The China National GeneBank (CNGB), situated in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, South China, has emerged as a pivotal hub capable of storing millions of biological samples and facilitating data exchange with over 500 institutions worldwide, as reported by the local newspaper Shenzhen Special Zone Daily on Monday.
Comprising a biorepository, a bioinformatics data center, and a digitalization platform, the CNGB boasts cutting-edge infrastructure. The biorepository, equipped with multiple temperature layers of liquid nitrogen, serves as a crucial mechanism for safeguarding national biological and genetic resources, mitigating potential biological risks.
Biological resources are stored within the biorepository, while an integrated digitalization platform leverages advanced sequencing technology to decode genetic data. Subsequently, the bioinformatics data center processes and analyzes this data using supercomputing capabilities, facilitating advancements in life sciences research and the bio-industry sector.
The CNGB’s seamless integration of storage, analysis, and utilization of biological resources and information positions it as a cornerstone of China’s scientific and technological landscape. Since its inception, the CNGB has played a pivotal role in driving progress in life sciences and bolstering China’s bio-economy.
An unnamed CNGB official emphasized the critical role of preserving, protecting, and harnessing genetic resources in fostering international competitiveness and addressing the imperative for a healthier China. Furthermore, the development and utilization of genetic resources are anticipated to assume paramount importance in the global biological industry chain.
Initiated in 2011 by China’s National Development and Reform Commission and officially inaugurated in 2016, the CNGB aims to advance human health research and promote the conservation of global biodiversity. Spearheaded by BGI, a leading genomics organization based in Shenzhen, the project underscores China’s commitment to driving innovation and collaboration in biomedical research on a global scale.