Beijing Genomics Institute, Shenzhen

BGI (formerly known as Beijing Genomics Institute) was founded in Beijing on Sept 9th, 1999, with the mission of supporting the development of science and technology, building strong research teams, and promoting the development of commercial scientific services.With a goal of excellence, high efficiency, and accuracy, BGI has successfully completed a large numerous projects. These include sequencing 1% of the human genome for the International Human Genome Project; contributing 10% to the International Human HapMap Project; carrying out research to combat SARS; being a key player in the Sino-British Chicken Genome Project; and completely sequencing the rice genome, the silkworm genome; the first Asian diploid genome, the giant panda genome, and many more. Much of this research has been published in the top international academic journals Nature and Science. In conjunction with carrying out these projects, BGI has established its own technical platforms based on large-scale genomic sequencing, efficient bioinformatics analyses and innovative genetic health care initiatives. In the course of attaining these goals, BGI has undergone a historic breakthrough from a small sequencing center in 1999 to the largest genomics institute in Asia in 2009, and become one of the leading genomics institutes in the world.