Introduction

The goal of the Malaysian Oil Palm Genome Programme (MyOPGP) is to produce a draft sequence of the oil palm genome. The sequence will provide a deeper understanding of the genome architecture and become a resource for biomarker discovery and development of diagnostic tools. The programme was first initiated in 2004 to selectively sequence the hypomethylated regions of the genome, and was subsequently expanded to the whole genome, facilitated by advancements in sequencing technologies and bioinformatics.

Three oil palm genomes, the dura and pisifera fruit forms of E. guineensis, and E. oleifera were sequenced, assembled and annotated. The E. guineensis (pisifera) and E. oleifera genomes were de novo assembled and represent reference sequences. About 93-fold coverage of the genomes was achieved using a combination of new sequencing technologies, namely Roche 454 and Illumina. The transcriptome and epigenome of oil palm were also deciphered.

MyOPGP data has facilitated the development of important genomic platforms, such as single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), oligo and methylation arrays. These platforms are being leveraged on to improve efficiency of oil palm breeding and tissue culture.

Objectives