By ResearchSEA
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Press Release - Penang, 28 October - The Centre for
Chemical Biology, Universiti Sains Malaysia had successfully
decoded the rubber tree genome. This accomplishment could
potentially place Malaysia as the biggest producer of
rubber.
 |
| Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin (second from right) and
Prof. Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli (leftmost), Dr. Wan Rahaman and
CCB@USM team holding the rubber tree after the press conference
today. |
| Copyright : Universiti Sains Malaysia |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA UNVEILS PLANT GENOME OF BILLION-DOLLAR
INDUSTRY
PENANG 28 October - The Centre for Chemical Biology, Universiti
Sains Malaysia had successfully decoded the rubber tree genome.
This accomplishment could potentially place Malaysia as the biggest
producer of rubber.
The Minister of Higher Education Dato’ Seri Mohamed Khaled
Nordin announced at CCB@USM yesterday that this major achievement
could lead to many end products and contribute to the billion
dollar rubber industry.
Khaled stated that CCB@USM had successfully decoded the draft of
the 2 billion base genome of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis
through its chemical biology discovery platform.
“This project is a result of an international collaboration
led by CCB@USM that forms an excellent foundation for major
contributions to society at the bottom billion,” he said
during the press conference.
Also present were the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Sains Malaysia
Prof. Tan Sri Dato’ Dzulkifli Abdul Razak, the Chief
Executive Officer of CCB@USM, Prof Maqsudul Alam, and the Chief
Operating Officer of Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Dr. Wan
Abdul Rahman Wan Yaacob.
Khaled added that the most significant benefit of this finding was
that it will help the nation in developing a high quality breed of
rubber tree with resistance to diseases such as South American Leaf
Blight and white root.
He also explained that Malaysia could potentially be the hub for
rubber tree biotechnological research in Asia and at the same time
train competent younger generation of scientists skilled in various
disciplines such as genomics, molecular biology, and
bioinformatics.
The Deputy Director (Research) of CCB@USM, Prof Nazalan Najimudin,
expressed that this effort will empower the nation (Malaysia) to
remain as the leader in rubber research and be at the forefront in
the global rubber industry. This will enhance Malaysia’s
competitiveness in rubber production. Malaysia is currently the
world's fourth biggest producer, after Indonesia, Thailand, and
India.
“The genome information will enable researchers to understand
genetic characteristics of different breeds of rubber trees well in
advance compared to conventional breeding techniques that are
currently being used. As an example, for the development of the
rubber tree for the timber or wood industry, determination of the
girth of a rubber tree may take 10 to 12 years. With this genome
information, we may be able to detect varieties that are able to
produce large girths as early as a year or less.”
“This is one obvious benefit that we could obtain from this
rubber tree genome. There are many other biotechnological studies
which deal with pharmaceuticals, health, and others that can be
performed.”
Nazalan also explained that institutions of higher learning
contribute to innovations that could give high benefits to the
national economy.
“This study relies upon the belief that for us to advance and
obtain good returns involving the rubber tree, we must have the
fundamental knowledge and the basic information on the rubber tree
itself.”
“Filing of intellectual property claims requires one to
possess information or knowledge which is not yet released to the
public domain. Therefore, this genome sequencing project allows us
to discover key information and protect them before others can
exploit and make claims. “
He reiterated that furniture from rubberwood has proven popular and
is an important export for Malaysia. The trait that can be
developed and improved is in the properties of rubberwood and the
genome information will move this area of plant breeding very
fast.
For further enquiry, please contact:
PROFESSOR NAZALAN NAJIMUDIN
DEPUTY DIRECTOR (RESEARCH)
CENTRE FOR CHEMICAL BIOLOGY (CCB@USM)
UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
11800 PENANG
MALAYSIA
Email: nazalan@usm.my
Phone: +60 12 598 5600
ABOUT CENTRE FOR CHEMICAL BIOLOGY, UNIVERSITI SAINS MALAYSIA
CCB@USM, located in the Science and Arts Innovation Space at
Universiti Sains Malaysia (sains@usm), is a Chemical Biology
Research Centre focused on understanding biological systems and
inspiring genome-based discoveries that provide economic and social
benefits to those at the bottom of the global pyramid. CCB@USM has
strategically positioned itself as the conduit for transforming
fundamental academic research into applied research/development
initiatives of significant interest and benefit to private
enterprise. The formation of CCB@USM was endorsed by the USM Senate
on 1 July 2008 and officially approved by the Ministry of Higher
Education (MoHE) on 3 February 2009.
CCB@USM Mission
To develop a leading platform for fundamental research in chemical
biology.
To generate a creative, conducive, innovative, and flexible
transdisciplinary international research culture.
To develop international translational young generation of
scientists with emphasis in local talent (postgraduate and
postdoctoral researchers).
To obtain and transfer technology through smart partnership.
CCB@USM Research
Our Motto: Driving Inspirations into Reality through first-rate
fundamental research that transforms higher education for a
sustainable tomorrow.
Our focus is on 3 major research themes:
• Molecular bioengineering and synthetic biology
• Natural product-based drug discovery
• Structural and computational biology
CCB@USM’s Young Generation of Scientists
• 4 Undergraduate students
• 24 MSc students
• 2 PhD students
• 3 Post-doctoral researchers
CCB@USM’s International Collaborations
• United States
• South Africa
• New Zealand
• Vietnam
• Japan
• India
• Czech Republic
• Spain
• France |
SOURCE