Impetus Bioscience has partnered ICA Bremen for cotton DNA testing services. The developments were made over the last few months in response to increasing demand for transparency within the supply chain and from consumers.
The venture has expanded partners’ testing capabilities to identify many changes in the DNA of cotton, most significantly, the distinction between the lower and higher percentage of genetically modified cotton present in the sample. The analytical process involves exact quantitative measurements made possible by using state-of-the-art real-time polymerase chain reaction technologies alongside other testing methods.
Polymerase chain reaction is a method of making multiple copies of a DNA sequence, involving repeated reactions with a polymerase. Specific DNA sections of genetically modified insect resistant cotton can now be identified and quantified. Previously, a positive screening result indicated a genetic modification, which only allowed a positive or negative diagnosis of genetically modified cotton. These new methods of analysis allow the immediate and definite classification of genetically modified plants.
As the degree of processing of a sample increases, the limit of quantification always decreases - so the sensitivity decreases. However, the latest developments now also allow the examination of the end product, which previously couldn’t be analysed. ICA Bremen is an international center of excellence for cotton testing, research and quality training.
