Oil palm, jatropha genome work moves ahead

La Jolla, Calif.-based Synthetic Genomics announced today that its research on oil palm genomes for biofuel feedstocks has moved forward, with the company's venture with Malaysia's Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology completing a first draft assembly and annotation of the oil palm genome.

Synthetic Genomics said they have also made progress in sequencing and analyzing the jatropha genome.

The projects represent the first stages of research undertaken through a joint venture between Synthetic Genomics and the Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology announced last July aimed at developing more high-yielding and disease-resistant plant feedstocks.

"The genome sequences of these highly productive oilseed crops will enable the in-depth understanding of genes encoding for plant yield and health and foster the development of improved plant varieties," said J. Craig Venter, founder and CEO of Synthetic Genomics.

"We are also characterizing the important microbes living in the environments around these plants," he said. "Our goal is to harness this knowledge to produce improved feedstocks, renewable fuels, biofertilizers, and disease-control solutions."

The two companies said they are using environmental genomic techniques to sequence and analyze the root, soil and leaf microbial communities surrounding the oil palm and jatropha plants.

"Unlocking the knowledge encoded in the genomes could further increase our understanding of these important crops which could lead to substantially improved oil yield," said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, chief executive of Asiatic Development Berhad.

The Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology is a wholly owned subsidiary of Asiatic Development Berhad, an oil palm plantation company and a member of the Genting Group.

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