Biotech Updates

Development of Detection System for cry2Ab in GM Crops

March 25, 2011

An efficient detection system for trait validation and GMO screening is one of the most needed procedures in GM technology. In India, a number of biotech crops with cry2Ab are undergoing field testing, such as Bt brinjal, Bt okra, and Bt cotton. This led Suchitra Kamle from the Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, together with other scientists, to conduct a qualitative assay for cry2Ab.

Amplification compatibility with the promoter, terminator, and marker gene was further confirmed using Bt cotton as reference. High levels of cry1Ab did not inhibit the detection of cry2Ab. Through nested PCR, the presence of the gene was further confirmed. Therefore, this complex and construct specific PCR method could be used to efficiently detect cry2Ab in biotech crops.

The abstract is available at http://www.landesbioscience.com/journals/gmcrops/article/15471/.