The new year brings a new start. On behalf of the Beijing Institute of Genomics (BIG)/China National Center for Bioinformation (CNCB), I would like to extend my sincere appreciation and best wishes to our faculty, staffs, students, and people from all walks of life for their enduring care and support to BIG.
In 2022, the 20th CPC National Congress was successfully held, which pointed out the direction forward and established a guide for action for advancing the cause of the Party and the country in the new era and achieving the Second Centenary Goal. All people in the Institute have been studying, publicizing, and implementing the spirit of the 20th CPC National Congress. We have been focusing on our primary responsibilities and research areas, and have made important progress in various tasks over the past year.
We have been vigorously promoting the construction of CNCB, with progress selected for the themed achievement exhibition “Forging Ahead in the New Era”. The Feasibility Study Report of CNCB was officially approved by the National Development and Reform Commission. Besides, we actively prepared and organized the supporting project for the construction of CNCB. Over the past year, the Center has developed 10 new databases covering diseases, genomic variation, single-cell omics, and other fields, and built an integrated “data-information-knowledge” resource system for multi-omics studies. The Center has been listed for 5 consecutive years as a global major database provider alongside NCBI in the United States and EBI in Europe by the Nucleic Acids Research, a prestigious international journal in the field. Moreover, entrusted by the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Center undertakes the task of management and backup of national human genetic information for data security.
High-impact scientific research outcomes have been achieved in the main direction of “the 14th Five-Year Plan”, with active S&T transformation. We revealed a new regulatory mechanism underlying phase separation-mediated translation of maternal mRNAs in early embryogenesis, and the molecular mechanism on how histone modification readers regulates meiotic homologous recombination. We also identified a new pathogenic gene of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, as well as a long non-coding RNA that can affect tumor therapeutic efficacy through its encoded micropeptide. The Genome Sequence Archive (GSA) has integrated the relevant data of NCBI, offering one-stop visit of these data in CNCB. Moreover, a technical transfer contract of “Non-invasive Liquid Biopsy Urine Tests for the Detection, Classification and Monitoring of Genitourinary Cancers” was signed, with the amount of CNY 24.64 million.
We have been harnessing the enormous power of Bioinformation to assist in fighting against the pandemic at home and abroad. The Resource for Coronavirus 2019 (RCoV19) has been continuously updated and has served more than 2.4 million visitors from 181 countries/regions worldwide, with total downloads over 10 billion. More than 500 reports have been delivered to relevant ministries and commissions, providing scientific support for decision-making on pandemic prevention and control. Two research groups and two individuals were awarded “Advanced Collectives” and “Excellent Individuals” by the Ministry of Science and Technology to acknowledging their contributions to the fight against COVID-19.
We keep strengthening the construction of talent team. The “Honorary Research Fellow” system was implemented. The “Outstanding Young Scientist” program was initiated to spot and nurture young talents by offering a steady support. One PI was selected for the national “Outstanding Young Talents Program (Overseas)”. Four and nine talents were selected for the first batch of core posts and key posts of CAS, respectively. Many post-doctorates received funding from the CAS Special Research Assistant Program and the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation. The Youth Innovation Promotion Association of CAS welcomed 1 excellent member and 2 new members from our institute. Moreover, two graduate students won the CAS President’s Outstanding Graduate Scholarship.
“New year, new plan, Let’s work together to achieve more”.
In 2023, we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Institute. We will keep moving forward and strive hard to advance the construction of CNCB, implement the tasks proposed for the “14th Five-Year Plan”, and contribute to China's S&T self-reliance for high-quality development.
Director：YANG Yungui