Bangladeshi scientists have unlocked the life secrets of harmful fungi affecting jute and 500 other plant species. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina announced this today, Wednesday, at the National Parliament. She congratulated the scientists on their discovery. At the time, Deputy Speaker Shawkat Ali was presiding.
The Prime Minister said that until now, Bangladesh has gained knowledge and information from the world’s resources. From now on, Bangladesh will also provide information to the world. So far, Bangladesh has benefited from the discoveries of other countries, but now the world will gain knowledge from Bangladesh. This is a tremendous achievement. Today it has been proven that Bangladesh, too, can contribute to the world.
Sheikh Hasina stated that as a result of this discovery, jute and 500 more plant species can be protected from harmful fungi. She said a team of five scientists uncovered the life secrets of the fungi, led by Professor Maqsudul Alam. Their discovery was published today, Wednesday, in the international science journal “BMC Genomics”.
Sheikh Hasina noted that Maqsudul Alam had previously unlocked the life secrets of jute. On June 16, 2010, I spoke in Parliament about the unlocking of jute’s genetic secrets. After that discovery, the government launched a project. Research under that project enabled the discovery of the life secrets of fungi. She also mentioned that to ensure Bangladesh retains the intellectual property rights to this discovery, five patents have been filed.
Source: http://www.prothom-alo.com/detail/date/2012-09-19/news/290882
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