Innovative Manufacturing: Building a Gene Sequencing Industry Chain

Completing gene sequencing requires sequencing instruments, biological enzymes, and reagents and the manufacturing base of BGI Genomics Qingdao has now achieved full-chain production of all three key components.

A gene sequencer about the size of a standard printer is on display in the exhibition hall of BGI Genomics Qingdao's West Coast New Area (QWCNA) manufacturing base. Insert a sequencing slide and the device can simultaneously capture self-luminescent signals from up to 25 million DNA templates, with each template spaced just 900 nanometers apart.

"It is our independently developed product and we have just received domestic approval for clinical use on January 10," said Vice President Wang Qingbo of BGI Genomics Qingdao. He explained that the sequencer's innovation lies in its use of a self-luminescent sequencing principle and semiconductor-based image sensor technology for signal acquisition. Compact and easy to operate, it is well-suited for pathogen detection, small genome analysis, and other applications that would assist doctors in diagnostic decision-making.

"Our innovative product has quickly gained market recognition and our production team is working overtime to ensure sufficient inventory for new domestic and international orders," said Wang Qingbo as rows of gene sequencers are being assembled and packaged in the production line.

Large stainless steel fermentation tanks stand behind glass windows in the biological enzyme reagent production workshop as workers in protective suits ensure a dust-free, sterile environment. Here, microbial strains undergo an 18-step process—including fermentation, induction expression, high-pressure disruption, precision purification, and formulation—before being packaged as the final product.

The BGI Genomics Qingdao manufacturing base currently produces 2,000 liters of biological enzymes annually where they are a key catalytic component in gene testing reagents, directly impacting the quality of in vitro diagnostic reagents.

Gene sequencers are highly precise laboratory instruments that were once dominated by foreign manufacturers and imported sequencing equipment and reagents had always been expensive and difficult to maintain.

So what could be done to break the monopoly and achieve technological advancement? "Independent research and development," Vice President of BGI Genomics Mo Chenggang answered.

In 2016 BGI Genomics brought together a highly integrated, multidisciplinary R&D team spanning optics, mechanics, electronics, software, biology, medicine, and genomics to develop gene sequencers. "Our R&D investment accounted for 31.6% of total revenue in the first three quarters of 2024," said Mo Chenggang.

"We were focused on cutting-edge production, not only developing sequencing equipment but also investing in research for biological enzymes, reagents, and application software to build a fully integrated industry chain," Mo Chenggang added.

Today, BGI Genomics has mastered the systematic engineering technologies required for the entire gene sequencing process to achieve full industry-chain research, development, and independent production with its operations now spanning over 100 countries and regions worldwide.