consisting of a genetic and genomic clinic, ten core laboratories, a genetic database of major diseases in the Chinese population and a program of continuing medical education. (See the Infrastructure) It is heavily supported by the 985 projects that are part of the Higher Education Improvement Project, launched by the Ministry of Education in China.

The mission of ZAC-GGM is to establish a first-class platform that serves as a bridge between China and many developed countries to promote genetics and genomics in research, education and clinical medicine. To accomplish the mission, three strategic approaches are being carried out:

1. Academic Researches.  ZAC-GGM focuses on advancing the knowledge of genetics in health and disease. The researchers of the center take advantage of the unique populations in China, the broad spectrum of disease and rich genetic materials. They focus on the discovery of novel genetic disorders with Mendelian inheritance and common disease, the identification of the disease causing genes and the interaction between genes and environment, particularly in the areas of cardiovascular disease, mitochondrial disease and eye disease.

2. Clinical Services.  The genetics/genomics based approach is rarely used in the practice of medicine in China. ZAC-GGM strives to fill the gap by providing a comprehensive genetic evaluation including genetic counseling and genetic testing about many diseases (if necessary). Useful information is collected and interpreted by scientists and physicians for decision-making in disease prevention and management which greatly improves the lives of patients.

3. Education and Trainings.  While the rapidly advanced knowledge of genetics and genomics sparks the transformation of the concepts and approaches of medicine, it poses a major challenge in the meantime: How to educate practicing clinicians, scientists, medical students, health care professionals and the general public to make them accommodate this revolution? ZAC-GGM takes the leadership in China to provide education on the basic understandings of genetics and genomics, their medical and laboratory applications as well as their ethical, legal and social implications. Several symposia, seminars and short courses have been and will be held every year. And thousands of health providers and investigators have benefited from them.

Focused on these strategic approaches mentioned above, ZAC-GGM does and will do its best to connect biomedical scientists in China and abroad. Some connections with world-renowned universities and institutions have already been established, for example, with the Harvard Medical School-Partners Healthcare Center for Genetics and Genomics (HPCGG), the University of Washington, the University of Rochester, the University of California, Irvine, Cold Spring Harbor, the GENDIA and etc. In China, it also works closely with the Chinese Medical Association, the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Military Academy of Medical Sciences, the Chinese CDC and etc. Such connections not only bring many collaborative research opportunities based on the common interests, but also help to strengthen the academic exchange regarding to the cutting-edge investigation of genetic and genomic medicine