No Chinese genetics research in Cluj for now

The Chinese Beijing Genomics Institute (BGI) is one of the largest companies in the medical research area.

BGI was founded in 1999 in Shenzhen, Guangdong, as a genetic research centre, specialized in genome sequencing.

From its inception until now, the company has transformed from a research institute that decoded the DNA of pandas and rice into a company active in animal cloning and health testing.

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BGI’s breakthrough occurred at the beginning of 2020, when it announced that it would make genome decoding cheaper and would be capable of decoding the genomes of 100,000 people a year.

The Chinese Beijing Genomics Institute, in Cluj?

In 2017, the Chinese company showed interest in developing a bioinformatics hub in South-Eastern Europe and the Romanian city of Cluj-Napoca was one of its main options.

Some BGI representatives paid a visit to the Cluj County Council to see what support and facilities Cluj-Napoca provided, but the business did not materialize.

BGI collaborates with famous names, such as Bill Gates (with whom it develops several projects in Africa) or with the scientist James Watson (who is also a member of the Advisory Board of the Chinese company).