BGI Group

Plant breeding often takes many years, while climate stress and shifting pest pressures are creating an urgent need for more resilient crop varieties.

A new Molecular Plant opinion by researchers from CAAS, BGI Bioverse, Peking University Institute of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, and Wageningen University & Research proposes a plant breeding factory framework. The approach aims to move many early breeding steps into controlled indoor environments, combining molecular selection, accelerated growth cycles, high-throughput phenotyping, and enviromics before targeted field validation.

BGI is pleased to contribute to this discussion on how genomics and environmental data can support faster, more precise crop improvement.

Read more: https://en.genomics.cn/en-scientificdiscoverie-7618.html

BGI-Research, Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University and collaborators have published a study in Science presenting a multimodal spatiotemporal atlas of metastatic colonization.

Using Stereo-seq spatial transcriptomics alongside single-cell multiomics, the researchers tracked rare liver cancer cells as they arrived in the lung and identified transient mechanisms that help surviving cells evade immune destruction and later support metastatic outgrowth.

The findings offer new insight into the early stages of metastasis and provide a resource for researchers studying cancer progression and potential intervention strategies.

Read more: https://en.genomics.cn/en-scientificdiscoverie-7617.html

The passing of Japanese mystery novelist Keigo Higashino, widely known for The Devotion of Suspect X, is sad news for the world and a reminder of the impact of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer remains one of the world’s major cancer burdens, and cases are increasingly being seen among younger adults. This makes awareness and timely screening especially important.

Screening can help detect colorectal cancer earlier, when treatment is often more effective. Alongside colonoscopy, non-invasive methods such as f***l DNA methylation testing are helping expand access by identifying abnormal DNA changes linked to colorectal cancer and pre-cancerous growths.

Everyday choices can also help lower risk: eating more fiber, fruits, and vegetables; reducing processed and red meats; staying active; avoiding smoking; moderating alcohol intake; and understanding family history.

Awareness, screening, and healthier daily habits remain important steps in reducing the impact of colorectal cancer.

Learn more: https://en.genomics.cn/en-news-7615.html

BGI College and Dalian University of Technology have launched the 2026 DUT-BGI International Summer School at the BGI Center in Shenzhen.

The one-week program brings together 30 students and scholars from 10 countries to explore life sciences, genomics innovation, intelligent bioengineering, active health, and international research collaboration.

Participants will take part in lectures, research platform visits, laboratory practice, case studies, academic exchanges, and group discussions based on BGI’s research and technology platforms.

BGI is pleased to support this platform for international education, scientific exchange, and young talent development in life sciences.

Learn more: https://en.genomics.cn/en-news-7614.html

Researchers from BGI-Research and Shanxi Medical University have published a single-cell multi-omics atlas of the human nasal mucosa in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

The study profiled over one million cells from patients with allergic rhinitis and non-allergic rhinitis. By integrating transcriptomic and epigenomic data, the team found that allergic rhinitis may involve broader tissue-level changes, including disrupted communication between epithelial and stromal cells.

These insights may support future research into new ways to restore nasal mucosal homeostasis in allergic rhinitis.

Learn more: https://en.genomics.cn/en-scientificdiscoverie-7613.html

BGI Group has launched a multimodal eye imaging platform that supports whole-body health screening through non-invasive eye imaging and AI-powered analysis.
The platform integrates five examination technologies: external eye imaging, fundus photography, OCT/OCTA, eye-tracking, and biometric measurement. Together, these tools help capture detailed ocular data and assess health risk signals related to common eye diseases, cardiovascular health, metabolic conditions, and neurological status.

The screening process is non-invasive, radiation-free, and takes only about five minutes while seated. A digital report can be generated quickly, offering users accessible insights and practical prevention recommendations.

Now deployed at the BGI Future Intelligent Health Center, the platform is part of BGI Group’s ongoing work to advance preventive health and make intelligent screening solutions more accessible across everyday healthcare scenarios.

Learn more: https://en.genomics.cn/en-news-7612.html

BGI-Research and collaborators have published a new study in Science China Life Sciences presenting a single-cell multi-omics atlas of human immune aging.

The research integrates gene expression, full-length transcript isoform sequencing, and immune receptor profiling from the same individual cells, covering approximately 104,000 immune cells and 30 immune cell subtypes. The findings reveal age-associated changes in RNA transcript architecture, immune receptor diversity, and T cell clonal expansion.

The study demonstrates how BGI’s multi-omics technologies can support deeper investigation into immunosenescence and the molecular mechanisms of immune aging.

Learn more: https://en.genomics.cn/en-scientificdiscoverie-7611.html

BGI Group recently hosted the Training Program of Applicable Smart Medical Technology, bringing together 35 technical professionals from 12 countries for two weeks of intensive training in genomic sequencing, multi-omics technologies, and precision medicine applications.

Participants from Indonesia, Malaysia, Uganda, Saudi Arabia and beyond gained hands-on experience with BGI's "133111i" framework—combining whole-genome sequencing with multi-omics data to support the shift from reactive treatment to proactive prevention.

This is what international collaboration in healthcare looks like.

https://en.genomics.cn/en-news-7610.html