In a landmark achievement a group of our own scientists led by Professor Dr Maqsudul Alam have decoded the genome sequence of local variety of jute. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina revealed this through a press conference at Ganobhaban on Sunday. “Today, I am proud to announce that our scientists have revealed the genome sequence of a local variety of jute,” the prime minister said recalling that earlier scientists had successfully decoded the genome sequence of ‘Tossa’ (high-yielding variety) jute and a devastating crop-killer fungal.
“Complete information about the genome sequence of jute is in our hand,” she added.
Terming the revelation as a great success of local scientists, the Prime Minister said, “Our constant success in the research of genome sequence has placed Bangladesh in a dignified position on the world stage.”
Sheikh Hasina extended her heartfelt thanks to Professor Maqsud and his team members for their relentless stride for successful revelation of the genome sequence.
Professor Maqsud was also on the dais beside the prime minister.
Addressing the briefing Prof Maqsud said, none studying jute in any part of the world can ignore our achievements.
“The keys to all its mysteries are in our hands,” he said.
Prof Maqsud earlier led the team that discovered the genome sequence for ‘Tosha’ jute in June, 2010.
Using the information of the genome sequence, the scientists are constantly working for inventing different variety of jute which would be tolerant to natural adversities and pests, she said.
The genome sequence helps identification of genes responsible for an organism’s characteristics, allowing scientists to modify the genes to either reduce or enhance features, according to desirability. Agriculture Minister Matia Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Dr Dipu Moni and Prof Maqsudul Alam also spoke on the occasion.
Awami League presidium member Fazlul Karim Selim, LGRD and Cooperatives Minister Syed Ashraful Islam, Minister for Environment and Forests Dr Hasan Mahmud, Civil Aviation Minister Faruk Khan, PM’s media advisor Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and State Minister for LGRD and Cooperatives Jahangir Kabir Nanak, among others, were present.
UNB?adds: He invited reporters to visit the research centre at 10am on Monday and witness for themselves the overall progress of the research.
Dr Alam and his team shot to global fame after they discovered the genome sequence for ‘Tosha’ jute in June, 2010.
Experts say this gene sequencing would help improve the fibre length and quality, including colours and strength; and develop high yielding, saline soil-and pest-tolerant jute varieties through genetic engineering.
A genome is all of a living thing’s genetic material and it is the entire set of hereditary instructions for building, running, maintaining an organism, and passing life on to the next generation.
Genome sequencing is a laboratory process that determines the complete DNA sequence of an organism’s genome at a single time. The process is often compared to “decoding”, but a sequence is still very much in code.
-With The Independent input
