ISB News Report - August/September 2015
http://www.isb.vt.edu/news/2015/AugSep15.pdf

Table of Contents

PLANT RESEARCH NEWS

How Do Plants Deal with Flood and Drought? Biotechnological Strategies to Enhance the Natural Response and Improve Yield
Karina F. Ribichich and Raquel L. Chan

Water deficit and water excess are major factors affecting plants yield worldwide. To cope with such factors, plants trigger physiological and biochemical changes allowing them to survive for a limited period of time. Water deficit and excess seem to be opposites; however, the stresses caused by these factors, as well as the responses triggered by the plants to deal with them, share several common features. Plant responses to abiotic stresses are complex and use different mechanisms depending on the type of stress, developmental stage, growth conditions, and other internal and external factors. Transcription factors, as key molecules participating in adaptive mechanisms, are good candidates to use as biotechnological tools for less-well adapted crops.

REGULATORY NEWS

USDA Slowly Adapts to New Technology in the Regulation of Biotech Products
Phillip Jones

On Oct. 9, 2008, the US Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a proposal to amend regulations for the importation, interstate movement, and environmental release of certain genetically engineered (GE) organisms. The agency explained that the proposal was prompted by advancements in technology and by experience in implementing the current regulations. Advances in technology change the way that researchers alter plants. These new methods create plants that can fall outside APHIS regulations.

NEWS AND NOTES

EU's GRACE CONFERENCE
GMO Risk Assessment and Communication of Evidence
9th-10th November 2015
Potsdam, Germany

This conference will mark the end of GRACE, a research project funded by the European Commission's 7th framework programme from 2012.

GRACE pursues two key research objectives:
Firstly, it aims to provide comprehensive reviews of the existing evidence on the health, environmental and socio-economic impacts of GM plants - considering both risks and possible benefits.
Secondly, GRACE evaluates animal feeding trials (90-day, 1-year) and alternative methods for use in GMO risk assessment. This is a particular topical issue as the need for mandatory animal feeding studies in GMO risk assessment in the European Union will be evaluated in 2016.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2014-0076]

We are advising the public of our determination that InnateTM Potato designated as Russet Burbank event W8, which has been genetically engineered for late blight resistance, low acrylamide potential, reduced black spot bruising, and lowered reducing sugars, is no longer considered a regulated article under our regulations governing the introduction of certain genetically engineered organisms.