CSHL is building upon the success of its educational programs through the development of an equivalent program in Asia and the Pacific Rim, to be centered in Suzhou, China – Cold Spring Harbor Conferences Asia (CSHCA). CSHA’s principal aim is to develop and operate an annul program of scientific conferences in Asia modeled on the Cold Spring Harbor meeting format and style. This program includes large conferences, training workshops and Banbury-style meetings, covering a broad spectrum of biomedical research topics, including molecular biology, molecular genetics, neuroscience, cancer, developmental and cell biology, and plant biology. Bringing together CSHL’s long tradition of open scientific exchange and debate with Asia’s rich academic and cultural heritage will help to accelerate scientific discovery, cultivate future scientific stars, and promote collaborations both formal and informal, both national and international, between scientists, fostering friendships that extend well beyond the traditional laboratory bench.