ISL Research Prof. LAI Zhongping attended the Second China-US Bilateral Workshop on Extremophiles, held in the US from 18th to 23th May 2010. Prof. Lai gave a key lecture and chaired a colloquium during the session. 

The workshop was co-sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundations of both countries, with the primary objective of promoting communications and collaborations between scientists of relevant fields from US and China to boost scientific and technological progress in such fields. Salt lakes, especially those on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, are a distinctive category of extreme environments. The investigation of the origin and evolution of the microorganisms existent therein and their responses to environmental changes is a key scientific issue. Prof. Lai aimed at promoting relevant studies in the Institute of Salt Lakes (ISL) by means of strengthening communication and cooperation with international top scientists.

Further information from the sponsors indicates that the next China-US Bilateral Workshop on Extremophiles will be held in China, 2010. ISL will cooperate with China University of Geosciences (Beijing and Wuhan) in the organization of this conference.