September 10, 2010

Source: Information Systems for Biotechnology

RISK MANAGEMENT RESEARCH

Modifying Plant Growth the Cisgenic Way
Venkatesh Viswanath and Steven H. Strauss
As genomics has progressed to include a much wider variety of organisms than the few model species that were widely studied in the past, the ability to use native genomic information for transgenic modification has become widely available. In a report in Plant Biotechnology Journal on the first use of cisgenes intended to modify the growth of plants, the authors demonstrate that the transfer of entire native genes that play roles in biosynthesis or signaling of gibberellic acids (GAs), including their 5' and 3' proximal regulatory regions, impart changes in growth rate and stature in poplars. This essay summarizes their work and evaluates its possible utility for plant breeding.

The Safety Assessment of Transgenic Plants in which Gene Expression Has Been Modified
Bruce M. Chassy
Engineered crops have become a significant component of modern agriculture. Prior to release for commercial planting, a thorough pre-market regulatory review focuses on any potential agricultural and environmental impacts of genetically engineered crops, as well as any differences in food safety that may be associated with the introduction of novel genes and their products. This article briefly summarizes the conclusions of a recent paper that examines the suitability of the currently used comparative safety paradigm to crops in which gene expression has been altered. The article also serves as an up-to-date review of the safety assessment process.

PLANT RESEARCH

Large-scale Molecular Farming of Recombinant Human Collagen in Transgenic Tobacco
Oded Shoseyov, Hagit Amitai, Yehudit Posen, Amit Yaari, Shani Shilo, Sigal Roth, Or Dgany, Tamar Tal, and Noa Lapidot
Historically, collagen products used for pharmaceutical or biotechnological applications have been extracted from animal or cadaver sources. However, use of such materials can provoke immune responses and involves risk of contamination with pathogens. Because protein synthesis pathways are highly conserved between plant and eukaryote systems, the plant can often effectively support expression of complex eukaryotic proteins. The decline of traditional tobacco agriculture followed by the search for novel farming opportunities has prompted the harnessing of tobacco plant production capacity toward meeting the growing demand for biologics.

Website: http://www.isb.vt.edu

Published: September 10, 2010