Tracking genetically modified animals
New CSI-like methods for detecting artificial transgenes

Date:
August 30, 2021
Source:
McGill University
Summary:
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.



FULL STORY ========================================================================== McGill University 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 PLOS ONE, 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.

"Until now no one had applied these environmental DNA methods to
genetically modified animals, even though they are already in the wild,"
says Charles Xu, a PhD student in Department of Biology at McGill
University. "Detection 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." 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.

"Because 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," he adds. "That is especially true in cases where
these animals may escape from the lab or the farm, move to places they
don't belong, or crossbreed with natural animals." 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.

========================================================================== Story Source: Materials provided by McGill_University. Note: Content
may be edited for style and length.


========================================================================== Journal Reference:
1. Charles C. Y. Xu, Claire Ramsay, Mitra Cowan, Mehrnoush Dehghani,
Paul
Lasko, Rowan D. H. Barrett. Transgenes of genetically modified
animals detected non-invasively via environmental DNA. PLOS ONE,
2021; 16 (8): e0249439 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0249439 ==========================================================================

Link to news story: https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/08/210830140257.htm

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