Welcome to the BGI Group Newsletter: August 2024
Dear Subscribers,
Welcome to the August edition of the BGI Group Newsletter! In this edition, we are excited to present:
BGI Participates in the 2024 Global Conference of the Spatiotemporal Omics Consortium
Held at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, the 2024 Spatiotemporal Omics Consortium (STOC) Conference gathered over 270 scientists and industrial experts from 163 institutes across 40 countries, both online and offline. Over two days, participants shared and discussed the latest achievements and breakthroughs in spatiotemporal omics, covering topics such as Technology/Algorithm/Data Integration, Neurobiology and Developmental Biology, Cancer and Disease.
BGI science leaders delivered opening speeches, emphasizing the importance of global collaboration in scientific research. They highlighted the need for ambitious, inclusive, and equitable efforts to advance the field. Other BGI scientists presented reports on their latest research achievements, showcasing BGI's contributions to the field of spatiotemporal omics.
Key discussions focused on the ongoing development directions of the STOC, technological advancements, and the integration of multi-omics data. The event underscored the significance of global collaboration among academia, clinicians, and industry partners to foster technological innovation and translate research into patient benefits.
BGI remains committed to supporting the STOC and promoting scientific collaboration to achieve breakthrough results in life sciences:
Sharing their insights from 2024 Spatiotemporal Omics Consortium Conference, three key speakers from BGI-Research provided positive feedback on their participation in this global conference and its role in advancing spatial omics research:
The Summit Seeker
On May 21, the BGI mountaineering and scientific research team reached the summit of Mount Everest and transmitted the world's first ultrasound images and EEG data from the peak. Wang Jian, team leader, Co-founder, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BGI Group, set a record as the oldest Chinese climber to reach the summit:
And this is how Wang Jian says about his achievement of reaching the summit for the second time:
The Everest scientific research expedition has taken over two years from initiation to the present. The BGI mountaineering and scientific research team has combined their passion for climbing with groundbreaking scientific research on Mount Everest. From collecting physiological data at extreme altitudes to overcoming personal challenges, their journey exemplifies resilience and innovation:
Under Wang Jian's leadership, BGI Group has explored the Earth’s "four poles"—the Tibetan Plateau, the Mariana Trench, the South and the North Pole. These expeditions to the furthest points on earth and to the extremes in height and depth showcase BGI's spirit of fearlessness and pursuit of excellence. "Always passionate about reaching higher and challenging ourselves," Xu Xun, Director of BGI-Research, explained the motives behind these endeavors:
The Mount Everest science expedition didn't happen overnight - it was a process that accumulated all the experience, and skills required to make this achievement possible. Jin Xin, Chief Scientist at BGI-Research, and Jiang Xiaosen, Research Assistant to the Chairman of BGI Group, shared the story behind this ambitious project and the rigorous preparations that began more than two years ago:
领英推荐
BGI’s research efforts also at the South and North Poles include decoding the polar bear genome and uncovering the secrets of penguins' diving abilities, BGI's interdisciplinary efforts are pushing the frontiers of science. The discoveries hold potential for industrial, medical, and environmental breakthroughs:
BGI-Research Co-Led Research Links Gut Microbe Megamonas to Obesity, Suggesting Future Therapeutic Strategies
A recent study conducted by a joint team from Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and BGI-Research has significantly advanced our understanding of how gut microbiota is linked to obesity. The research provides a groundbreaking look at how specific gut bacteria, particularly a species of Megamonas, contribute to obesity by enhancing lipid absorption through the degradation of myo-inositol. This study is published in the journal Cell Host & Microbe:
Unlock the Potential of Cell-Free DNA for Infectious Disease Diagnosis: A BGI-Research Review
In a recent science review published in Trends in Microbiology, BGI-Research highlights the potential of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) as a non-invasive biomarker for the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of infectious diseases from both pathogen and host perspectives, along with the challenges and possible solutions in clinical settings:
BGI Group Joins Saudi AgriFood Tech Alliance to Drive Agricultural Innovation in the Middle East
BGI Group has recently joined the newly launched Saudi AgriFood Tech Alliance by the Saudi Ministry of Environment, Water, and Agriculture (MEWA). This initiative marks a pivotal step in advancing agri-food technology and promoting sustainable agriculture across Saudi Arabia and the Middle East.
BGI Group Executive Director and COO, Lu Jun, expressed BGI's commitment to leveraging biotechnology for agricultural innovation: "BGI Group is honored to join this alliance. Together, we'll explore vast possibilities in agri-food tech, contributing to the modernization and sustainability of agriculture."
BGI Group Strengthens Cooperation with Central Asian and Caucasus Countries
Yin Ye, CEO and Executive Director of BGI Group, recently visited Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Azerbaijan to discuss enhancing cooperation and leveraging genetic technology to benefit local populations. He noted these countries' rapid socio-economic development and eagerness to advance life sciences and healthcare.
Emphasizing BGI's mission of "Omics for All," Yin affirmed the commitment to improve public health, enhance scientific exchange, foster local talent, and support maternal and child health, early cancer screening, and rare disease diagnosis.
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See you in the next edition!
Best regards,
The BGI Group Newsletter Editorial Team