R&D World: 10x Genomics CTO Highlights Partnership With CZI on Billion Cells Project

Back in 2017, we made a million-cell dataset to showcase how scalable the technologies were, and people were like ‘Oh my God, a million cells, that’s crazy,’” 10x Genomics chief technology officer Michael Schnall-Levi recalls. “Now a billion cells is not just theoretical; it’s feasible and not outlandishly expensive.”

In conversation with R&D World, he discusses the shift from million to billion-cell studies and the impact of AI on scientific workflows, highlighting CZI’s launch of its Billion Cells Project using 10x’s Chromium GEM-X technology alongside Ultima Genomics’ UG 100 sequencing platform to generate AI-ready data to train models and advance researchers’ understanding of cellular behavior and gene function. Launched in February, the Billion Cells Project is an important step toward CZI’s goal of building an AI-based virtual cell model to predict and understand cell behavior.

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About the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
The Chan Zuckerberg Initiative was founded in 2015 to help solve some of society’s toughest challenges — from eradicating disease and improving education, to addressing the needs of our local communities. Our mission is to build a better future for everyone. For more information, please visit chanzuckerberg.com.