Helen Deng

    BGI, the world’s largest genomics organization and headquartered in Shenzhen, opened its first European Genome Research Center in Copenhagen, Denmark, on Friday.

    Located in Copenhagen Bio Science Park, the research center spans about 1,200 square meters and is equipped with 10 Illumina HiSeq 2000 sequencers, which allow increased analysis of genetic variation and function. The center aims to establish collaborations that will accelerate the innovation and development of genomics research and applications in health care, agriculture, bioenergy and other related areas in Europe.

    The center’s opening ceremony was held at the University of Copenhagen on Friday. More than 120 guests attended, including Pia Olsen Dyhr, Danish minister of trade and investments.

    Li Ning, director of BGI Europe, said: “Our primary mission of this research center is to provide BGI’s world-class expertise and infrastructure for European researchers in genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and other related areas.”

    According to Li, the genome research center is partly funded by grants from the Danish National Advanced Technology Foundation. Two integrated projects will be initiated in the center. One will try to identify previously unknown cancer pathogens that could lead to the development and patenting of commercial vaccines. The other will establish a unique catalogue of millions of variations in Danish DNA by finishing 1 percent of Danish genome sequencing.