A consortium of researchers in Bangladesh successfully completed draft genome sequencing for the jute plant.
On June 16, 2010, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina disclosed in the parliament that Bangladeshi researchers had successfully completed the draft genome sequencing, which was anticipated to contribute to improvements in jute fiber production.
[2] It all began in February 2008, when Maqsudul Alam approached Professor Ahmad Shamsul Islam, Coordinator of GNOBB (Global Network of Bangladeshi Biotechnologists) regarding the possibility of sequencing the jute genome.
The Bangladeshi science community, which was already looking into the possibility of getting the jute genome sequenced, responded to this offer, which started the process.
Genomic DNA (gDNA) from Tossa Jute (Corchorus olitorius O-4) was used for high-throughput Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platforms, including 454 GS FLX, Illumina/Solexa, and SOLiD.