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Qatar Foundation researchers sequence date
palm genome
2009-04-14
 Following
a long research process, scientists at Weill Cornell Medical College
in Qatar managed to sequence the genome of date palm, revealing its
genetic secrets.
Joel Malek, director of the Genomics Laboratory at WCMC-Q commented:
“We have generated a draft DNA sequence and initial assembly of the
date palm using the most advanced technology.” This breakthrough
will have a significant impact on the industry because it gives
valuable clues to researchers working to improve fruit yield and
quality while remaining immune from disease.
Commenting on this breakthrough, Dr Khaled Machaca, associate dean
for basic science research said: “It clearly demonstrates the
feasibility and success of the most advanced genomics technologies
in Qatar and represents a milestone towards establishing Qatar and
Weill Cornell as a regional research center of excellence. In
addition, this achievement by the WCMC-Q research team holds great
promise for the application of the genomics technology to a better
understanding of biomedical problems.”
The team that worked on this project consisted of a combination of
recent graduates and lab technicians under the supervision of
experienced researchers. Describing his research team, Joel Malek
added, “The mean age of the team is 23, so it’s a very young
team...it is exciting to see that there is the possibility of
pulling off these large very complex research projects with local
talent.”
The success of this project is part of Qatar Foundation’s
overarching plan to build the critical mass necessary to nurture a
research culture locally, as the country transforms into a
knowledge-based society.
Dr Abdelali Haoudi, Vice President – Research at Qatar Foundation
states: “In order to be competitive and successful, we have to
create an attractive research environment. One component of which is
to have around you well-trained and skilled scientists.” He
emphasized that, “junior scientists and students are really excited
about contributing to this endeavor.”
Looking into the future, Qatar Foundation aims to become an
international hub for scientific research as Dr Haoudi states: “In
the medium and long-term we will lead much larger-scale projects and
we will develop research centers of excellence in many different
areas like stem cells, diabetes and nanotechnology.” Ultimately the
objective is to “create a niche where Qatar can be seen as a
contributor to research world-wide and to position Qatar as a magnet
for research and development on an international level.”
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