Beijing Genomics Institute
From Free net encyclopedia
The Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) was founded in 1998. It achieved international prominence as a center for sequencing the human genome. BGI completed one percent of the human genome for the Human Genome Project.
Today the BGI staff of 500 hundred, led by Director Yang Huanming (a.k.a. Henry Yang), are in the forefront of genome research. In Spring 2003, BGI was one of the first laboratories in the world to sequence the SARS virus. Current research includes drug discovery and studying the genes of livestock and crops. A cooperative project with Danish partners focuses on the pig genome. BGI's pionering work on the rice genome was featured on the cover of Science magazine in April 2002.
The Institute has both a private and a public character. It receives funds both from private investors and the Chinese government. The laboratory is also the Bioinformatics Center of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In October 2003, The Beijing Genome Institute Hangzhou (Zhejiang) branch and Zhejiang University founded a new research institute, the James D. Watson Institute of Genome Sciences. The Watson Institute is intended to become a major center for research and education in East Asia modeled after the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory.
Beijing Huada Genomics Research Center was the precursor of BGI, got tremendous achievement in scientific innovation and made indelible contribution to life science in China. Following taking 1% work of international Human Genome Project, we independently completed working draft and detailed genetic map of Chinese super hybrid rice genome. In the cooperation with international scientists, we completed several project, including porcine genome collaborated with Denmark, international chicken genome project. In China, we finished silkworm genome project collaborated with North East Agriculture University and in the combat against SARS we fought at the front line. All of these achievements we have got made us an excellent team, not only with international level research ability but also imbued with spirit of striving for science development and prosperity of home country.
At the time of foundation, we decided to meet the national strategic need and stand on the scientific front line. Under the right guidance of Chinese Academy of Sciences, we will carry out "Three Represents Theory" and stick to the strategic policy of "developing study by undertaking scientific project, ensuring subsistence by innovation and making improvement through collaboration". We aim to make BGI one of the active forces of the Chinese Academy of Sciences to climb onto the top of world life scientific mountain.