Makmal Sitogenetik MPOB has transferred several services as follows:

PORIM TT No. 49 (1998). Chromosome Painting in Oil Palm Hybrids 

Genomic in situ hybridisation (GISH) method was developed to distinguish between oleifera and guineensis chromosomes. Hence, this is a useful method for oil palm breeders to assess the genome composition of backcrosses and oil palm hybrids.

MPOB TS No. 18 (2007). Flow Cytometry Applications

Flow cytometry is a rapid and convenient technique that allows accurate determination of: (1) nuclear DNA content and genome size in plants, and (2) the ploidy level of any organisms. It is a useful tool for research ranging from evolutionary studies to genome mapping and ploidy manipulation.

MPOB TS No. 49 (2008). Plant Mitosis and Meiosis: Cytogenetical Analysis

Cytogenetics is a branch of genetics involved with the study of chromosomes and cell division. Fluorescent and non-fluorescent dyes can be used to visualise the chromosomes. Mitosis and meiosis are both processes of cell division and occur in somatic and reproductive cells, respectively. By doing cytogenetical analysis, mitotic and meiotic cells can be analysed to observe any abnormalities in  chromosome morphology or process.

MPOB TS No. 58 (2009). Plant Molecular Cytogenetic Analysis

Molecular cytogenetics involves a combination of molecular biology and cytogenetics. In general, this involves the use of a series of techniques referred to as the fluorescence in situ hybridisation (FISH), in which DNA probes are labelled with differently coloured fluorescent tags to visualise one or more specific regions of the genome. The technology enables: (1) the location of DNA sequences such as ribosomal DNA and transgenes to be determined, (2) the identification of individual chromosome pairs using specific ISSR and RFLP markers, and (3) Elaies oleifera and E. guineensis chromosomes to be distinguished in interspecific hybrids.

MPOB TS No. 111 (2012). Image Cytometry (ICM): Genetic Analysis of Oil Palm Calli and Suspension Cultures

For oil palm calli and suspension cultures, genetic variation analysis, estimation of genome size and observation of nuclei activity are not possible via flow cytometry due to the low population of nuclei present. Hence, image cytometry or ICM method was developed to address this issue. The approach is to quantitate the chromogenic areas of the black and white nuclei images followed by calculation of integrative optical density (IOD) via image analysis software

Main Research: Dr Maria Madon