A genetically modified organism (also called “genetically engineered organism”) is a plant, animal or microorganism whose genetic material (DNA) has been altered, subtracted, or added (either from the same species or a different species) using genetic engineering techniques. Created by means that overcome natural boundaries, a GMO possesses characteristics that it does not have naturally.
Through this technology, new genetic material is added into an organism’s genome. Hence, selected individual genes can be transferred from one organism into another; this can also take place between non-related species, including species that could not cross breed in nature.
We provide testing services on GMOs in food and feed routinely done by PCR. Through this technology, we are able to detect and amplify the gene regions specific for GMOs (35S promoter and NOS terminator) in fresh and highly processed samples based on the stability of nucleic acids.
The yield, purity and quality of the extracted DNA can be estimated by agarose gel electrophoresis and the measurement of optical density (OD) by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer.