Fish Genomics at BGI

As the biggest genomics research center in the world, BGI has been leading the R & D of fish genomics for improvement of aquaculture, breeding and economy. Several sub-organizations, including BGI-Fish, BGI-Tech, BGI-Research and China National GeneBank, have played important roles in whole genome sequencing of over 20 fish species in the past few years. The genomes of half-smooth tong sole (Nature Genetics, 2014), amphibious mudskippers (Nature Communications, 2014) and large yellow croaker (PLOS Genetics, 2015) were published. Manuscripts for genomes of cavefishes (gold-lined barbel fishes) and economically important Chinese ricefield eel, seahorses, Asian arowanas, groupers and Chinese blunt-snout bream were submitted or are under preparation. More species are in the sequencing or analysis list.

Meanwhile, we are going to establish an International Consortium for Fish Genomics, with an aim at improving the efficiency of sequencing and cooperation. Since fishes are the main food resources of marine mammals, we will initiate the International Genome Programs of Marine Mammals (IGPMaMa) soon, so as to make a contribute to biological study and conservation of these lovely or endangered animals.