Participation in Research Projects

Co-Extra: GM and non-GM supply chains: their CO-EXistence and TRAceability (2005 - 2009)

(FP6 Integrated Project financially supported by the European Commission)

The objective of Co-Extra is to develop comprehensive tools and methodologies and integrate them along with existing ones into embedded decision-support systems aimed at enabling co-existence between GM and non GM (conventional and organic) crops; tracing of genetically modified organism (GMO) materials and derived products along the food and feed chains; anticipating the future expansion of GMOs in both quantitative as well as qualitative terms. Tools and methodologies are assessed not only from the technical point of view but also with regard to economic, administrative and legal aspects.

Further details: http://www.coextra.eu/

Identification of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and development of an indicator system for analysis of the main sources of introduction of resistant bacteria in the aquatic environment (2001 - 2005)

(Project financially supported by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research - BMBF)

Bacterial resistance and especially the increase of multiple resistance against antibiotics is a worldwide problem for which even increasing impact is expected in future. As due to the diversity of existent types of resistance and the diversity of genes as well as loci involved the detection of resistance determinants is cumbersome and sometimes even impracticable the project aimed to develop an indicator-system which is indicative for the presence of multiple resistant bacteria (harbouring 5-7 resistance traits) in sewage and surface water. A chip based detection system was developed to facilitate the simultaneous molecular analysis of several determinants in parallel (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococci, resistance genes and loci for ciprofloxacin, imipenem, ampicillin, methicillin and vancomycin).

Further details: http://edok01.tib.uni-hannover.de/edoks/e01fb06/515354422l.pdf

MOLSPEC-ID: Development of Quantitative and Qualitative Molecular Biological Methods to Identify Plant and Animal Species in Foods (2001 - 2004)

(FP5 Project financially supported by the European Commission)

Main objective of the MOLSPEC-ID project was the development of methods suited for the monitoring of potential allergenic compounds, for the detection of fraudulent replacement of food components and to ensure correct labeling. Until then official methods for the detection of plant and animal species in foods were exclusively based on protein analysis. Within the MOLSPEC-ID project DNA-based methods for the identification and quantification of plant and animal species in foods were developed which are suitable for raw as well as highly processed food products and therefore usable along the whole production chain for tracking and tracing purposes.

Further details: http://www.molspec.org/molspec/

DNAIQ: Development of molecular genetic methods for the identification and quantification of fish and seafood (2001 - 2003)

(FP5 Project financially supported by the European Commission)

Objectives of the DNAIQ project were the improvement of DNA-based fish and seafood identification methods and the development of reliable as well as sensitive quantification techniques for fish and seafood products.

Further details: http://cordis.europa.eu/data/PROJ_FP5/ACTIONeqDndSESSIONeq112482005919ndDOCeq2495ndTBLeqEN_PROJ.htm

Qpcrgmofood: Reliable, standardised, specific, quantitative detection of genetically modified foods (2000 - 2003)

(FP5 Project financially supported by the European Commission)

Within Qpcrgmofood qualitative and quantitative transformation-event-specific PCR systems as well as species-specific reference PCR systems were developed and validated for reliable detection of GMOs (Genetically Modified Organisms) in food and feed samples, both in simplex as well as multiplex format. On the DNA extraction side the domain of application and matrix-limitations for a standard DNA extraction protocol were determined. Furthermore the question was adressed how improved methods for detection of genetically modified foods will influence consumer confidence in food security and trust in science and risk regulators.

Further details: http://cordis.europa.eu/data/PROJ_FP5/ACTIONeqDndSESSIONeq112482005919ndDOCeq2306ndTBLeqEN_PROJ.htm

Technical and Biological Pollen Accumulators and PCR-Screening for the Monitoring of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMO) (2000 - 2002)

(Project financially supported by the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) and the Federal State of Bremen (Senator for Building and the Environment; implemented by BIA: Bremer Innovations-Agentur GmbH; Project carried out on behalf of the Federal Environment Agency))

The aim of the project was to develop a method for monitoring genetically modified organisms (GMOs), in order to produce geographical and temporal documentation of GMO loads e. g. in the surrounding of experimental GM crop fields using physical-mechanical and biological (-> honey) pollen accumulators in combination with PCR screening. Molecular biological DNA screening methods based on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were optimized and validated in order to identify and quantify pollen loads from GMOs like transgenic HR rape, HR and Bt corn and VR sugar beet. The result of statistical analysis demonstrated that the methods used are sensitive, reproducible, representative and fit for purpose. Evaluation of the pollen spectra showed that more than 140 species were collected, and that mechanical and biological collectors complemented each other ideally.

Further details: http://www.bfn.de/fileadmin/MDB/documents/BfN-Skripten_139_2005_Zusammenfassung.pdf

Development of Methods for Detection of Genetically Modified Cotton in Products of Different Processing Stages (2001 - 2002)

(Project financially supported by the Senator for Labor, Women, Health, Youth and Social Affairs of the Federal State of Bremen)

The aim of the project was to develop DNA-based methods for the detection of genetically modified cotton in products of different processing stages.

Validation of Analytical Methods for the Identification and Determination of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Food and Food Ingredients (1998 - 2000)

(Project financially supported by the European Commission, carried out by the Joint Research Center (Ispra) in collaboration with five European Partners)

The aim of the project was to validate qualitative gel-based PCR screening methods for 35S and nos for their suitability to detect GMOs (Roundup Ready® soybean, Bt-176 maize) in processed food matrices (polenta, infant-formula, biscuits, acidified soybean meal) and to validate semi-quantitative gel-based PCR methods for estimation of GMO concentration in raw materials.

Development of methods to identify food products by means of genetic engineering (1996 - 1999)

(FP4 Project financially supported by the European Commission)

The aims of the project were firstly to develop and standardize detection methods for the identification of foods containing GMOs. Secondly, to establish DNA extraction methods for raw, processed and complex foods. The third aim was to perform ring testing (i.e. validation) of six selected detection methods, and to study possible means of enhancing efficiency of analysis and sample throughput. The final aim was to develop a database containing data on GM food world-wide.

Further details: http://ec.europa.eu/research/quality-of-life/gmo/04-food/04-03-project.html

Development and Verification of Methods for the Analysis of Flanking Sequences of Transgenes in Plants (1996 - 1998)

(Project financially supported by the Federal Ministry for Research and Technology (BMFT)

The aim of the project was to develop and optimize a method for the identification and analysis of flanking sequences of transgenes in plants as a prerequisite for 1) the design of event-specific PCR detection systems 2) the discovery and analysis of gen transfer events 3) the investigation of the stability of transgenes in plants.

Eurofins GeneScan - Setting Standards