On March 22, the Wuhan Session of the 20th International Conference on Genomics (ICG-20 Wuhan) opened in the Donghu New Technology Development Zone (Optics Valley), Wuhan, Hebei Province, China. Themed “Omics and AI in Biodiversity,” the conference drew over a hundred scientists, experts, and industry leaders from across the globe to discuss the applications and future directions of omics and artificial intelligence in biodiversity conservation.
Centered on cutting-edge academic topics such as “Cutting-edge Omics Technologies,” “Evolution, Development and Biodiversity,” “Conservation of Endangered Species,” “Crop Improvement and Germplasm Innovation,” “Extreme Life in Extreme Environments,” “Microbial Resources Mining and Utilization,” and “Environmental Ecological Monitoring,” the attending experts and scholars presented dozens of academic reports. The conference also highlighted the latest advancements in major international scientific initiatives like the “Earth BioGenome Project,” aiming to leverage frontier technologies to enhance biological resource exploration and utilization.
Heritage and Innovation: Painting a New Future for Genomics
Huanming Yang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Co-founder and Member of the Board of Directors of BGI Group, Director-General of BGI, delivered the opening address as the Chair of the conference’s Academic Committee. He reviewed the rapid progress of omics technologies and artificial intelligence, underscoring the pivotal role of the International Conference on Genomics in advancing global genomics research, application, and collaboration. He emphasized that this conference would uphold the Human Genome Project’s spirit of “Owned by All, Done by All, Shared by All,” striving to foster global scientific collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Huanming Yang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Co-founder and Member of the Board of Directors of BGI Group, Director-General of BGI
Weicai Yang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Deputy Director of Yazhou Bay National Laboratory, traced the development of genetics in China - from the arduous introduction of classical genetics, to catching up during the Human Genome Project, to today’s breakthroughs in synthetic biology and single-cell omics. He noted that foundational genetic research is increasingly translating into practical solutions for understanding life, enhancing ecosystems, and serving humanity. He encouraged the conference to serve as a catalyst for deepening international cooperation and establishing a fair, inclusive data-sharing framework.
Weicai Yang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Deputy Director of Yazhou Bay National Laboratory
Co-hosting the event, the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF) was represented by its Chief Scientist, Xiaodong Su, Professor at Peking University’s College of Life Sciences. Su expressed hope that the conference would mark the start of illuminating the global path to biodiversity conservation with omics, uniting technological capabilities and public commitment to build a green force for our planet.
Xiaodong Su, Chief Scientist of China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF), Professor at Peking University’s College of Life Sciences
As a cornerstone of life sciences and biotechnology, genomics underpins advancements in bioengineering. Hongxiang Zhang, Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology, stated in his address that the society is dedicated to advancing bioengineering and related fields while promoting academic exchange and collaboration. He remarked, “Facing numerous challenges in this domain, we must further enhance cooperation with international peers, prioritize talent cultivation, and drive technological innovation.”
Hongxiang Zhang, Secretary-General of the Chinese Society of Biotechnology
John E. Scanlon AO, former Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and Kent Nnadozie, Secretary-General of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture under the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, outlined the critical roles of multi-omics and AI in biodiversity conservation and agricultural resource applications, expressing optimism for future progress and outcomes.
John E. Scanlon AO, former Secretary-General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Kent Nnadozie, Secretary-General of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture under the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization
Xiaolin Wang from government of Wuhan’s East Lake High-Tech Development Zone, welcomed domestic and international guests. He highlighted that Hubei Province and Wuhan City have designated the life health industry as a priority for breakthrough development. He expressed hope that the conference would accelerate the implementation of major international scientific programs in Optics Valley, contributing its wisdom to significant research addressing humanity’s future.
Xiaolin Wang from government of Wuhan’s East Lake High-Tech Development Zone
Unraveling the Mysteries of Biological Evolution and Adaptation in the Omics Era
In the omics era, scientists are decoding the mysteries of biological evolution and adaptation with unprecedented precision and breadth. Academician Weicai Yang delivered a keynote speech titled “The Mechanisms of Sperm Transfer and Fertilization in Angiosperms,” exploring the molecular genetics of angiosperm reproductive development. He detailed his team’s findings, including mechanisms of sperm delivery, pollen tube guidance, and gamete interactions in angiosperms, which significantly contribute to plant reproductive biology and agricultural breeding while offering valuable insights for related research and applications.
Fuwen Wei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of Jiangxi Agricultural University, delved into the vital role of epigenetic factors in species evolution and biodiversity conservation during his presentation. Sharing outcomes from mammalian epigenetic research, he revealed how epigenetic mechanisms drive phenotypic variation and species adaptation to environmental changes. Proposing new sub-disciplines - evolutionary epigenomics and conservation epigenomics - he offered fresh perspectives and theoretical foundations for a comprehensive evolutionary biology framework and biodiversity conservation.
Fuwen Wei, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of Jiangxi Agricultural University
Arthur Georges, Academician of the Australian Academy of Sciences and Distinguished Professor at the University of Canberra, presented a speech titled “A Glimpse into the Future: Omics Provides Insight into Rapid Evolution Under Environmental Change.” He examined the application of omics technologies in conservation biology and biological responses to environmental shifts, using examples like sex reversal in bearded dragons to illustrate how environmental factors trigger adaptive genetic changes and how omics aids in understanding these complex evolutionary processes.
