The unveiling ceremony of the pathogenic microorganism detection (gene sequencing) laboratory of the Conghua district's center of disease control and prevention (CDC) was held on July 22. 

Covering about 250 square meters, the gene sequencing lab is the first such lab at district level launched in Guangzhou, the capital city of South China's Guangdong province. 

It is divided into five sections based on functions of reagent preparation, specimen preparation, gene amplification, product analysis and gene sequencing. It is designed and constructed in strict accordance with national standards, adopts a full delivery and full drainage system, and equips each area with independent buffering space. 

The lab is part of Conghua CDC's efforts in standardization construction, one of the district government's top 10 things in improving people's livelihoods. A total of 14 million yuan ($2.15 million) was invested, 9 million of which were spent in equipment purchasing during the standardization construction, with the other 5 million devoted to constructing the gene sequencing lab and rebuilding the digitalized sample acceptance hall. 

The standardization project kicked off on March 7 and is now completed. All equipment has been tested and is in full operation. The installation of the lab testing information system is also finished and will be fully operational by the end of July.

The launch of the gene sequencing lab is expected to enhance the district's nucleic acid testing capability, as well as its ability to respond to public health emergencies.