October 29, 2013, Shenzhen, China- The China National Genebank (CNGB) has announced the development of a strategic alliance agreement with BioStorage Technologies, Inc. to provide biorepository expertise, technology, and industry-leading processes to support the development of one of the world's largest genomic biobanks. The CNGB is the first national genebank in China to integrate an "omics" database and a large-scale bio-repository consisting of 30 million biological samples including human, animal, plant, and microorganism samples. BioStorage Technologies, a global provider of comprehensive sample management solutions for the bioscience industry, has established a strategic alliance to support the growth of the CNGB through a partnership with BGI-Shenzhen, the world's largest genomic research center.
"The CNGB which was established by BGI-Shenzhen is dedicated to supporting the growth of the genomics (-omics and all biology) industry within China to support basic research, industry development and industry applications. As the global leader in sample management, BioStorage Technologies was selected as our strategic partner based on their ability to provide consulting, process leadership and innovative technology solutions." said Dr Yong Zhang, Director of CNGB.
The CNGB is committed to developing a biobank consortium across China and an expanding network worldwide to provide better support for global data sharing and exchange of biobank best practices including biobank construction, genomics research, and data acquisition. Physical samples stored within the CNGB biobank will be used to serve scientific research and potential industrialization, such as translational medicine, breeding and new energy exploitation. BioStorage Technologies' leadership in the development of best practices for biorepository operations and global technology platforms make it an excellent alliance partner for the CGNB.
"BioStorage Technologies sets global standards in comprehensive sample management and our proprietary tracking system, ISISS® is the industry's most advanced virtual sample management and web-based tracking tool. BioStorage Technologies is honored to be selected as a partner on one of the largest genomic biobanks in the world," said Greg Swanberg, CEO, BioStorage Technologies. "We are pleased to be bringing our technical expertise, world-class processes and technology platforms to the CNGB and research organizations in China. The combination of ISISS with BGI's scientific and data capabilities provide the CGNB with the global capabilities required to be a vital asset to the research industry."
"BioStorage Technologies is the world-class pioneer of sample management and is committed to providing customers with innovative solutions. That idea is consistent with what we are hoping to accomplish with CNGB. Together, we will ensure the growth of the genomic biobank industry in China and promote the rapid development of Chinese biobanks – with the aim of providing numerous biological resources and a strong scientific backbone for the research of life science. We have started a world-wide network to make all Bio-Resource useful and build a "bio-Google" or "bio-Apple" in the end. With the strongest collaboration relationship with BioStorage Technologies, we believe we can do it better and faster." said Dr Zhang.
About CBGB-Shenzhen
Established by BGI-Shenzhen, the China National Genebank (CNGB) is the first national genebank integrating a large-scale bio-repository and an omics database. It is approved by National Development and Reform Commission, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry and Information Technology and local government, National Health and Family Planning Commission , with the mission of collecting, preserving and exploiting genomics resources, and to build a network fostering global communication and collaboration on biodiversity conservation and genetic resources utilization. In addition, CNGB is supported by BGI's high-throughput sequencing and bio-informatics capacity, and it will not only provide a repository system for biological collection, but more importantly develop a novel platform to further understand genomic mechanisms of life. For more information, visit http://www.nationalgenebank.org
About BGI
BGI was founded in 1999 with the mission of being a premier scientific partner to the global research community. The goal of BGI is to make leading-edge genomic science highly accessible through its investment in infrastructure that leverages the best available technology, economies of scale, and expert bioinformatics resources. BGI, which includes both private non-profit genomic research institutes and sequencing application commercial units, and its affiliates, BGI Americas, headquartered in Cambridge, MA, and BGI Europe, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, have established partnerships and collaborations with leading academic and government research institutions as well as global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, supporting a variety of disease, agricultural, environmental, and related applications.
BGI has established a proven track record of excellence, delivering results with high efficiency and accuracy for innovative, high-profile research which has generated over 250 publications in top-tier journals such as Nature and Science. These accomplishments include sequencing one percent of the human genome for the International Human Genome Project, contributing 10 percent to the International Human HapMap Project, carrying out research to combat SARS and German deadly E. coli, playing a key role in the Sino-British Chicken Genome Project, and completing the sequence of the rice genome, the silkworm genome, the first Asian diploid genome, the potato genome, and, most recently, have sequenced the human Gut metagenome, and a significant proportion of the genomes for 1,000 genomes. For more information about BGI please visit http://www.genomics.cn.
About BioStorage Technologies, Inc.
BioStorage Technologies, Inc. is the premier, global provider of comprehensive sample management solutions for the bioscience industry. Offering flexible onsite, offsite and hybrid sample outsourcing models for the management of research assets, BioStorage Technologies manages the complete life-cycle of samples. With an expert team of global sample consultants, industry-leading temperature-controlled storage facilities, and state-of-the-art virtual sample management and bioprocessing solutions, the company supports its customers in maximizing opportunities, minimizing risk and reducing costs. BioStorage Technologies, Inc. is a privately held, global corporation. For more information, visit http://www.biostorage.com or call +1 866 697 2675 for North America, +49 6155 898 1011 for Europe or +65 31576199 for Asia-Pacific.