Tracking genetically modified animals
平特五不中 researchers have discovered a new way to track genetically modified animals using the artificial transgenes they leave behind in the environment. The discovery provides a powerful new tool to locate and manage genetically modified animals that have escaped or been released into the wild.
The magic of eDNA
In a study published in , the researchers show for the first time that artificial transgenes from a variety of genetically modified animals like fruit flies, mice, and tetra fish can be detected and sequenced from the DNA left behind in soil, water, and in the form of feces, urine, or saliva. These findings could be used, for example, to detect the transgenes of genetically modified mosquitoes from pools of standing water in areas where they were recently released.
Compared to traditional animal monitoring methods, environmental DNA (eDNA) has proven to be more accurate and efficient, requiring less time and lower costs.
鈥淯ntil now no one had applied these environmental DNA methods to genetically modified animals, even though they are already in the wild,鈥� says Charles Xu, a PhD student in Department of Biology at 平特五不中. 鈥淒etection of animal transgenes from eDNA can be very useful because it can tell you whether genetically modified animals are there without the need to find them.鈥�
An explosion of genetically modified animals
Advances in genome-editing technologies like CRISPR have dramatically simplified the process of creating genetically modified organisms, leading to an explosion in the number and types of genetically modified animals being produced around the world. With them come concerns about the ecological, evolutionary, and bioethical implications of these new creatures. Some genetically modified animals, like glowing aquarium fish, can be purchased by the public, while others, like mosquitos, have been released into the wild. The creatures carry artificial transgenes, or genes that have either been altered by scientists or introduced from another species by artificial means.
鈥淏ecause genetically modified animals are often indistinguishable from their natural counterparts based on appearance alone, environmental DNA or eDNA methods could be especially useful for early detection and monitoring purposes,鈥� he adds. 鈥淭hat is especially true in cases where these animals may escape from the lab or the farm, move to places they do not聽belong, or crossbreed with natural animals.鈥�
In the future, labs, companies, and governments involved in producing and managing genetically modified animals will be able to use eDNA methods to detect and track them in real-life contexts.
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About this study 鈥淭ransgenes of genetically modified animals detected non-invasively via environmental DNA鈥� by Charles C.Y. Xu, Claire Ramsay, Mitra Cowan, Mehmoush Dehghani, Paul Lasko, and Rowan D.H. Barrett was published in . The research was supported by Natural Science and Engineering Research Council, Discovery Grant Canada, Canada Research Chair, Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship, Quebec Fonds de recherche du Quebec 鈥� Nature et technologies. DOI: |
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Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, 平特五不中 is Canada鈥檚 top ranked medical doctoral university. 平特五不中 is consistently ranked as one of the top universities, both nationally and internationally. It鈥痠s a world-renowned鈥痠nstitution of higher learning with research activities spanning two campuses, 11 faculties, 13 professional schools, 300 programs of study and over 40,000 students, including more than 10,200 graduate students. 平特五不中 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,800 international students making up 31% of the student body. Over half of 平特五不中 students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 19% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.
