The thousand marine organisms genome sequencing project, a collaboration between the Qingdao Area of the China (Shandong) Pilot Free Trade Zone (Qingdao FTZ) and research partners, has announced its achievements over the first year since it was launched.
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Qingdao FTZ in Qingdao West Coast New Area announces the outcomes of the marine organisms genome sequencing project. [Photo/Xihaian Media]
Launched in October 2023, the project, led by Qingdao Huada Gene Research Institute (BGI Research), has already sequenced over 310 marine species and established a marine microbial database that dwarfs existing global databases.
The project's research team has unearthed a trove of marine microorganism metagenomic data, leading to the creation of the most extensive marine microbial genome database to date.
This has paved the way for the discovery of numerous genes with promising applications, including new gene-editing tools and antimicrobial peptides, as well as enzymes capable of degrading plastics.
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A screenshot of the Nature article, paving the way for new insights into marine microorganism evolution, environmental adaptability, and genetic resource development. [Photo/Nature]
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The research published an overview of the global marine microbial genome dataset on Nature. [Photo/Nature]
On Sep 4, in conjunction with Shandong University, University of East Anglia (UK), Ocean University of China, Xiamen University, and University of Copenhagen (Denmark), the BGI Research published a paper in the prestigious journal Nature. The paper, titled Global Marine Microbial Diversity and Its Potential in Bioprospecting, highlights their findings in the field.