Bangladesh gets international recognition for disclosing genome sequence of jute – India Today

Bangladeshi scientists' work disclosing the genome sequence of jute has earned them international recognition. Confirming that the genome sequence of jute has been recognised by the US, agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury said, "Three genome codes of jute now belong to Bangladesh".

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Matia told the parliament that US agency National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) has given the numbers for the codes of three genome sequences.

The minister made the statement in a thanksgiving motion on the president's address to Parliament.

She also informed that the outcome of the Bangladeshi scientists' research was published in the Nature Plants journal on January 30.

Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina has always encouraged jute research which led to the groundbreaking success.

Late professor Dr Maqsudul Alam and his team discovered the genome sequence of 'Tosha' jute in June 2010. The premier announced the news in the Parliament on June 16, 2010.

In August 2013, Sheikh Hasina, in the presence of Dr Maqsudul, announced that the team has sequenced the DNA of the traditional variety of jute known as 'Tosha'.

Their conquest continued as the team sequenced the DNA make-up of a fungus (Macrophomina Phaseolina) which reduces yield time of more than 500 species of crops including jute, tobacco, cotton, maize, soybean and sunflower in the following years.

A genome is an organism's complete set of DNA, including all its genes which is responsible for the characteristics of an organism. Each genome contains all the information needed to build and maintain that organism.

The decoding allowed Bangladesh to own all the genetic documents of this natural fibre.

According to experts, this sequencing will help improve the length and quality of the fiber. It will also help develop high yielding variety of the crop, including colour, strength, saline soil-and pest-resistant jute varieties.

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