ST. LOUIS — MOgene, a member of a consortium co-led by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) and Orion Genomics, today announced the sequencing of three oil palm genomes, two of which originated in Africa and one native to South America. The MOgene 454 Next Gen sequencing capability played a significant role in completing the project.

“This opportunity was our first major contract for DNA sequencing, and we delivered on time and met or exceeded all the criteria set for the sequencing operations,” said Shaukat Rangwala, vice president of research operations at MOgene.

With MOgene’s involvement, the sequencing of the oil palm genome was completed efficiently. The result is an essential step toward improved production of palm oil.

“Knowledge of the genomic sequence of these oil palm varieties enables researchers to understand genetic differences between trees that are, for example, higher yielding or more resistant to disease than usual,” said Datuk Dr. Mohd Basri Wahid, the director general of MPOB. “Our goal in completing the oil palm genome sequence is to dramatically improve oil yields for the production of food, feed and fuel. Having the genome sequence gives us the opportunity to gain deep molecular understanding into the functioning of the oil palm tree, its ability to fight diverse stresses and use nutrients efficiently, while producing optimal yield. This is the beginning of a new era in palm breeding.”

In addition to sequencing and assembling the genomes of the three oil palm varieties, the consortium sequenced the expressed genes from multiple tissue types for all three types of oil palms. Knowledge of these sequences will aid oil palm researchers as they seek to understand the genes responsible for yield, environmental stress or disease resistance.

“Our consortium generated the most comprehensive genetic and transcriptional maps to date of this important crop,” said Nathan Lakey, president and chief executive officer of Orion Genomics.

MOgene specializes in sequencing, gene expression analysis and other molecular tools. Using the 454 Next Gen sequencing capability, MOgene provided a significant portion of the DNA sequences that led to the decoding of the entire oil palm genome.

“We are thrilled with the outcome of the palm oil genome and are ready to begin genome sequencing of other organisms including additional crop plants,” said Dr. Ralph Quatrano, a founder of MOgene, LC. “The future of breeding programs and genetic enhancement of organisms lies in having a complete map of the genome of interest and understanding vital networks in its growth and metabolism. We hope to actively participate in such endeavors.”

MPOB will now be able to leverage comparative genomic information from other crops. The genomic information will prove valuable for Malaysia and other palm-growing regions of the world to sustainably produce biomass and vegetable oil in the quality and quantities required for their diverse applications.

The consortium also included The Genome Center at Washington University, South Korea-based Macrogen, Inc. and Adelaide, Australia-based GeneWorks Pty Ltd.

About MOgene, LC

MOgene, LC is a service company focused primarily on microarray service for gene expression and array-CGH, which includes custom design of arrays, experimental design and detailed bioinformatic analyses. More recently, MOgene expanded services to include use of their new sequencing capability, chip-on-chip, methylation, comparative genomic hybridization, and miRNA. MOgene uses a systems biology approach to understand gene function in the context of biological pathways, to develop assays and biomarkers for molecular diagnostic solutions. For more information, visit http://mogene.com.