2019 has been a milestone in the history of Beijing Institute of Genomics (BIG), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS). On November 13, the State Commission of Public Sectors Reform officially approved the formation of “China National Center for Bioinformation (CNCB)” with a mission to carry out data depository and management as well as cross disciplinary research and development of bioinformation.

2019 was also a year for the Institute to further implement its strategic plan named as the “One-Three-Five” plan during the “Thirteenth Five-Year Plan” period. Several major breakthroughs and progress have been made in this year.

First, we revealed a key role of CTCF in dynamics of 3D chromosome structure for human sperm and early embryos, providing insight into the molecular mechanism of human embryonic development (Chen, X. et al. Nature. 576:306-310). Second, we revealed the molecular mechanism of RNA m6A modification to regulate anti-tumor immune function of dendritic cells, providing a new target for anti-tumor immunotherapy (Han, D. et al. Nature. 566:270-274). Third, we developed a new technology by using epigenome to screen embryos during in vitro fertilization (IVF) in collaboration with the Medical Scholl of Shandong University, which can double the birth rate for test-tube babies compared to a conventional technology. Fourth, in collaboration with Children’s Hospital of Soochow University and St. Jude Children’s hospitals in the US, we carried out a low-dose chemotherapy plus G-CSF regimen to treat pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (Hu, Y. et al. National Science Review. 6: 469-479), and a nationwide multicenter clinical trial has been successfully launched. In 2019, we have published a total of 140 SCI papers including 4 papers in Nature, obtained 14 invention patents and 17 software works rights.

This year, the Ministry of Science & Technology and the Ministry of Finance of China have jointly established the National Genomics Data Center (NGDC) in BIG as one of twenty national scientific data centers in June 2019. As of December 2019, NGDC has archived over 1.4 PB of omics data submitted by 720 users from 269 institutions. Genomics, Proteomics & Bioinformatics, a journal jointly organized by our institute and the Genetics Society of China, has been funded by the Action Plan for the Excellence of STM Journals of China between 2019-2023.

In 2019, the Institute also made progress in research team building and talent recruitment by implementing recently formulated strategic human resource guidelines of CAS and has recruited three outstanding young scientists and three special research assistants. Meanwhile, one researcher was elected as "Young Yangtze River Scholar" and two admitted to the CAS Youth Innovation Promotion Association.

In 2020, under the leaderships of the Party Central Committee and CAS, BIG will work together with other parties of CAS to promote the development of CNCB as well as to accomplish its “One-Three-Five” strategic plan’s targets.

I would like to extend my sincere appreciations and best wishes to all of our colleagues and friends home and broad for their enduring supports.