Biotech Updates

Notification to Field Test GM potato in Germany

September 12, 2008

A notification report has been published for the field trials of genetically modified (GM) potato by the University of Rostock, Germany. The field trial is designed to determine the frost and the frost reaction of Cyanophycin-producing plants; influence of the winter season on rotting of the GM potatoes; the potential accumulation of cyanophycin in the soil; and the influence of rotting of cyanophycin-producing potatoes in soil microbes. 

The GM potatoes were modified to contain genes for PsbY-cphATe (cyanophycin synthase) of T. elongates and npt II , thus producing cyanophycin and are resistant against kanamycin. Cyanophycin are the non-protein nitrogen storage polymer in cyanobacteria produced in times of stress, except during nitrogen starvation.

See details of the notificaion report at http://gmoinfo.jrc.ec.europa.eu/gmp_report.aspx?CurNot=B/DE/08/196