Reliable, standardised, specific, quantitative detection of genetically modified food
  

Objectives - Technological problem

Primary objectives:

1. Develop reliable and transformation-event-specific tests for qualitative and quantitative detection of genetic modifications in food.
2. Develop reliable and transformation-event-specific multiplex tests for determination of the diversity of genetic modifications in food.
3. Investigate how improved methods for detection of genetically modified foods will influence consumer confidence in food security and trust in science and risk regulators.

Specific goals:

1. Define the domain of application of a standard DNA extraction procedure for complex and processed food (quality and yield).
2. Design species-specific reference-gene primer-probe sets for qualitative and quantitative PCR amplification and detection.
3. DNA sequence characterisation of the GMOs junction regions (insertion site and insert) for each of at least twelve GMOs.
4. Design GMO-transformation-specific primer-probe sets for qualitative and quantitative PCR amplification and detection for each of the at least twelve GMOs.
5. Test qualitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific and reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on single reference materials in single primer-probe assays.
6. Test qualitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific and reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on single reference materials in multiplex primer-probe assays.
7. Test qualitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific and reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on mixed reference materials in single primer-probe assays.
8. Test qualitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific and reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on mixed reference materials in multiplex primer-probe assays.
9. Test quantitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific/reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on single reference materials in single primer-probe assays.
10. Test quantitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific/reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on mixed reference materials in single primer-probe assays.
11. Based on the tests listed above, the best primer-probe sets for multiplex qualitative, and for specific quantitative detection of genetic modifications in food are selected and validated in ring-trials.
12. Investigate how improved methods for detection of genetically modified foods will influence consumer confidence in food security and trust in science and risk regulators.

Expected results:

1. Identification of the domain of application and matrix-limitations for a standard DNA extraction protocol.
2. Identification and characterisation of suitable taxon-specific reference genes, and development of reference gene specific primer-probe sets for qualitative and quantitative PCR amplification and detection (that will define the 100 % of the ingredient).
3. Sequence characterisation of transformation events (obtain DNA sequence of junction regions).
4. Development, validation through ring-trials, and submission of proposed European standards for PCR based transformation event specific qualitative detection of at least 12 GMOs* in single and multiplex assays.
5. Development, validation through ring-trials, and submission of proposed European standards for PCR based transformation event specific quantitative detection of at least 12 GMOs.
6. A report providing information about the impact of tests to improve traceability of genetically modified foods on consumer confidence.

Applications

In response to the European Council Directive 90/220/EEC concerning the intentional dissemination of genetically modified organisms to the environment, the European parliaments and the European Councils «Novel Food» Regulation 258/97/EC concerning new food products and ingredients, and the European parliaments and the European Councils Regulation 1139/98/EC covering the mandatory labelling of some food products produced from genetically modified organisms, reliable, specific, qualitative and quantitative standard methods for the detection of genetically modified organisms or their derivatives in food are urgently needed by the industry, European and National authorities, and consumer groups. A major objective of the project will be to provide methods which can be converted into such European standards. The National authorities, and the food industry will obtain information about the impact of tests to improve traceability of genetically modified foods on consumer confidence, with full policy guidelines detailing recommendations for the development of communication about traceability tests, and potential differences in countries with differing attitudes towards the technology.