Welcome to the BGI Group Newsletter: March 2025 Edition
Dear Subscribers,
Welcome to the March edition of the BGI Group Newsletter! In this edition, we are pleased to present:
BGI Group Co-founder and Chairman Wang Jian Strengthens Cooperation with Four Asian Countries
From late January to early February, Wang Jian, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of Directors of BGI Group, visited four Asian countries - Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia, and Nepal - to foster international cooperation in disease prevention, scientific research, and talent development. During his visit, Wang engaged with government officials, university leaders, and business executives, paving the way for deeper collaboration across multiple sectors.
During his visit in Thailand, Wang was invited to deliver a keynote speech at the Prince Mahidol Award Conference (PMAC) 2025 in Bangkok. In a special PMAC 2025 interview, he discusses the impact of the Human Genome Project and how BGI is carrying on its legacy to benefit the world using genetic technology.
Talk with Dr. Yin Ye: BGI Group’s Commitment to Africa
BGI Group is driving advancements in Africa’s food security, public health, and technology through genomics. By introducing perennial rice, it has reduced farming costs and increased productivity, while also training researchers across Africa in disease prevention. In this interview, CEO Dr. Yin Ye highlights Africa’s potential and reaffirms BGI’s commitment to collaboration and sustainable progress.
BGI’s Contributions to Africa in Genomics and Food Security
Food security is a major issue in Africa, and BGI Group is helping locals cope with this challenge through genomic technology. Dr. Yin explains how BGI has introduced perennial rice into African countries. This rice can be harvested multiple times over a two- to four-year period, significantly reducing growing costs and increasing productivity.
Training and Development in Africa for Building Capacity for Public Healthcare
“BGI has provided extensive on-ground training and support to researchers and healthcare professionals,” said Dr. Yin regarding efforts to help African countries find long-term solutions for public health. These initiatives include a recent three-month course in which 37 participants from 27 English-speaking African countries learned BGI’s disease prevention and laboratory techniques.
The Future of Africa and the Role of Genomics
Dr. Yin highlighted Africa's strengths and potential despite its challenges. He emphasized that BGI will continue collaborating with African partners to improve public health, food security, and technology, believing that international cooperation will lead to mutual success and progress.
Collaborating for Global Scientific Progress at ICG-19
Let's continue engaging with the speakers and building on the ideas from our previous newsletter. Hear their insights on ICG-19:
ICG-19SZ x Prof. Vassilis Klissouras: The Olympic Ideal - A Blueprint Beyond Genomics
Vassilis Klissouras, Professor Emeritus at the University of Athens and McGill University, explored the "Olympic Ideal" and the factors that shape elite athletic performance. While early beliefs emphasized training, his groundbreaking research challenged this view, revealing that genetics play a significant role.
Through studies on twins, he found that aerobic capacity - a key determinant of athletic performance - is up to 94% heritable. Yet, the ultimate limits of performance may rely less on physical traits and more on an athlete's mind, psychology, and cognitive abilities.
This blueprint for understanding human potential goes far "beyond genomics" and highlights the power of the mind in shaping success.
ICG19SZ x Prof. Guangxiu Lu: I Am the "Grandmother" of 230,000 Children
“The Human Genome Project is the foundation; without it, nothing can be achieved.”
Professor Guangxiu Lu, Honorary President of CITIC-XIANGYA Hospital, is a pioneer in reproductive genetics and has contributed to over 230,000 healthy births. At ICG-19, she shared her journey, from the early challenges in genetics to the breakthrough of preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD).
She reflected on the arduous journey of genomics development over the past century and highlighted China's global leadership in the field of genomics. She also acknowledged BGI's outstanding contributions and its pivotal role in advancing reproductive medicine, paving the way for a healthier future for families worldwide.
ICG-19SZ x Prof. Mohamed Hassan: Collaboration is the Backbone of Scientific Advancement
“Collaboration is really the backbone of scientific advancement.”
Professor Mohamed Hassan, President of the Sudanese National Academy of Sciences (SNAS) highlighted the transformative contributions of developing nations, led prominently by China, in reshaping the landscape of global research. Remarkably, nearly 50% of scientific publications now stem from these regions, showcasing their growing influence on the world's research output.
Through the exchange of knowledge and expertise, scientists from diverse backgrounds can collaboratively tackle pressing issues such as poverty, sustainability, and other global challenges with heightened effectiveness. This collective effort underscores the power of unity in advancing science for the benefit of all humanity.
ICG-19SZ x Prof. Jun Yu: Opportunities and Challenges Await Future Microbiological Research
Jun Yu, Professor and Director of the State Key Laboratory at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, highlighting China’s achievements in omics, including genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. She discussed breakthroughs in high-throughput sequencing and its applications in early diagnosis and personalized treatments.
Professor Yu also shared insights into the long-standing collaboration with BGI, particularly in gut microbiota research, which integrates advanced sequencing technologies, multidisciplinary innovation, and extensive data resources to sustain a leading global position.
ICG19SZ x Prof. Yusheng Wang: Genomics Should be Considered a Hi-Tech Necessity for the Entire World
“Just as the 20th century was the era of information science and technology, genomics should be considered a high-tech necessity for the entire world,” said Professor Yusheng Wang, former Director of the China Science and Technology Museum and member of the China National Education Consulting Committee.
He reflected on how genomics, life sciences, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the future, elevating life sciences from a scientific discipline to a core driver of global innovation. Prof. Wang envisions a future where objective science may no longer define human society, as genetic engineering, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and related advancements become the mainstream of future technology.
(Please stay tuned for more interviews from ICG-19.)
