Beijing Genomics Institute 454760 224752025 2008-07-10T07:31:09Z 121.15.138.1 The '''Beijing Genomics Institute''' ('''BGI''') was founded in [[1998]]. It achieved international prominence as a center for sequencing the human genome. BGI completed one percent of the human genome for the [[Human Genome Project]]. Today the BGI staff of 500, led by Director [[Yang Huanming]] (also known as Henry Yang), are in the forefront of genome research. In Spring 2003, BGI was one of the first laboratories in the world to sequence the [[Severe acute respiratory syndrome|SARS]] virus. Current research includes [[medication|drug]] discovery and studying the genes of livestock and crops. A cooperative project with Danish partners focuses on the [[pig]] genome. BGI independently completed a working draft and detailed genetic map of Chinese super hybrid rice genome. This pioneering work was featured on the cover of ''Science'' magazine in April 2002. BGI also participated in international chicken genome project and sequenced silkworm genome in collaboration with North East Agriculture University in China. The Institute has both a private and a public character. It receives funds both from private investors and the Chinese government. The laboratory is also the Bioinformatics Center of the [[Chinese Academy of Sciences]]. Beijing Huada Genomics Research Center was the precursor of BGI. In October [[2003]], The Beijing Genome Institute Hangzhou (Zhejiang) branch and [[Zhejiang University]] founded a new research institute, the James D. Watson Institute of Genome Sciences. The Watson Institute is intended to become a major center for research and education in East Asia modeled after the [[Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory]]. == External links == * [http://www.genomics.org.cn/bgi/english2/index.htm Beijing Genomics Institute/Bioinformatics Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences] * [http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/296/5565/36 The Rice Genome: Beijing Genomics Institute] (''Science'', April 2002) * [http://www.genomics.org.cn/bgi/english2/news/news031016.htm James D. Watson Genomics Institute founded] [[Category:Genetics or genomics research institutions]] [[Category:Research institutes in China]]