In 1981, Chinese scientists achieved the world’s first synthesis of nucleic acid—i.e., yeast alanine transfer acid (tRNA).

This milestone accomplishment, spanning 13 years of research, was collectively completed by the Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry, the Shanghai Institute of Cell Biology, the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, the Institute of Biophysics, and others.

This achievement signified that Chinese research in nucleic acid synthesis had reached the highest global level.