A national gene bank built by China’s gene research giant BGI started trial operation on June 18 in the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen. The gene bank has a collection of 10 million samples of biological resources.

Approved by the National Development and Reform Commission in 2011, the facility is dedicated to storing and managing the country’s unique genetic resources and data, as well as biological information.

Photo taken on June 23, 2016 shows BGI sequencers at the national gene bank in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong province.[Photo/Xinhua]

Photo taken on June 23, 2016 shows a refrigerator at the national gene bank in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong province. [Photo/Xinhua]

Photo taken on June 23, 2016 shows BGI sequencers at the national gene bank in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong province.[Photo/Xinhua]

A worker is seen at the national gene bank in Shenzhen, South China’s Guangdong province, June 23, 2016.[Photo/Xinhua]