BGI, the world’s largest genomic institute, and the University of California, Davis have finalized plans to establish a state-of-the-art DNA sequencing facility in Sacramento to support research in human and animal health, food safety, biology, and the environment.

The collaboration “will change the landscape of genomic sciences in California and the Western states,” the partners said, eventually creating a 10,000 square foot joint genome center on the university’s health system campus in Sacramento.

“Having access to world-class genomic sequencing and bioinformatics capabilities on campus will enable UC Davis faculty to attack bigger and more ambitious problems, as well as to compete for bigger grants and projects by expanding cooperation and collaboration teams in agriculture and health,” says Bart Weimer, a professor of population health and reproduction at UC Davis.

UC Davis and BGI will share rights to intellectual property developed by the collaboration, the university says.

The plan, first announced in June, was finalized and announced October 25. The partners will share the cost of refurbishing space to house the center in Sacramento, according to the Sacramento Business Journal, but no further financial details of the arrangement were made available.

China’s government has made BGI’s success a high priority, granting the Beijing-based company a $1.5 billion long-term loan in January 2010 to support its development. In April 2010, the company set up its first U.S. office in Boston. Since then, its BGI Americas division has established partnerships and collaborations with leading academic and government research institutions, as well as global biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies.

In June, BGI and Sydney University agreed to conduct joint research projects, following an agreement BGI inked in May with the Australian National University in Canberra.