Chinese centre to analyze Danish DNA

A Chinese research institute opened its first European centre in Copenhagen on the 10 February. This was in collaboration with the University of Copenhagen, the Technical University of Denmark, Aarhus University and Aalborg University. All parties hope that the new centre will improve, research and investment relations between the two countries.

The Chinese research centre, BGI Europe, covers some 1,200 square meters at the Copenhagen Bio-Science Park, and is equipped with ten cutting edge gene sequencers. The new technology will be used to analyse DNA variations of Danes to help solve hereditary medical problems. It will carry out projects in areas such as health care, agriculture, and bio-energy.

»Our primary mission of this research centre is to provide BGI´s world-class expertise and infrastructure for the European researchers in genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics and other related areas. The opening of BGI Europe will add immense value on science advancement and application for both BGI Europe and Denmark. I believe this center also will strive to cultivate joint collaborations between China and Europe«, said Director of BGI Europe Ning Li.

Growing Collaboration Between China and UCPH

The University of Copenhagen’s representatives, all important figures in the new collaboration, express optimism on behalf of the new Chinese-Danish partnership.

»Both the facilities and the Danish and international scientists behind the centre are state-of-the-art. The vision is to create the best facilities in the fields of genomics and bioinformatics, so that we have an opportunity to utilise knowledge on genes and better Denmark’s possibilities of preventing and curing diseases, « says UCPH Prorector Thomas Bjørnholm.

Danish Minister for Trade and Investment is equally optimistic about the venture, referring to it as a »Sino-Danish joint endeavor at the frontiers of science.«

Other collaborations between Danish and Chinese researchers include using mushrooms to fight cancer researching ageing, longevity and health and work on molecular nano-electronics

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