On 26 April 2019, the Chinese herbal medicine DNA barcode high-throughput sequencing integrated machine, jointly developed by the Institute of Chinese Medicine of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (Chinese Medicine Research Institute) and MGI Technology Co., Ltd., completed its acceptance review in Beijing and was officially released. HMBI-G30 is the world’s first intelligent instrument designed to sequence and identify Chinese herbal medicine genes, providing accurate, fast, and stable sample identification, and bringing Chinese herbal medicine into the era of standardized intelligence. Professor Chen Shilin, Director of the Institute of Chinese Medicine, MGI CEO Mu Feng, Professor Qian Zhongzhi of the National Pharmacopoeia Commission, and other experts attended the review.
Advancing Chinese Herbal Medicine Identification
The diversity of Chinese herbal medicines and challenges in authenticating them have historically constrained international market development. Accurate identification of toxic or mislabelled materials has become a global priority. To address these challenges, MGI and the Chinese Medicine Research Institute developed a DNA barcode high-throughput sequencing machine, combining the Chinese herbal medicine DNA barcode species identification system with MGI’s sequencing platform.
HMBI-G30 solves key technical challenges:
High-throughput read length through fragmentation sequencing and alignment splicing
Crosstalk reduction via DNBSEQ™ technology
One-stop sequence processing from raw data to species identification
Base ratio display for more precise sequencing information
The instrument also achieves independent intellectual property rights and hardware localisation, eliminating reliance on foreign equipment for Chinese herbal medicine genetic identification.
Applications Across the Industry
HMBI-G30 can be applied in multiple domains:
Gene-assisted breeding: identifying seed and seedling varieties to ensure planting accuracy
Clinical medicine: guiding accurate diagnosis and treatment through species identification
Circulation supervision: enabling digital monitoring of herbal medicine distribution, supporting modernization and internationalization of regulations
This machine represents the first non-human consumer application for DNA sequencing technology in herbal medicine.
Expert Review and Industry Recognition
The instrument was evaluated by a panel of leading experts, including Professor Qian Zhongzhi, Professor Tao Zulai, Professor Lu Aiping, Professor Luo Guoan, and Professor Zhang Qiang. Experts praised HMBI-G30 for overcoming limitations of previous sequencing technologies, simplifying bioinformatics workflows, and achieving rapid, precise, and automated identification of herbal samples.
Professor Qian noted that the instrument integrates previously modular equipment into a unified workstation, enhancing regulatory inspection and saving time. Professor Zhang highlighted its creativity and technical breakthroughs, while Professor Luo emphasised its global leadership potential and replicable technology.
Commitment to Independent Innovation
In his summary, MGI CEO Mu Feng stated that the tools and techniques for interpreting traditional Chinese medicine should be domestically controlled, establishing a standard for independent technology in Chinese herbal medicine. MGI is committed to supporting scientific research, clinical applications, and industrial development, promoting the growth of the Chinese herbal medicine industry.
HMBI-G30 marks a milestone in independent intellectual property, combining hardware and software to fully localize medicinal plant molecular identification and remove reliance on external sources. It sets a new standard for Chinese herbal medicine identification, transitioning from manual and low-throughput methods to intelligent, high-precision, and high-throughput solutions.
