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Science/Tech See other Science/Tech Articles Title: China's BGI opens research center in Denmark COPENHAGEN, Feb. 11 (Xinhua) -- China's BGI genome research institute formally opened its first European genome sequencing center here Friday, with the aim of accelerating innovation and development of genomics research and applications. The European Genome Research Center is a collaboration between BGI, the world's largest genomics organization, and top Danish research institutes including Copenhagen University. Located at the Copenhagen Bio Science Park (COBIS), a technology cluster in the Danish capital, the center aims to develop genome research and applications relevant to healthcare, while mapping the DNA variations of Danes to help solve hereditary medical problems. "I am very confident this joint institute will contribute a lot to genomics in Denmark, in Europe, and over the whole world," said Yang Huanming, Co-founder and Chairman of BGI, at a ceremony officially opening the center. "This center will play an important role in life sciences and industry in Denmark and Europe," Yang told the roughly 120 guests, including high-ranking representatives from Danish government, Danish and European universities, and Danish industry. The center is also proof of deepening Sino-European collaboration on science and innovation, a development supported by the governments of China and Denmark. Danish Minister for Trade and Investment Pia Olsen Dyhr welcomed BGI to Denmark, and referred to BGI Europe, which is BGI's Europe affiliate, as a "Sino-Danish joint endeavor at the frontiers of science." At the launch, Dyhr said Denmark is focusing investment on Danish "strongholds," such as treatment of cancer and metabolic diseases, and other life sciences, and is therefore partnering with Chinese and other foreign industrial clusters and investors with matching abilities. Dyhr said Sino-Danish research and commercial collaboration would increase bi-lateral flow of know-how and investment, leading to mutual benefits. "Scientific and commercial breakthroughs here in the BGI genome research center will be the best way of attracting further attention to Denmark. Therefore I wish you all the best, for your sake, and for the sake of Denmark," she added. Her sentiments were echoed by Gu Hui, Charge D'affaires at the Embassy of China in Denmark, who said BGI's European genome research center could become a model of cooperation for enterprises, universities and research institutes supported by the Chinese and Danish governments. "In spite of uncertainties of the world economy, we believe science and technology will remain the leading force for world development," Gu said. "There is great potential for China and Denmark to promote scientific and technological cooperation especially in green technology, bio-science and renewable energy," he added. The BGI European center covers some 1,200 square meters at the COBIS site, and is equipped with 10 Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencers. It will carry out two integrated projects that will deepen and quicken the development of genomics research and its business application in areas such as health care, agriculture, and bio-energy. This includes identifying previously unknown pathogens for the purpose of developing and patenting commercial vaccines, including a possible vaccine against cancer. It will also provide expertise and infrastructure for studies in genomics, proteomics, and bio-informatics, BGI said in a statement. Moreover, the center will develop a unique catalog of the millions of variations in DNA of Danish people, by sequencing the genes of one percent of the Danish population. Founded in Beijing in 1999, BGI has helped sequence 1 percent of the human genome for the International Human Genome Project, completed sequencing the rice and silkworm genomes, and conducted research into combating SARS and E. coli. It has contributed to over 170 papers published in leading scientific journals. BGI Europe has built up collaborations with top private and public sector research institutions, and global bio-tech and pharmaceutical companies, since it was established here in 2010. Editor: Tang Danlu Poster Comment: Much smarter and more beneficial to mankind than crazy JewMericans opening up another military base abroad. Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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