At present, the starting material for sequencing is a mixed-DNA sample from a mass of cells, which often can’t meet the requirements of cancer genomics, forensic medicine and genetic imprinting study, etc. BGI provides an innovative and proprietary approach that utilizes whole genome amplification and next generation sequencing to obtain sequence data at the level of single-cell genomes. It can be applied to discover genetic information in single cells, and allows for the differentiation of those mutations that coincide with the development of cancerous cells and those that spur the cancer’s progression. BGI has sequenced hundreds of cells and the results from applying the new single-cell sequencing method to identify the genetic characteristics of essential thrombocythemia and clear cell renal cell carcinoma have recently been published in Cell journal. BGI is using the technique to study five cancer types: gastric, colon, renal, and two types of bladder cancer. The ongoing single cell sequencing projects contain both internal projects and collaborative research projects with groups at Stanford University and academic institutions in the UK.