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As a world-leading genomics research and development institution, BGI focuses on the research and development and manufacturing of a series of related products such as gene sequencers, supporting reagents and consumables. It is one of the few companies in the world that can independently develop and mass produce clinical-grade gene sequencers with different throughputs from Gb to Tb. The Nanyang University Model Institute, which has been established for more than 20 years, is the world’s largest genetic engineering mouse resource center. It has established the most complete humanized mouse model library in China and created several scientific research results that rank first at home and abroad.
Such a “strong alliance” is important enough. What kind of mission does the DCS Lab jointly built by both sides carry? In the planning, a picture of technological innovation and innovative development in the field of life sciences is slowly unfolding.
In the field of life sciences, research is inseparable from experimental animals, and the most common one is experimental mice. Mice are connected to laboratory research and human clinical trials, playing the role of “chip” in the development of new drugs – people simulate human diseases by creating mouse models for various diseases and using them to develop and test drugs.
“But it is not enough to have mice alone, and advanced life science tools are also the key.” Li Yan, director of the Nanyang University Model Institute, gave an example, “It’s like when we go to the hospital for examination. Only the most cutting-edge instruments can provide accurate and detailed physical examination reports. In the study of experimental mice, powerful analytical tools are also needed to obtain the most comprehensive and valuable data.”
The DCS Lab, which was launched in the Nanyang University Model Institute, is a powerful analysis tool platform.
It is understood that BGI has invested cutting-edge equipment such as nanopore gene sequencers, space-time microscopes, single-cell droplet generators into the laboratory , combining BGI’s most core technical directions such as genomics, single-cell omics, and space-time omics to help the Nanjing University Model build an internationally leading, large-scale and standardized frontier multi-computer education laboratory.
“We have the most complete humanized mouse model library in China, and BGI has the most advanced tools. This cooperation can be said to be ‘natural’.” Li Yan introduced that in the future, the two parties will combine their respective advantages to achieve complementary technology and platform advantages , and cooperate in in-depth aspects in single-cell omics, spatio-temporal omics, high-throughput droplet sorting, and automated sample resource library.
Just imagine, when each mouse model can analyze a large amount of valuable life science data and have a detailed and accurate “instructions”, disease mechanism analysis, new drug development, etc. will also “accelerate the investment and speed up” as a result . This will not only break through the bottleneck of application of gene sequencing technology in clinical testing, disease prevention and other scenarios, but will also promote the transformation of scientific research results into actual medical and health services.
“Of course, DCS Lab is not only for use in the Nanjing University model, but we will also be open to the scientific research teams of enterprises and surrounding universities at the same time .” Li Yan said that he hopes to inject new momentum into the independent innovation of the life and health industry in the new district with emerging technologies .0 2
A cutting-edge laboratory for omics and students has brought new possibilities. Looking back, this has been several times between BGI Intelligent Manufacturing and the new district.
In August last year, the new district enterprise, Shihe Gene, and BGI, reached a strategic cooperation in globalization. The two sides will jointly empower a large-scale forward-looking natural population tumor early screening project – Jinling Cohort; in November last year, the new district’s biomedical public service platform reached a strategic cooperation with BGI,… Every time they work together, they aim at the forefront of life sciences, and the life and health industry ecology of the new district has also been frequently mentioned .
“The new district focuses on the gene and cell industries, gathers many high-quality enterprises, and the industrial chain is full of motivation, which is very consistent with our development direction.”
As Xu Xun, executive director of BGI Group and president of BGI Life Sciences Research Institute, said in his speech, in the new district, a distinctive innovation system for the entire life and health industry chain has been initially formed, among which the leading industry is the gene and cell industry, and a large number of high-quality projects are gathered, developed and strengthened here. As more and more innovative elements gather here, there are more innovative achievements worth looking forward to in the prosperous industrial ecosystem.
