10. On-site novel methods for GMO detection have been designed

A pre-harvest method to estimate the GM content of conventional maize fields, employing a duplex RT-PCR detection and quantification assay for MON810 for use on the Cepheid SmartCyclerII on-site instrument as a model, was developed and validated through an international ring-trial. Assay performance met minimum requirements as considered by the European network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL). Complimentary to this, two field-level sampling procedures have been further investigated with suggestions for practical implementation. Together, both elements (method and sampling procedure) constitute the basis for a strategic 'prototype' on-site decision tool for assessing GM adventitious presence pre-harvest. In addition, a protein based strip-test, based on a commercial kit, was also validated in-house for use in a semi-quantitative capacity against maize, and in support of the RT-PCR method.

In addition, an in-house validated qualitative strip-test for Round-up Ready oilseed rape, originally commercialised for use with soybean, was shown to function adequately.

As it was considered more appropriate to make such method information available in a more established and purpose built database for public access, the GMOs Method Database hosted by the Joint Research Centre's Institute for Health and Consumer Protection (IHCP), Ispra, Italy (http://mbg.jrc.ec.europa.eu/home/ict/methodsdatabase.htm) has been selected to host the these details. For copyright reasons, this will be finalised once the methods have been published in a peer reviewed format.

With respect to the maize field-level sampling schemes, as part of the delivery of the prototype pre-harvest predictive tool, a number of  important conclusions from both studies towards  accurate estimation of field-level GM presence highlight the necessisty to sample kernels from cobs on many plants, and not from single plants. In this way the probability distribution of cross-pollination is also better sampled. Therefore it is better to sample a few kernels from many cobs, rather than many kernels from a few cobs, although the former is more problematic in practice - it would be less prone to plant-to-plant variation and sampling error. In addition, further investigation of optimal in-field sampling schemes should be performed to take into account the intra-field distribution of cross-pollination (boundaries have a higher cross-pollination level).