B. Sc. (Hons.

) Agriculture, 6th semester, 3rd Year

GPB- 322 : Principles of Seed Technology
Unit III
Detection of genetically modified crops

Lecture No. 17
Dr. Jai P. Gupta

Assistant Professor, School of Agriculture

Outlines

Introduction
Objective of GM certification
Detection of GM
Protein based method/ Immunoassays
DNA based method
Assignment/exercise on topic
References
Introduction

GM is a technology that involves inserting DNA into the genome of an

organism. To produce a GM plant, new DNA is transferred into plant cells.
Usually, the cells are then grown in tissue culture where they develop into
plants. The seeds produced by these plants will inherit the new DNA.  

Genetic modification of plants involves adding a specific stretch of DNA

into the plant’s genome, giving it new or different characteristics. This
could include changing the way the plant grows, or making it resistant to a
particular disease. The new DNA becomes part of the GM plant’s genome
which the seeds produced by these plants will contain.

All genetically engineered crops/varieties have to be tested for for

environment and bio-safety before their commercial release, as per  the
regulations and guidelines of the Environment Protection Act  (EPA),
1986.
Objective of GM certification
To confirm the producer's claims regarding the genetic status of  the
product.  
To ensure the varietal purity of GM seeds with respect to the  expression
of the inserted transgene and varietal characteristics  of the particular
variety.  
To detect and quantify the adventitious contamination of GM seeds in
conventional seed lots. Presence of GM seeds in non-GM  seed lots is
termed as adventitious contamination.  
To prevent the entry of unapproved transgene event into the  country
along with the imported seed/ food material.  
To certify that the seed used in organic farming are free from  GM seeds
or its contamination.  
To enforce the proper labeling of GM products and food  materials.  
To increase confidence on GM varieties in the producer, inspire
 customer good will, and differentiate the product in the market  place.  
To ensure and document compliance with GMO-related  regulations.  
Detection of GM

Protein based methods/ Immunoassays  

a)Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)  
b)Lateral flow strip method  

DNA based method  

Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA)  
It is a protein-based test method that uses antibodies specific to the 
protein of interest. ELISA detects and quantifies the amount of  specific
protein in a sample in the presence of other proteins. In  ELISA test one
antibody binds with the specific protein whereas the  second antibody
amplifies. This antibody binds to an enzyme and  forms a colored product.  
Lateral flow strip method  
Antibodies specific for the
expressed protein are coupled  to a
color reagent, and incorporated into
the nitrocellulose strip. The  strip is
then placed in an eppendorf tube
that contains a plant tissue with the
transgenic protein. A colored
antibody sandwich is formed.  This
colored sandwich flows to the other
end of the strip through a  porous
membrane that contains two
captured zones, one specific for  the
transgenic protein sandwich and
another specific for untreated 
antibodies coupled to the color
reagent.
DNA based method 
It is based on detection of the specific sequence of transgenic DNA
genetically engineered into the crop. Presence of transgene is tested  by
Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technology based on million or billion
fold amplification of specific target DNA of transgene with  synthetic
oligo-nucleotide primers. An event-specific presence of a  DNA sequence
is unique for detection of GM. Generally it is preset in  between transgene
and the organism's original DNA.  
Assignment/Exercise

1. Write a assignment on current status and future prospects of

genetically modified crops.
References

1. Agarwal, P.K. 1994. Principles of Seed technology. ICAR, New

Delhi.

2. Dhirendra Khare and Mohan S. Bhale. 2007. Seed Technology.

Scientific Publishers (India), Jodhpur.

3. Seed Technology- Har Pal Singh Tomar , Aman pub. House

4. https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/gm-plants/what-is-gm-
and-how-is-it-done/