Beyond Mount Everest and the Mariana Trench, BGI has also conducted scientific explorations in the Antarctic and Arctic regions. Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams around the world, BGI has pushed the boundaries of frontier science research. The dedication to science and the pursuit of excellence embodied by BGI scientists drive these endeavors.
In this interview, we speak with Liu Shiping, Chief Scientist at BGI-Research, and Zhou Chengran, Project Leader at BGI-Research, to uncover the stories behind their research in the polar regions.
Pioneering New Directions for Future Scientific Research and Applications
Q: Could you introduce BGI's scientific discoveries on the “Four Poles”?
Zhou Chengran: The research on the "Four Poles," which refers to the South Pole, North Pole, Mount Everest, and the deep sea, is significant for BGI. So far, we have achieved several milestones.
Firstly, we've unveiled the molecular mechanisms behind polar biodiversity and how life adapts to extreme conditions. Secondly, by studying the biological resources from these environments, such as specialized enzymes, we are providing new solutions for industrial and medical applications.
We have also collected numerous microbial samples from the Antarctic and deep sea, discovering many new genes that hold potential for breakthroughs in medicine and environmental protection. These studies not only deepen our understanding of Earth's biodiversity but also open new avenues for future scientific research and applications.
Providing New Insights for Preventing or Treating Cardiovascular Diseases
Q: You participated in the study of the polar bear genome in 2014. Could you share the scientific discoveries from that research?
Liu Shiping: The polar bear is a highly symbolic species. With global warming shrinking their habitat, many are now stranded in ice-free areas, posing a significant threat to their survival. Our research on polar bears occurred in two stages: decoding their genome and studying the population's historical changes.
We made several intriguing discoveries. Firstly, we solved a longstanding puzzle. Previous studies suggested that polar bears originated from a subgroup of brown bears. However, our whole-genome data refuted this, proving that polar bears and brown bears are distinct species with independent origins.
Secondly, we found that genes related to fatty acid metabolism and cardiovascular function have undergone strong positive selection in polar bears over the past hundreds of thousands of years. This explains why polar bears, despite having 20 cm of subcutaneous fat, do not suffer from cardiovascular issues typically associated with obesity. This discovery could offer new directions for preventing or treating human cardiovascular diseases caused by high-fat diets.
Unveiling the Secrets Behind Penguins' Superior Vision and Diving Abilities
Q: In 2022, you published penguin-related results as a co-first author. Could you share the scientific findings of this research?
Zhou Chengran: The evolution of penguins is a story full of fascinating details. I'll share two interesting discoveries.
First, penguins need excellent vision to hunt at certain diving depths. We found that some light-sensitive genes in penguins' visual systems have mutated, enhancing their ability to see in low-light conditions. This allows them to perceive blue and ultraviolet light, giving them great vision underwater.
Second, the hemoglobin and myoglobin in penguins differ significantly from those in other birds, enabling them to utilize oxygen in their blood more efficiently and extend their dive times. For example, emperor penguins can dive to depths of around 500 meters, efficiently using the limited oxygen in their bodies. This reveals the secrets behind penguins' exceptional diving abilities.
Overcoming Challenges and Leveraging International Collaboration
Q: Did you encounter any difficulties during your research, and how did you overcome them?
Liu Shiping: The major challenge was how to accurately obtain individual genomic information with low-depth sequencing. We collaborated with international partners to design algorithms, leveraging spectral and statistical methods to achieve this.
During the paper submission phase, an interesting event occurred. After releasing our polar bear genome data on GigaScience, a foreign researcher analyzed our data and published a paper in Science. Although we felt pressured, we realized that polar bears are unique, and many research aspects remained unexplored. We continued our in-depth research and eventually achieved significant results.
Zhou Chengran: Acquiring samples for penguin genome research was challenging, involving geographical, cultural, technical, and other issues. The key to overcoming these obstacles was international collaboration. Through the BGI co-initiated Bird 10,000 Genomes (B10K) Project, we formed a large cooperative alliance with researchers from multiple countries. This collaboration built trust with research teams worldwide, gradually overcoming geographical and cultural barriers, and leveraging collective strengths to study penguins' histories across different regions.