Construction of a gene-data bank of tropical rainforest tree species in Sarawak, Malaysia

A “gene-data bank” of tropical rainforest tree species in Sarawak was constructed. This work was initiated to deposit DNA materials from tree species in the whole area of Sarawak and found the information gathered to be effective tools for the sustainable management of bio-resources. For this study leaf samples, mainly from dipterocarp species, were collected from eight natural populations in national parks mainly and also several man-made forests. We collected nearly 5,000 samples including 127species in 27 families. DNA extraction was done in the Forest Research Centre (FRC) in Kuching, Sarawak using a modified CTAB method. These DNA samples were deposited along with field sampling data and DNA extraction data. Genetic analysis using RAPD, AFLP, microsatellite and DNA sequencing is now under progress to clarify the genetic constitution of the tree populations. Genetic information obtained by these methods will be useful in specifying the individual trees and will be incorporated into the gene-data bank.