Dhirendra Kumar
News Curator cum Moderator
Indian Botanists
ICAR-National
Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) has signed a Memorandum of
Agreement (MoA) with M/s DSS Imagetech Private Limited, Delhi,
facilitated by Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn) on 19th August, 2015 for transfer of five DNA-based GMO screening technologies:
- Hexaplex PCR targeting six marker genes(aadA, bar, hpt, nptII, pat and uidA)
- Duplex TaqMan Real-time PCR targeting P-35S and T-nos
- Visual Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)-based technology targeting eight transgenic elements (P-35S, T-nos, aadA, nptII, uidA, cry1Ac, cry2Ab, cp4-epsps)
- Real-time LAMP-based technology targeting eight transgenic elements (P-35S, T-nos, aadA, nptII, uidA, cry1Ac, cry2Ab, cp4-epsps)
- TaqMan Real-time PCR-based multi-target system covering 47 targets for screening
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| Photo courtesy: www.nbpgr.ernet.in |
How and why DNA based GMO screening technologies are important?
Since decades, controversies are going round the globe with regard to commercialization of GMO. Many countries have approved few crops for commercial production while few others are in process. India has approved experimental field trials for some selected crops. Even though Indian government is committed to promote GM crops, debate exists on why India does not need GM technology and genetically modified Crops?
Many countries have approved few crops for commercial production while many are in process . Further each nation have their own labelling legislation and trade requirement.
A report, prepared for the department of agriculture, fishries and forestry, government of Australia, summarizes that,
"DNA detection methods are very sensitive, although careful sample preparation is required to extract DNA free from assay inhibition that are naturally present in many food products."
" By varying the DNA sequence, it can be used for general screening to a construct or event specific such as to achieve relative quantification required for compliance with labelling legislation and export of raw produce."
What NBPGR says?
NBPGR informed that, these technologies provide efficient GMO screening tools to check the GM status of a sample irrespective of GM
crop/trait, in a rapid/cost-efficient way. Visual and real-time LAMP
technologies, when combined with fast DNA extraction method, would
facilitate on-site GMO screening in farmers fields and at ports of
entry.
The commercialization of these technologies in the form of user-friendly
kits would help in building the confidence of consumers, assisting in
post-release monitoring of GM crops and solving legal disputes, if
arise.
Input References
http://www.nbpgr.ernet.in/News_Details/aid/62.aspx
http://www.daff.gov.au/SiteCollectionDocuments/ag-food/biotech/AGAL_report.pdf
