Contents

How GM Plants Conquered the World

It only took GMOs 30 years to go from trial to covering more than 185 million hectares in 26 countries worldwide. Spot On takes a closer look at this revolution in food production.

By Donna HOUCHINS, Research & Development Specialist, Romer Labs

How to Change the DNA of a Plant

A quick look at Agrobacterium tumefaciens and biolistics (the “gene gun”), two of the most common ways to transform the DNA of agricultural plants.

Cauliflower Mosaic Virus

In 35S, the virus provides scientists with an effective promoter, but it also poses risks to cruciferous plants.

GMO Proteins Important to the Grain and Seed Industry

What they are called and what they do.

The 7 Sins of GMO Testing

8-9

The use of GM crops is growing, as are the risks and challenges they bring to the analysis industry. One expert talks about what not to do in this fast-developing area.

By Pavlo FUTERNYK, PhD, Managing Director, Romer Labs® Ukraine

Using Science to Help Feed the World

We rely on agriculture to supply enough food to sustain life. Though the world's population is increasing, the amount of land available for growing crops and producing livestock is not getting any bigger. In some areas, it is actually

Producing more crops with less space is a perpetual problem for the agricultural industry, especially in light of increasing pressure from the changing climate and environment. Adverse weather conditions and an everincreasing range of diseases all exert pressure on crop production.

With advances in technology, crops can now be genetically modified so that they express characteristics such as herbicide tolerance, disease resistance and drought tolerance, promoting survivability and maximising yields.

The possibilities for genetic modification are endless, but any changes made to crops bring a new set of challenges to how we analyze them. If regulations and labeling laws are any indication, the world is far from a consensus about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), with some countries opting for strict controls and others adopting a more laissez-faire approach. In light of such diversity in international opinion, it has never been more important for food and feed producers to test for GM ingredients in their products.

, the Romer Labs experts provide you with an overview of GMOs, highlighting their use around the world and the possibilities they offer the agricultural industry. We then provide some insight into the field of analysis by sharing what our experience has shown to be the “seven sins” of GMO testing. We hope that these suggestions can help you prevent your lab from falling into some common traps, ensuring that your results are accurate

Kurt Brunner Division Research Officer, Romer