The University of Debrecen has signed a cooperation agreement in the form of an MOU on researching and developing various fields in genetics with the largest genomics corporation in the world, Beijing Genomics Institute of China.
The most recent health, pharmaceutical, medical, and herbal industry research and development plus innovation proceedings and technologies as well as examples of educational cooperation, were presented at the Third China – Central and East European Countries Health Ministers’ Forum and the related “Egészség Kapuja” [Gateway to Health] conference and exhibition. The event was held on health-economy issues with the participation of China and 16 Central and East European countries in Budapest on June 20.
At the international meeting, the University of Debrecen and the Chinese Beijing Genomics Institute signed a Memorandum of Understanding. On behalf of the University of Debrecen, the MOU on the development of the research of genetic and genomic sciences was signed by Deputy Rector of Education Elek Bartha. He emphasized the fact that it was a significant gesture of recognition that such a market leader had chosen the University of Debrecen for its partner institution, as it displayed the trust they grant to the expertise of the research staff of our institution.
“Because of the multidisciplinary quality of our university, the project outlined in the MOU promises to be beneficial not only for medical but also for agricultural, pharmaceutical, environmental, and technological research. The MOU that was signed at the meeting also has implications that reach beyond the borders of our immediate region and even state borders. Through its successful implementation, we will be able to achieve positive results in the entire macro-region around Debrecen, increasing the extent of the international recognition of our university,” said Elek Bartha.
According to the agreement, the parties involved will cooperate in establishing joint scientific and innovational research proposals and R&D projects, while working together in implementing and developing national and international research and innovation projects. UD and BGI Group envision the launching of joint activities in order to apply for funding and to train and educate research experts. One of the agreement objectives aims at exploring the possibility of establishing a sequencing hub for local population cohort studies and diagnostic testing. The lab will be staffed by UD, with BGI Group providing its sequencing expertise for the successful establishment of the laboratory, and sequencing platforms and ongoing support for the operation of the laboratory.
“The policy of BGI Group is to work together with locally significant teams of experts. We keep looking for partners, such as UD, which is the leading genomics institution in Hungary. We believe that, by combining their local strengths and BGI Group’s sequencing expertise, international network and sequencing platforms, this MOU establishes the beginning of a long-term strategic partnership between UD and BGI Group, which will lead to our two institutions jointly addressing key issues in human health,” said Li Ning, Chief Development Officer at BGI.
BGI Group was established in 1999 with participation in the original Human Genome Project. Since then, BGI Group has grown in to one of the world’s largest genomics organizations, experienced in genomic research, commercial NGS services and sequencer manufacturing.
BGI Group is committed to providing solutions to address the research, pharmaceutical, and clinical markets and is dedicated to improving human health and empowering large-scale human, plant and animal genomics research in the fields of pre-natal screening, targeted cancer sequencing, the analysis of rare diseases, and precision medical science.
Currently, BGI Group is present in more than 100 regions and countries in the world, coordinating the efforts of as many as 3000 health institutions and 300 hospitals.
Press Office, unideb.hu
