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Signing of MoA for Transfer of DNA-based GMO Screening Technologies

Date Posted: 04-09-2015

ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with M/s DSS Imagetech Private Limited, Delhi, facilitated by Agrinnovate India Limited (AgIn) on 19th August, 2015 for transfer of five DNA-based GMO screening technologies:

  1. Hexaplex PCR targeting six marker genes(aadA, bar, hpt, nptII, pat and uidA)
  2. Duplex TaqMan Real-time PCR targeting P-35S and T-nos
  3. Visual Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP)-based technology targeting eight transgenic elements (P-35S, T-nos, aadA, nptII, uidA, cry1Ac, cry2Ab, cp4-epsps)
  4. Real-time LAMP-based technology targeting eight transgenic elements (P-35S, T-nos, aadA, nptII, uidA, cry1Ac, cry2Ab, cp4-epsps)
  5. TaqMan Real-time PCR-based multi-target system covering 47 targets for screening

These technologies provide efficient GMO screening tools to check the GM status of a sample irrespective of GM crop/trait, in a rapid/cost-efficient way. Visual and real-time LAMP technologies, when combined with fast DNA extraction method, would facilitate on-site GMO screening in farmers fields and at ports of entry.

The commercialization of these technologies in the form of user-friendly kits would help in building the confidence of consumers, assisting in post-release monitoring of GM crops and solving legal disputes, if arise.

Dr. J. S. Sandhu, Deputy Director General (Crop Science), ICAR chaired the ceremony. Dr. K. C. Bansal, Director, ICAR-NBPGR, S. Ravinderjit Singh, CEO, AgIn, Dr. Ajay Kandhari, Director, DSS Imagetech Pvt. Ltd.  and Dr. Tapash Chakraborty, Deputy General Manager - Project, Ms Guntash Dhingra and Mr. Harkaran Dhingra from DSS Imagetech Pvt. Ltd., Technology Developers, ICAR-NBPGR:  Dr. Gurinderjit Randhawa, Principal Scientist and Dr. Monika Singh, Scientist, Business Managers: Mr. Siva and Mr. Nitin and other team members of AgIn were present during the ceremony held at DG Board room, International Guest House, NASC complex, New Delhi.

Dr. J. S. Sandhu, DDG (Crop Science), Dr. K. C. Bansal, Director, ICAR-NBPGR, S. Ravinderjit Singh, CEO, AgIn, Dr. Ajay Kandhari, Director, DSS Imagetech Pvt. Ltd.  and Dr. Tapash Chakraborty, Deputy General Manager - Project, Ms Guntash Dhingra and Mr. Harkaran Dhingra from DSS Imagetech Pvt. Ltd., Technology Developers, ICAR-NBPGR:  Dr. Gurinderjit Randhawa, Principal Scientist and Dr. Monika Singh, Scientist, Business Managers: Mr. Siva and  Mr. Nitin and other team members of AgIn at MoA Signing Ceremony

  • Hexaplex PCR technology simultaneously targeting six marker genes, and duplex TaqMan Real-time PCR simultaneously targeting P-35S and T-nos, would be able to detect more than 90 per cent of globally commercialized GM events, including all commercialized GM cotton events in India
  • Visual and real-time LAMP technologies targeting eight transgenic elements can collectively screen more than 80 per cent of globally commercialized GM events, including all commercialized GM cotton events in India, facilitating rapid/cost-efficient on-site GMO screening
  • TaqMan Real-time PCR based multi-target technology detecting 47 targets would assist in rapid GMO screening for a wide range of GM crops/events including cotton, maize, rice, brinjal, potato and soybean

This technology and knowledge sharing is broadly a step towards national capacity building and make in India effort.