China's BGI Opens Research Center in Denmark

China's BGI genome research institute formally opened its first European genome sequencing center here Friday, with the aim of accelerating innovation and development of genomics research and applications.

The European Genome Research Center is a collaboration between BGI, the world's largest genomics organization, and top Danish research institutes including Copenhagen University.

Located at the Copenhagen Bio Science Park (COBIS), a technology cluster in the Danish capital, the center aims to develop genome research and applications relevant to healthcare, while mapping the DNA variations of Danes to help solve hereditary medical problems.

"I am very confident this joint institute will contribute a lot to genomics in Denmark, in Europe, and over the whole world," said Yang Huanming, Co-founder and Chairman of BGI, at a ceremony officially opening the center.

"This center will play an important role in life sciences and industry in Denmark and Europe," Yang told the roughly 120 guests, including high-ranking representatives from Danish government, Danish and European universities, and Danish industry.

The center is also proof of deepening Sino-European collaboration on science and innovation, a development supported by the governments of China and Denmark.

Danish Minister for Trade and Investment Pia Olsen Dyhr welcomed BGI to Denmark, and referred to BGI Europe, which is BGI's Europe affiliate, as a "Sino-Danish joint endeavor at the frontiers of science."

At the launch, Dyhr said Denmark is focusing investment on Danish "strongholds," such as treatment of cancer and metabolic diseases, and other life sciences, and is therefore partnering with Chinese and other foreign industrial clusters and investors with matching abilities.

Dyhr said Sino-Danish research and commercial collaboration would increase bi-lateral flow of know-how and investment, leading to mutual benefits.

"Scientific and commercial breakthroughs here in the BGI genome research center will be the best way of attracting further attention to Denmark. Therefore I wish you all the best, for your sake, and for the sake of Denmark," she added.

Welcome to China New Energy Website.