CHINESE scientists have unveiled BlueOmniBreed 1.0, a next-generation artificial intelligence (AI) platform purpose-built for aquaculture. The announcement was made in Qingdao, Shandong Province, marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts to modernize its marine seed industry through cutting-edge technology.

Experts say the platform will deliver intelligent, data-driven support for innovation in aquatic breeding, helping to accelerate the development of superior species with enhanced traits such as disease resistance, growth rate, and environmental adaptability. Ultimately, this is expected to bolster the competitiveness and sustainability of China’s aquaculture sector.

The platform was developed by the Qingdao Institute of Blue Seed Industry, in collaboration with the Key Laboratory of Marine Genetics and Breeding (Ocean University of China), the Ministry of Education, and the Sanya Oceanographic Institution at Ocean University of China.

According to Xu Yan, a professor at Ocean University of China, BlueOmniBreed 1.0 is driven by OmniG — a biological foundation model that focuses on gene relationships and pleiotropy, wherein a single gene or mutation can influence multiple seemingly unrelated traits in an organism.

By integrating protein language models, multi-omics analysis, evolutionary biology data, and statistical genetics, the platform establishes an end-to-end technological framework that spans gene function analysis, complex trait prediction, and intelligent breeding decision-making.

Xu added that the platform has also developed species-specific models for major marine economic species, including fish, shrimp, shellfish, sea cucumbers, and algae.

Bao Zhenmin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, president of the Qingdao Institute of Blue Seed Industry, and a professor at Ocean University of China, noted that by embedding AI into the breeding process, the platform helps bridge the gap between laboratory research and industrial application.

According to Bao, the technology will enable breeding enterprises to deploy their own “AI breeders,” accelerating the development of high-quality, resilient, and high-yield aquatic varieties.

(SD-Agencies)