Arthur Georges, Academician of the Australian Academy of Sciences and Distinguished Professor at the University of Canberra
Frontier Omics and Artificial Intelligence Technologies in Development and Biodiversity
The rapid rise of bioinformatics and AI is revolutionizing life sciences research paradigms. Xun Xu, Director of State Key Laboratory of Genome and Multi-omics Technologies, Executive Director of BGI Group and Director of BGI-Research; Qing Zhou, Professor at Zhejiang University; Xuemei Zhou, Associate Professor at South-Central Minzu University’s School of Life Sciences; Liang Chen, Senior Researcher and Chief Scientist of Cell Omics at BGI-Research; and Bai Yinqi, Senior Researcher and Chief Scientist of Bioinformatics at BGI-Research, shared cutting-edge technological insights with attendees.
Qing Zhou, Professor at Zhejiang University
Xuemei Zhou, Associate Professor at South-Central Minzu University’s School of Life Sciences
Bai Yinqi, Senior Researcher and Chief Scientist of Bioinformatics at BGI-Research
Xun Xu reviewed advancements in genomics, cell omics, and spatiotemporal omics, highlighting BGI-Research’s achievements in developing, applying, and sharing omics and AI technologies, including new models and tools under development. He explored their innovative applications in biodiversity research, providing new approaches and ideas for conservation and life sciences advancement.
Xun Xu, Director of State Key Laboratory of Genome and Multi-omics Technologies, Executive Director of BGI Group and Director of BGI-Research
New technologies yield breakthroughs. Liang Chen presented the team’s newly developed single-cell full-length transcriptome sequencing technology, scCyclone-SEQ, and recent progress in studying transcriptomic heterogeneity during early zebrafish embryonic development. This research dissected dynamic transcriptomic changes in early zebrafish embryos, revealing transcript diversity and regulatory mechanisms across developmental stages, demonstrating the technology’s potential in full-length transcriptome research and offering critical technical support, data resources, and theoretical backing for related fields.
Liang Chen, Senior Researcher and Chief Scientist of Cell Omics at BGI-Research
Genome Evolution and Biodiversity
Genomic evolution drives biodiversity formation and maintenance. Wen Wang, Professor at Northwestern Polytechnical University’s School of Ecological Environment; Shunping He, Professor at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Jianchu Xu, Professor at the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Michael Melkonian, Senior Scientist at Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research; and Wensui Luo, Professor at Northwest A&F University’s Institute of Future Agriculture, shared insights on genome evolution and biodiversity.
Jianchu Xu, Professor at the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Michael Melkonian, Senior Scientist at Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research
Wensui Luo, Professor at Northwest A&F University’s Institute of Future Agriculture
Focusing on decoding the genetic basis of remarkable animal traits using omics tools, Professor Wen Wang explored how evolutionary genomics unravels the genetic foundations of key traits. He shared his team’s findings on ruminant trait evolution, rapid antler regeneration in deer, and mammalian organ regeneration, opening a window into animal trait evolution mysteries and providing novel perspectives for biomedical and animal husbandry researchers.
Wen Wang, Professor at Northwestern Polytechnical University’s School of Ecological Environment
Professor Shunping He examined vertebrate adaptive evolution across diverse environments, analyzing molecular mechanisms behind phenotypic plasticity and trait stability. He noted that fish phylogenetics and genomics reveal adaptive strategies and evolutionary pathways in response to environmental changes, offering significant insights into biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as valuable theoretical and data support for biomedical and conservation biology research.
Shunping He, Professor at the Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Exploring Omics and AI Applications in Biodiversity Conservation
Biodiversity conservation is a pressing global concern. Qingfeng Wang, Director of the Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Shanlin Liu, Professor at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences; Ernesto Gomez, MYP, IGCSE Science teacher at ISA Wuhan School; Alice Hughes, Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong’s School of Biological Sciences; Sara Platto, Professor at Jianghan University’s College of Life Sciences; and Huizhong Fan, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, showcased the vast potential of omics and AI in this field.
Shanlin Liu, Professor at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Ernesto Gomez, MYP, IGCSE Science teacher at ISA Wuhan School
Alice Hughes, Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong’s School of Biological Sciences
Sara Platto, Professor at Jianghan University’s College of Life Sciences
Huizhong Fan, Assistant Professor at the Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Southeast Africa’s unique geography and climate have fostered rich plant diversity, yet this natural treasure faces numerous threats. Qingfeng Wang shared his team’s latest findings, systematically elucidating the evolutionary history of the globally significant endangered plant group - baobabs (Adansonia) - and revealing the formation mechanisms and distribution patterns of plant diversity in Southeast Africa. This work provides key insights into regional plant diversity maintenance and scientific solutions for ecological conservation in global biodiversity hotspots.
Qingfeng Wang, Director of the Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences
The conference continues today. Experts including Jianfang Gui, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at the Institute of Hydrobiology of Chinese Academy of Sciences; Qifa Zhang, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Professor at Huazhong Agricultural University’s College of Life Science and Technology; Harris Lewin, Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and Research Professor at Arizona State University; and James Crabbe, Professor, Supernumerary Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford University, will further discuss topics such as “Conservation of Endangered Species,” “Crop Improvement and Germplasm Innovation,” “Extreme Life in Extreme Environments,” “Microbial Genetic Resource Exploration and Utilization,” and “Environmental Ecological Monitoring.”
The Wuhan Session of the 20th International Conference on Genomics.
This conference is not only an academic celebration but also a crucial opportunity for global scientists to explore life’s mysteries and propel technological progress together. As the organizer, BGI Group looks forward to enhancing global multi-omics research collaboration through this event, jointly ushering in a new era of integrated development in multi-omics and artificial intelligence.