leads to a “tough mucus” secretion in the lungs, and its most acute symptoms are therefore shortness of breath. Indigestion is also …
Airbus and COMAC cooperate on sustainable air transport
On Friday February 21st, Airbus and Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) announced both aircraft manufacturers will collaborate on sustainable growth in air transport. The scope of their collaboration will however extend beyond the aircraft itself. Under the Memorandum of Understanding, signed by Günter Butschek, Airbus Chief Operating Officer and He Dongfeng, President of COMAC, they will “share best practices …
R&D Cooperation between European companies and universities in China
‘R&D Cooperation between European companies and Universities in China’, that was the title of a fully booked workshop organized this morning by the European Chamber R&D Forum in Shanghai. The speakers presented an interesting mix of research on R&D cooperation and actual examples of past and on-going projects between multinational companies and Chinese universities. Dr. Ulrike Tagscherer, Fraunhofer Institute for …
Think Asia, Think Hong Kong
Hong Kong Science Park (Photo by Andy Wong http://www.pbase.com/andywong/) Think Asia, Think Hong Kong. That’s the title of two seminars organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTPC) and the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands. The seminars, to be held in Zoetermeer (3 March) and Enschede (5 March) are part of a promotion tour …
Great Tunnel of China
China is planning another engineering wonder; it has drafted a plan for a 123km undersea tunnel with an estimated cost of 220 billion yuan (EUR 26.5 billion). The underwater tunnel will surpass the combined length of the current world’s two longest underwater tunnels: Japan’s Seikan Tunnel and the Channel Tunnel between Britain and France. The tunnel will house a rail …
China announces 10 billion yuan fund to curb air pollution
On Wednesday China’s central government announced a number of measures in the battle against air pollution. They also identified large cities and regions with the most frequent smog and haze. A special fund of 10 billion yuan (EUR 1.2 billion) will be set up this year by the central government. The money will be used to reward efforts to curb …
Dutch gene therapy company uniQure went IPO
The Dutch VC firm Forbion Capital Partners, investing in world-class healthcare technologies, announced that its portfolio company uniQure has closed its initial public offering (IPO) at a price of $17.00 per share. uniQure’s shares are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market and began trading under the symbol “QURE“. Last year Sander van Deventer, partner at Forbion, was one of …
‘China will beat everyone’
Chief editor Alexander Pil of Mechatronica&Machinebouw visited Shanghai and Suzhou. He visited the German company Festo and the Dutch companies NTS Mechatronics, Tecnotion, Keytec and VDL-ETG. In the article that Alexander wrote about his trip, several industry representatives explain their experiences in and with China. Although their stories vary, a number of conclusions are shared by all interviewees. One conclusion …
Chinese research on gas hydrate moves forward
A basic research project on “the South China Sea gas hydrate accumulation and exploitation” was successfully finished. The project was mainly undertaken by the China Geological Survey Bureau. It targeted the gas hydrate on the northern slope of the South China Sea and was focused on conditions for its formation, as well as the formation process dynamics and accumulation. The …
Dutch Teacher in Beijing Awarded Favorite Foreign Expert Title
Dutch teacher Padma Bansie received the award for ‘My Favorite Foreign Expert’ from the Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) during the New Year Party for Foreign Experts held on December 26th last year. In total, 18 foreign experts from six colleges and departments from the prominent foreign studies university were awarded the “My Favorite Foreign Experts” title. Ms. Bansie was …