Genetically modified organisms are organisms that have an artificially modified genetic structure. Genetic modifications we encounter most commonly are found in corn, soybeans, rice, oilseed rape, potatoes, tomatoes, sugar beet and cotton,
The aim of these modifications is: resistance/tolerance to pests and herbicides (glyphosate, glufosinate), resistance to viral infection…
The most common soy worldwide is Roundup Ready soy, that has gene of an enzyme from bacterium A. tumefaciens. This modification results with glyphosate tolerance.
The EU Regulation no. 1829/2003 defines GMO legislative for food and feed. Products need to be labeled if they contain more than 0.9% of GMO.
In the Department for Molecular Diagnostics, presence of GMOs is conducted using Real Time PCR method on Stratagene Mx3005P. This procedure involves:
-
DNA extraction
-
Qualitative method – screening – detection of specific transgene elements: p35S (promoter sequence of Cauliflower mosaic virus), tNOS (terminator of nopaline synthase from A. tumefaciens), pFMV (promoter from Figwort mosaic virus), TE9 (terminator of the pea ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit (rbcS) E9 gene), MON87701 (MON-87701-2)
-
If screening is positive for certain elements, identification (GTS 40-3-2, MON89788, A2704-12, A5547-127) and quantification of GMO events have to be conducted (expressed as %).