6,000 Years of Antarctic Biodiversity Unveiled: BGI-Research Co-Led Study Reveals Climate-Driven Ecosystem Shifts
On March 5, a new study published by BGI-Research, in collaboration with the Center for Evolutionary & Organismal Biology at Zhejiang University, the University of Adelaide, and other research institutions, has revealed 6,000 years of Adélie penguin population and ecological history in Antarctica’s Ross Sea, shedding light on the impact of climate change on marine and terrestrial biodiversity. This study was published in Nature Communications.
BGI-Research and Partners Decode the Genetic Blueprint of Soybean Organ Development for Precision Molecular Breeding
In a new study published in?Molecular Plant, researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, in close collaboration with BGI-Research, Yazhouwan National Laboratory, and the CAS Institute of Genomics, have unveiled the first comprehensive spatiotemporal gene atlas for a Chinese soybean variety?Zhonghuang 13. By integrating over 300 bulk RNA-seq samples with high-resolution single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq) and state-of-the-art spatial transcriptomics (Stereo-seq), the team has mapped the dynamic gene expression landscape across the entire developmental cycle of soybean organs.?
领英推荐
Breaking New Ground in Soil Crust Genomics: BGI-Research and Partners Reveal How Desert Green Algae Thrive Under Extreme Conditions
In a latest study published in?Nature Communications, a research team from BGI-Research and the Max Planck Institute reports the first-ever chromosome-level assembly of two?Bracteacoccus?species (B. bullatus?and?B. minor), using BGI’s sequencing platform. This milestone not only pinpoints how these algae thrive under environmental stress but also highlights their potential as a resource for desert restoration and broader biotechnological applications.
BGI-Research and Partners Unveil Mechanism of Fulminant Myocarditis Offering New Therapeutic Insights
Scientists from Huazhong University of Science and Technology and BGI-Research have uncovered the intricate immune mechanisms underlying Fulminant Myocarditis (FM). Utilizing BGI’s Stereo-seq multi-omics technology alongside single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), the study provides an unprecedented spatiotemporal perspective on FM, reshaping global understanding of this life-threatening cardiac condition. This study was published in?Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy.
BGI Reveals Algorithm for Tracing Cell Trajectories in Development and Cancer Progression
A research team from BGI-Research published a new method in?Cell Systems. The paper introduces SpaTrack, a new computational tool for constructing spatiotemporal cell differentiation trajectories. SpaTrack combines single-cell spatial transcriptomics with optimal transport theory, offering a comprehensive framework to elucidate how cells evolve, migrate, and specialize within the dynamic contexts of tissue development, organ regeneration, and cancer progression. This innovative method leverages high-resolution data from BGI’s proprietary Stereo-seq technology, capturing both transcriptional profiles and spatial locations of individual cells in tissue samples.
First Round Announcement | The 20th Annual Meeting of the International Conference on Genomics (ICG-20) to be Held in Wuhan, China
The 20th International Conference on Genomics (ICG-20) Wuhan will be held from March 22 to 23, 2025, in Wuhan, China!
ICG-20 Wuhan will focus on discovering, protecting, studying, and utilizing biodiversity resources with AI and omics technologies. This year’s conference continues to uphold its “Omics for All” mission and will center on the theme “Omics and AI in Biodiversity.” It will bring together leading scholars from around the world to share the latest developments in life sciences and AI. The event will explore the applications of omics and AI in evolutionary biology, extreme climate and endangered species conservation, soil and agriculture, crop genetic improvement, discovery and application of microbial dark matter, ecological monitoring, etc.
This year’s conference will be instrumental in pushing the boundaries of omics and AI, fostering global collaboration, and driving innovative solutions to critical challenges in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.
Since 2006, the ICG has been recognized as one of the world's most significant gatherings in life sciences, thanks to the participation and contributions of leading professionals and bioindustry experts. Over the past 19 years, more than 1,500 world-class scientists, including Nobel Laureates from various countries, have taken part, with over 10,000 on-site attendees and 15 million online participants witnessing the rapid advancements in genomics and life sciences. Each edition highlights the latest scientific breakthroughs, technological innovations, and industry applications, solidifying its role as a key academic platform for genomics research.
Conference Overview
Theme:?“Omics and AI in Biodiversity”
Dates：
Location:?Wuhan, China
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For more information and event registration, please visit:
Chulalongkorn University - BGI Joint International PhD Program within the CHANGS Initiative: Pioneering Research in Genomics, Aging, and Regenerative Medicine
Chulalongkorn University and BGI are collaborating on the?CHANGS Initiative?(Comprehensive Health Analysis for Aging Study), a groundbreaking research project focused on healthy aging in Thailand. By integrating single-cell genomics, spatial transcriptomics, bioinformatics, and AI-driven healthcare, CHANGS aims to advance medical innovation and improve elderly care.
As part of this collaboration, both institutes offer a Joint International PhD Program, where candidates conducting research in the CHANGS Initiative may qualify for the CHANGS Excellence Track, which provides exclusive scholarship support.
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Program Features
Research Topics & Supervisors for CHANGS
The program offers research opportunities in the following areas:
1. Aging Measurement: Multi-omic profiling of human blood and tissues to study aging processes.
2. Anti-Aging Therapies: Evaluation of therapeutic interventions targeting aging in human populations.
3. AI-Based Organ Aging Models: Constructing organ biology age models using artificial intelligence algorithms.
4. Machine Learning & Multi-Omics Integration: Bridging data and discovery in aging research.
Each project is supervised by experienced researchers from both Chulalongkorn University and BGI, the profile of supervisor teams can be accessed here: Research Topics & Supervisorsfor CHANGS.
For more information and program registration, please visit:
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See you in the next edition!
Best regards,
The BGI Group Newsletter Editorial Team