Beijing Genomics Institute - Key Achievements

Key Achievements

• First to de novo sequence and assemble mammalian and human genomes with short-read sequencing (so-called "next generation sequencing")
• Sequenced the first ancient human’s genome
• Sequenced the first diploid genome an Asian individual, as part of the Yan Huang project
• Initiated building a sequence map of the human pan-genome, estimated to contain 19-40 million bases not in the human reference genome
• Contributed 10% of sequence information for the International HapMap Project
• BGI's first project was contributing 1% of the Human Genome Project’s reference genome and was the only institute in the developing world to contribute
• Produced proof-of-principle study for sequencing the microbiome of the human digestive system, an estimated 150 times larger than the human genome
• Key sequencing center in the 1000 Genomes Project
• First Chinese institution to sequence the Severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus, just hours after the first sequencing of the virus by Canadians
• Key player in the analysis of the 2011 E. coli O104:H4 outbreak
• Sequenced 40 domesticated and wild silkworms, identifying 354 genes likely important in domestication.
• Sequenced the first giant panda genome, equal in size to the human genome, in less than 8 months Sequencing revealed that the giant panda, Ailuropoda melanoleura, has a frameshift mutation in a gene involved in sensing savory flavors, T1R1. The mutation might be the genetic reason why the panda prefers bamboo over meat. However, the panda also lacks genes expected for bamboo digestion, so its microbiome might play a key role in metabolizing its main source of food.
• Key player in the Sino-British Chicken Genome Project
• As of 2010, plant genomes sequenced include rice, cucumber, soybean, and Sorghum. Animal genomes sequenced include silkworm, honey bee, water flea, lizard, and giant panda. An additional 40 animal and plant species and over 1000 bacteria had also been sequenced.
• Nature in 2010 ranked BGI Shenzhen as the fourth among the ten top institutions in China with all the others being universities and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. The ranking was based on articles in Nature research journals. There were similar results for other tops journals.