Another first for rubber genomics
Professor Tan Sri Dato' Dzulkifli Abdul Razak
Learning Curve: Perspective
New Sunday Times - 17-02-2013
MILESTONE: The first draft genome sequence of the Hevea brasiliensis is now available in the public domain
IN October 2009, Malaysia made history when the Centre For Chemical Biology at Universiti Sains Malaysia successfully decoded the rubber tree genome, an accomplishment that gave the country added visibility, not just as one of the biggest producers of rubber.
The centre was among a few involved in cutting edge research in the area.
Higher Education Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin hailed this as a milestone that could lead to many more innovative outcomes that contribute to the billion-dollar natural rubber industry.
After all, it was the first time the draft of the two billion base genome of the rubber tree, Hevea brasiliensis, was decoded through its chemical biology discovery platform.
The research team of local and international scientists that made this possible was led by Professor Maqsudul Alam from University Of Hawaii.
He has been credited with sequencing the genomes of papaya and jute, and several microbial genomes and as well as a species of fungus.
He is now Chair, Department Of Microbiology, and Director Of Advance Studies For Genomics, Proteomics and Bioinformatics at the university.
Among the potential use of the genome information is enabling researchers to understand genetic characteristics of different breeds of rubber trees well in advance compared to current conventional techniques.
As an example, in the development of rubber trees for the timber or wood industry, determination of the girth of a plant may take 10 to 12 years.
With this genome information, detection of varieties which produce large girths could be performed as early as a year or less.
This will empower Malaysia to remain at the forefront of the global rubber industry, competing against producers such as Indonesia, Thailand, and India; or other Science and Technology giants such as Japan and China.
Currently, Asia accounts for more than 93 per cent of the global supply of rubber, giving rise to intense regional competition.
Fast forward to this month, and more than 10 patents later, another highlight is in the making.
The first draft genome sequence of the Hevea brasiliensis is now published in an esteemed international journal (www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2164/14/75/abstract), another first for Malaysia.
Reportedly, gene prediction shows 68,955 gene models, of which about 12.7 per cent is unique.
About 78 per cent of the genome were identified as repetitive DNA.
The draft also outlines the genomes associated with rubber biosynthesis, rubber wood formation, disease resistance to rubber blight and allergenicity, which is a global medical concern as many who are repeatedly exposed to latex-containing products have reactions to certain proteins.
Among others, the information in the paper -- particularly when compared with other tree genome sequences -- will lead to an increase in latex production yield that. in turn, can assist in improving the quality of lives of many rubber tappers, including smallholders.
Couple this with the proposed Rubber City project in the Kedah-Thai border to develop a large-scale rubber and rubber-based industry as announced late last year, the potential is enormous.
This venture is a joint plan led by former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad on the Malaysian front.
This includes making Malaysia a potential natural rubber tree biotechnological research hub -- initially for Asia -- backed by a competently trained younger generation of researchers skilled in various disciplines such as genomics, chemical biology and bioinformatics. Many of them are proud joint authors of the said publication.
Given that Malaysia has some of the major industrial rubber companies pursuing active research and development activities, this new landmark is another scientific arsenal that will help to upscale the findings into a commercial golden goose.
But only if we are quick at seizing the opportunity at hand now that the published genome sequence is available in the public domain.
The competitors will be among the first to leverage the recent findings to close the gap and take a commanding lead in the area.
Of most urgency is mobilising the available talent that have been nurtured over the past four years to take rubber genomic work into greater depth while expanding it into a national high-impact, cutting edge programme.
Otherwise, the talent will be highly sought after by the competitors as is the case currently.
Kudos to those with the pioneering courage to once again put Malaysia on the map as a sophisticated natural (not just synthetic) rubber-producing nation with an eye on the future.
- The writer is the vice-chancellor of the Albukhary International University