Qingdao research featured on Cell cover

The international academic journal Cell released a cover story featuring research achievements in deep-sea life led by Shanghai Jiao Tong University, the Institute of Deep-Sea Science and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and BGI Group on March 6.

The BGI Genomics Institute's Qingdao branch located in Qingdao West Coast New Area is also involved in the research.

The collection is featured as a cover story in the journal Cell. [Photo/WeChat account: qdxihaianfabu]

Included are one commentary outlining the project and three research papers focusing on prokaryotic microorganisms, invertebrates (hitch shrimp), and vertebrates (fish) in the hadal zone.

This is the first-ever systematic study of hadal zone life. The findings reveal the life adaptation strategies and resource potential of the ecosystems in the deepest ocean regions, expanding our understanding of life processes in extreme environments. The thriving hadal zone ecosystem demonstrates enormous potential in new genes, structures, and functions, offering new approaches to addressing the global depletion of biological resources.

Since its establishment in 2016, the BGI Genomics Institute's Qingdao branch has hosted the International Conference on Ocean Genomics several times. The institute has completed the most comprehensive marine microbial gene database to date, ranking first globally in marine organism gene sequencing capabilities with a contribution rate of 28 percent to the world and 49 percent to China.