Functional Biotechnology

Mission

To provide the oil palm industry with innovations for the production of genetically modified oil palm and novel high-value products through research in gene function and transgenic technology.
 

Strategic Research Areas

  1. Isolation of constitutive and tissue-specific promoters
  2. Isolation of key genes involved in oil synthesis and carotenoids pathway
  3. Testing oil palm promoters and genes using model plants
  4. Molecular approaches towards solving major disease and yield problems
  5. Development of routine and improved transformation system
  6. Improving oil quality and novel products using transgenic technology.
  7.  Understanding of oil palm genes associated with the height of regulation and affecting oil quality.

Gene Function Group

Objective

  • To identify, isolate and characterise genes and promoters towards production of oil palm with improved traits and novel high value products.

Transgenic Technology Group 

Objective 

  • To provide oil palm industry with innovations for the production of genetically engineered oil palm with improved oil quality and novel high-value products through research in genetic transformation and its allied sciences.

 

Gene Function LaboratoryTransgenic Technology Laboratory
  

Service being offered are:

  • Arabidopsis thaliana laboratory as a research facility in MPOB. MPOB information Series No. 308.

Services being offered are:

  • Transient gene expression system utilizing oil palm protoplasts. MPOB Information Series No. 687.
  • Services for genetic transformation of plant species. MPOB Information Series No. 483.
  • Construction of transformation vectors for genetically modifying plants. MPOB Information Series No. 309.
Contact Person: Dr. Zubaidah Ismail (bai@mpob.gov.my)Contact Person: Dr. Abdul Masani Mat Yunus (masani@mpob.gov.my)