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Towards future reference systems for GM analysis

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Abstract

Despite the fact that the measurement unit for the quantification of GMOs in food and feed products has not yet been unambiguously agreed upon in Europe, international trade requires reliable GMO analysis measuring comparably the GMO content of products. The two reference systems, based either on mass fractions or on copy number ratios, and their metrological traceability chains are presented and discussed. It is concluded that, properly established and expressed, measurement results in copy number ratios can provide a metrologically sound reference system. In this case, certified reference materials used for calibration and quality control can be independent of each other and the uncertainty derived from calibration can correctly be included in the overall uncertainty of the GMO measurement. However, further efforts are required to establish this metrological system.

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Abbreviations

GM:

Genetically modified

GMO:

Genetically modified organisms

PCR:

Polymerase chain reaction

EC:

European Commission

CRM:

Certified reference material

RSDR :

Relative reproducibility standard deviation

DNA:

Desoxyribonucleic acid

pDNA:

Plasmid DNA

gDNA:

Genomic DNA

LOD:

Limit of detection

SI:

International System of Units

U:

Expanded uncertainty

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. European Commission, Joint Research Centre, Institute for Reference Materials and Measurements (IRMM), Retieseweg 111, 2440, Geel, Belgium

    Stefanie Trapmann, Philippe Corbisier, Heinz Schimmel & Hendrik Emons

Authors
  1. Stefanie Trapmann
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  2. Philippe Corbisier
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  3. Heinz Schimmel
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  4. Hendrik Emons
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Correspondence to Stefanie Trapmann.

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Trapmann, S., Corbisier, P., Schimmel, H. et al. Towards future reference systems for GM analysis. Anal Bioanal Chem 396, 1969–1975 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3321-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00216-009-3321-8

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