MOgene, LC Participates in Consortium That Sequenced Three Oil Palm Genomes

ST. LOUIS--(Business Wire)--
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.

MOgene, LC
Ralph Quatrano, Ph.D., 314-824-1931
rquatrano@gmail.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009