Agilent Technologies and BGI to Collaborate

The goal of the collaboration is to create a next-generation super exome, using Agilent’s SureSelect technology. The super exome incorporates sequence regions believed to be more informative for specific human populations. BGI is the largest genome sequencing center in Asia and one of the largest genomics research centers in the world.

“BGI aims to develop research collaborations and provide support to scientists all over the world,” said Hui Jiang, associate director of the Science and Technology Department at BGI. “Together with Agilent’s expertise, we can create more precise and accurate technology that can be deployed in large-scale research to better understand complex diseases, which may have differences between ethnicities.”
 
As part of this collaboration, BGI has selected to use Agilent’s comprehensive portfolio of solutions for genomics research and next-generation sequencing tools. These include Agilent’s SureSelect target-enrichment system and Agilent’s 2100 bioanalyzers. Additionally, Agilent will grant BGI early access to newly developed tools for the sequencing space.

“Agilent has a comprehensive portfolio of market-leading solutions for genomics research,” said Robert Schueren, vice president and general manager of Agilent's genomics business. “This partnership with BGI will not only add to this portfolio, but also further Agilent's mission to build products that enable life sciences discoveries and develop solutions that improve the human condition."

BGI and Agilent have been working closely together over the years. Previously, BGI used Agilent’s technologies to streamline and enhance the throughput of BGI's next-generation sequencing workflow. In China, BGI became the country’s first certified SureSelect XT service provider.