GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) are increasingly being used in food industry. Since 1995, when the first GMO began to be commercialised (FlavrSavrTM tomato, Calgene), a growing number of GMOs are approved and included in foodstuff each year.
Biotools has improved a series of existing methods (adopted by German and Swiss Official Methods, as well as by the UE), and developed new ones for GMO detection in fresh and processed samples, based on DNA amplification
BIOGENICS kits are based on two basic principles: identification of GMO-specific sequences and prevention of false negatives.
- Identification of GMO specific sequences:
GMOs contain heterologous sequences that are not usually
present in native plants. These sequences include the 35S promoter from
Cauliflower-Mosaic Virus, the NOS terminator from the bacterium Agrobacterium
tumefaciens, and specific genes of bacterial/viral/plant origin. Identification
of these heterologous sequences is an indication of GMO presence.
- Prevention of false negatives:DNA
from foodstuff can be co-purified with a series of inhibitors, specially
in processed samples (such as artificial flavourings, preservatives,
etc.), that may hinder interpretation of final detection results. Thus,
it is important to ensure that DNA is perfectly purified and that a
negative result is not caused by inhibition of the amplification reaction.
- Purity of DNA is guaranteed by inclusion, on demand, of the DNA Purification system in the BIOGENICS kits. Our DNA purification system ensures that even for highly processed samples, the obtained DNA is of sufficient purity and integrity to conduct the amplification reaction.
- Amplification controls and control DNAs are included in the kits, in order to ensure that:
- The detection reaction is working correctly (control DNA).
- The purified DNA is capable of being used for amplification of non-GMO sequences - i.e. present in native as well as in GMO plants (amplification control).
- Standard Kits: detection of heterologous sequences present in most GMOs (usually, promoter and terminator sequences regulating heterologous genes expression). They indicate GMO presence1,2 but not the specific GMO present in the sample.
- Specific Kits: detection of heterologous sequences
specific to given GMOs (e.g. RoundUp Ready TM soya from Monsanto,
Event-176 TM Maize from Syngenta, Bt-11 TM Maize from Syngenta, MON810 TM Maize from Monsanto). New specific kits are developed
depending on approved and pending applications for GMOs. Specific kits
prove to be useful in determining whether a GMO-containing material
is approved for its commercialisation in a given country / territory,
as they indicate the exact identity of the GMO.
All BIOGENICS Kits include:
- DNA Purification kit (on demand): for efficient purification of DNA and removal of contaminants usually present in foodstuff.
- Master Mixes for control and GMO-specific amplifications.
- Control DNAs (identity depending on kit).
1) CaMV35S sequences may be present in non-GMO plants from the Cruciferae, infected with Cauliflower-Mosaic Virus.
2) NOS sequences, originating from Agrobacterium from soil, may be present in roots. Analysis of these samples should include a further control to ascertain that NOS presence is due to genetic manipulation.
Some of the applications which may be performed with BIOGENICS Kits are covered by applicable patents in certain countries. The purchase of this product does not include or provide a license to perform patented applications. Users may be required to obtain a license depending on the country and/or application.