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

PROPOSAL: QLK1-1999-01301 ACRONYM QPCRGMOFOOD
AREA: FP5 - QoL, 5/ 1:Food, Nutrition and Health 1 - Development of safe and flexible and new and/or improved manufacturing processes and technologies Call number / date: 1a
PROJECT TYPE: Shared Cost EU CONTRIBUTION: 1,690,000
STARTING DATE: 01/02/00 DURATION: 36 months

Coordinator: Dr. A. Holst-Jensen, National veterinary Institute, Food and Feed Microbiology, P.O. Box 8156, NO -0033, Oslo, Norway, Email: arne.holst-jensen@vetinst.no

Project Description:
Develop reliable and transformation-event-specific tests for qualitative and quantitative detection of genetic modifications in food. Develop reliable and transformation-event-specific multiplex tests for determination of the diversity of genetic modifications in food. 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: Define the domain of application of a standard DNA extraction procedure for complex and processed food (quality and yield). Design species-specific reference-gene primer-probe sets for qualitative and quantitative PCR amplification and detection. DNA sequence characterisation of the GMO's junction regions (insertion site and insert) for each of at least twelve GMOs. Design GMO-transformation-specific primer-probe sets for qualitative and quantitative PCR amplification and detection for each of the at least twelve GMOs. Test qualitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific and reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on single reference materials in single primer-probe assays. Test qualitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific and reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on single reference materials in multiplex primer-probe assays. Test qualitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific and reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on mixed reference materials in single primer-probe assays. Test qualitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific and reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on mixed reference materials in multiplex primer-probe assays. Test quantitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific/reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on single reference materials in single primer-probe assays. Test quantitative performance of the GMO-transformation-specific/reference-gene-specific primer-probe sets on mixed reference materials in single primer-probe assays. 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. 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 Identification of the domain of application and matrix-limitations for a standard DNA extraction protocol. 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). Sequence characterisation of transformation events (obtain DNA sequence of junction regions). 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. Development, validation through ring-trials, and submission of proposed European standards for PCR based transformation event specific quantitative detection of at least 12 GMOs. 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 parliament's and the European Council's "Novel Food" Regulation 258/97/EC concerning new food products and ingredients, and the European parliament's and the European Council's 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.

Project URL: http://www.vetinst.no/Holst_jensen_qprgmo/about.htm

Consortium:
Co-ordinator: Department: DEPARTMENT OF FEED AND FOOD HYGIENE SECTION OF FEED AND FOOD MICROBIOLOGY Organisation: National Veterinary Institute Ullevaalsveien 68 0033 OSLO NORWAY Participants Department: UNILEVER RESEARCH LABORATORIUM VLAARDINGEN Organisation: Unilever Nederland BV 120 Olivier van Noortlaan 120 PO Box 114 3133 AT VLAARDINGEN NETHERLANDS Organisation: Tepral SA Route d'Oberhausbergen 20 67037 STRASBOURG FRANCE Organisation: Matforsk - Norwegian Food Research Institute Osloveien 1 1430 AAS NORWAY Organisation: Centrum voor Landbouwkundig Onderzoek Gent - Ministerie van Landbouw en Middenstand Burg. Van Gansberghelaan 96 9820 MERELBEKE BELGIUM Organisation: Gene-Scan GmbH Botzingerstrasse 29a 79111 FREIBURG (IN BREISGAU) GERMANY Department: BIOGEVES/GEVES Organisation: Groupe d' Etudes et de Controle des Varietes et des Semences Domaine du Magneraud 17700 SURGERES FRANCE Department: DEPARTMENT DE GENETICA MOLECULAR Organisation: Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas Jordi Girona, 18/26 08034 BARCELONA SPAIN Department: LIR 67 - LABORATOIRE INTERREGIONAL DE LA REPRESSION DES FRAUDES DE STRASBOURG Organisation: Direction Generale de la Concurrence d e la Consommation et de la Repression des Fraudes Chemin du routoir 67400 ILLKIRCH GRAFFENSTADEN FRANCE Department: LIFESCIENCES RESEARCH Organisation: LGC - Laboratory of the Government Chemist (Teddington) Ltd Queens Road TW11 0LY TEDDINGTON UNITED KINGDOM Department: INSTITUTE OF HEALTH AND CONSUMER PROTECTION Organisation: Commission of the European Communities Via Enrico Fermi 1 21020 BARASSO ITALY Department: DIET HEALTH & CONSUMER SCIENCE DIVISION Organisation: Institute of Food Research Norwich Research Park, Colney NR4 7UA Norwich UNITED KINGDOM Department: LABORATOIRE DE PHYTOPATHOLOGIE ET DE METHODOLOGIES DE LA DETECTION - EQUIPE METHODOLOGIES DE LE DETECTION DES OGM CENTRE DE RECHERCHE DE VERSAILLES Organisation: Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique Route de Saint-Cyr RD 10 78026 VERSAILLES FRANCE


Return to FP5 project title list