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The Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Taq Polymerases and a Decontamination Method Applied to the Detection of Genetically Modified Crops

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Abstract

Different antibiotic resistance (AR) genes, such as Bla, Tet and NPTII, contaminate commercially available Taq polymerases. The specificity of the AR gene PCR can be increased when using a restriction enzyme-based decontamination of polymerase. The elimination of Taq polymerase contamination allows the use of PCR tests to screen seeds (corn) and processed food for the presence of genetically modified organisms (GMO) based on the detection of AR genes. Without a decontamination procedure for AR genes, PCR screening tests should be interpreted with caution.

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Correspondence to Philippe Raymond.

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Revisions requested 1 November 2005; Revisions received 28 November 2005

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Perron, A., Raymond, P. & Simard, R. The Occurrence of Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Taq Polymerases and a Decontamination Method Applied to the Detection of Genetically Modified Crops. Biotechnol Lett 28, 321–325 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-005-5931-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10529-005-5931-3

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