Academician Tsong-Teh Kuo passed away in Taipei on August 29, 2022. He was 90 years old.

Dr. Kuo was an internationally renowned molecular biologist, focusing mainly on plant pathology and bacteriophage research. His discovery of the gene expression of the bacteriophage from bacterial leaf blight of rice and citrus bacterial canker laid important foundations for bacteriophage biology.

Dr. Kuo received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Davis in 1965, and returned to Taiwan to serve at the Institute of Botany (now the Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology) at Academia Sinica, and served as Director from 1971 to 1977. Dr. Kuo made a lasting impact on the development of molecular biology studies in Taiwan through his contributions to the founding of the Institute of Molecular Biology. He served as the Acting Director of the Institute’s preparation office in 1991 and from 1994 to 1995 after the Institute was founded. Dr. Kuo also served as the Member of the Academia Sinica Council for many years, promoting academic development at Academia Sinica.

During his distinguished career, Dr. Kuo received numerous honors, including the Chung-San Academic Award, the Outstanding Research Award from the National Science Council, Taipei, Taiwan, and the Outstanding Alumni Award from the Cal Aggie Alumni Association, University of California, Davis. Dr. Kuo was elected Academia Sinica Academician in 1974.