Lankan researchers in major breakthrough in genetic technology in rice research
View(s):A Sri Lankan university research team has achieved a major breakthrough in genetic technology in the field of rice research.
The Human Genetics Unit (HGU), Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo together with John Keells Research (JKR), a unit established by John Keells Holdings PLC (JKH) to carry out futuristic scientific research, on Monday announced the successful sequencing of the entire genome of ‘goda wee’ – an indigenous rice variety.
The 'Synthetic Biology Team' at the Human Genetics Unit: From Left to Right: Chathura Wijesinghe (Bioinformatician); Dilini Gunawardana (Scientist); Dr. Sanjeewa Sinhabahu (Lead Scientist); Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake (Director HGU and Principal Investigator).
“This is the first time that such a feat in the field of science was achieved within the country in Sri Lanka,” the HGU said in a statement to the media.
Sequencing of goda wee was done in the only genome sequencing facility in Sri Lanka located at the HGU. This facility was established in 2014 with research grants from the University Grants Commission of Sri Lanka and other funding agencies. The work was carried out by Prof. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake MBBS, PhD, FNASSL (Director HGU and Principal Investigator), Dr. Sanjeewa Sinhabahu PhD (Lead Scientist), Dilini Gunawardana MSc (Scientist) and Chathura Wijesinghe BSc (Bioinformatician) from the Synthetic Biology Group at the HGU which was established in 2014 in collaboration with JKR as a University-Industry partnership.
Prof. Dissanayake, who is also a member of the National Biotechnology Council of the Coordinating Secretariat for Science Technology and Innovation (COSTI) as well as the Biotechnology Committee of the National Science Foundation (NSF), commenting on this achievement said that, “This is a unique milestone in the annals of Science and Technology in Sri Lanka. We have proved that Sri Lanka now has the capability to protect and preserve our biodiversity within the country. This will also open up the opportunity for Sri Lanka to build a new wave of scientific enterprise based on local knowledge and innovation creating wealth for the country. That would in turn create new job opportunities for Sri Lankan science graduates, most of whom now leave the country or leave science and join other fields due to lack of scientific jobs.” Head of John Keells Research Dr. Muditha D. Senarath Yapa PhD, stated that “JKR is proud to be a part of this nationally important milestone which opens the door to many futuristic commercial applications. This proves the ability of Sri Lankan scientists to carry out groundbreaking research which can contribute to national development”. The team from JKR also comprised Ms. Madushani Kannangara MSc (R & D Scientist). Goda wee is an indigenous salt tolerant rice variety and the Synthetic biology group at the HGU is the first to sequence its whole plant genome in Sri Lanka.