A marine microbial gene database with over 43100 marine microbial genomes and 2.458 billion gene sequences, jointly constructed by an international joint research team with the participation of the Huada Institute of Life Sciences. There are over 20000 newly discovered species of microorganisms in this database, and about 10000 microorganisms have been discovered for the first time in the deep sea. This was learned by the reporter on September 5th from the joint press conference on the results of the "Thousand Species of Marine Biological Gene Sequencing Project" and the construction and application of the Global Marine Microbial Gene Bank held by the Huada Life Science Research Institute. The relevant research results have been published in the journal Nature on the 4th. The picture shows part of the results published in the journal Nature. The information in the marine microbial gene database has been refreshed. The reporter learned from the Huada Institute of Life Sciences that this joint research team is composed of experts from China's Huada Institute of Life Sciences and countries such as the United Kingdom and Denmark. The research team spent five years analyzing nearly 240TB of publicly available marine microbial metagenomic data to construct a marine microbial gene database with over 43100 marine microbial genomes and 2.458 billion gene sequences. It is reported that this database contains information on marine ecosystems from Antarctica to the Arctic, from nearshore to deep open sea, from surface ocean to tens of thousands of meters deep abyss, and is three times larger than the reported marine genome database Tara Ocean and 60 times larger than the protein sequence library. Among them, more than 20000 microorganisms are newly discovered species, and nearly 10000 microorganisms are first discovered in unique deep-sea habitats. Fan Guangyi, Dean of the Huada Institute of Life Sciences, stated that this study greatly broadens our understanding of the diversity of marine microorganisms such as archaea and bacteria. It analyzes and maps the biogeographic distribution patterns of global marine microbial communities, providing a new perspective on how microorganisms are distributed in different environments and offering new opportunities for research on marine microbial evolution, environmental adaptability, and ecology. The discovery of three highly active novel halophilic PET plastic degrading enzymes poses a global challenge to plastic pollution. The research team has identified three highly active novel halophilic PET plastic degrading enzymes from deep-sea sources in this study. Research has found that the degradation rate of PET film by this degradation enzyme reaches 83% within 3 days, which is 44 times higher than the reported activity of IsPETase plastic degradation enzyme. One gram of this degrading enzyme can degrade 55 500ml plastic mineral water bottles Li Shengying, Vice President of Shandong University Qingdao Campus, said. Experts believe that this plays a positive role in solving the problem of plastic pollution, especially in achieving green, low-carbon and sustainable use of PET plastic in China, reducing the dependence of the plastic manufacturing industry on oil and carbon emissions. Decoding the 'gene treasure' helps breakthrough industries in multiple fields. Fan Guangyi stated that relevant research has revealed the diversity of marine microorganisms and their enormous potential in exploring microbial functions such as new gene editing systems and antimicrobial peptides, polishing the previously unknown 'pearl of the sea' into a 'pearl of the sea'. Gene scissors "is hailed as a revolutionary technology in the field of life sciences. This gene editing technology can break the DNA chain, modify it, and then reconnect it, just like how people edit text when writing. Due to the cutting operation of DNA chains, this technology is vividly referred to as "gene scissors". In this study, the research team identified 36 novel gene editing systems and discovered a new editing system with potential application value, which will bring more choices for the use of gene editing tools in China Fan Guangyi said. Secondly, the research team identified 117 novel antimicrobial peptides and found through biosynthesis and experimental verification that 10 of them have significant antibacterial activity and broad-spectrum antibacterial effects, providing a new solution to the problem of antibiotic resistance. Antimicrobial peptides are peptide substances with antibacterial activity, which have the potential to develop new antibiotics or other drugs in the future Li Shengying said. Based on this achievement, BGI has partnered with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to establish the Hong Kong Polytechnic University BGI Global Deep Sea Resource Genomics and Synthetic Biology Joint Research Center, implementing further research and industrialization. Murat Ellen, an international expert in marine microbial ecology, believes that this project has demonstrated the infinite possibilities of marine microorganisms, "guiding the direction for mining valuable resources related to biotechnology and biomedicine in massive genomic data," said Tom Delmon, an expert in marine microbial diversity research. This study marks a new height in the field of marine metagenomics, highlighting the crucial role of marine microorganisms in improving human well-being and promoting environmental sustainability. These findings not only open up broad prospects for global scientists to explore and utilize the ocean sustainably, but also lay the foundation for future biotechnology and biomedical research Yang Huanming, academician of the CAS Member, said. (New Society)