GMO maize at a glance: Effective detection methods for maximum coverage
Innovative detection methods to ensure complete coverage of all commercialised GM maize events in the first analytical step
Feb 2025. With our new detection methods for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), we offer you an intelligent solution for genetically modified maize. Thanks to an innovative analysis strategy, a complete coverage of all currently commercialised classic GMO maize events can be achieved with just a few detection methods.
Challenges of GMO analysis in maize
Genetically modified maize has always posed major challenges for GMO analysis. Particularly noteworthy is the high number of different transgenic events, which is significantly higher for maize than for other plant species. This large number of genetically modified organisms places particular demands on the first step in GMO testing. Methods based on the CaMV 35S promoter, the NOS terminator and other screening elements such as the FMV promoter do not detect many commercially cultivated maize events. Therefore, the development of new detection methods is needed to reliably exclude all relevant GM maize events.
Maximum safety through innovative analysis strategies
Eurofins GeneScan GmbH, the competence centre for GMO analysis within the Eurofins laboratory network for food and feed analysis in Germany, has optimised its analysis strategies to cope with the large number of GMO maize events. The new, intelligent strategies aim to exclude as many GMOs as possible in the first analytical step. The CornScreenPlus package has been expanded to include additional detection methods for more efficient first level screening. Particularly noteworthy is the new method for the detection of the mo-pat gene from Streptomyces virodochromogenes, which is responsible for the herbicide tolerance of the respective GMO events. With the new assay for the detection of the mo-pat gene, the following GMO maize events can be reliably excluded:
| Maize Event | OECD Identifier | Traits | EU Approval Status |
| DP-023211-2 | DP-Ø23211-2 | IR, HT | Approved |
| DP-202216-6 | DP-2Ø2216-6 | AP, HT | Approved |
| DP-915635-4 | DP-915635-4 | IR, HT | Approved |
| DP-051291-2 | DP-Ø51291-2 | IR, HT | Pending |
| DP-910521-2 | DP-91Ø521-2 | IR, HT | Pending |
IR = insect resistance, HT = herbicide tolerance, AP = altered agronomic properties
Complete coverage of all GMO maize events with the new analysis strategy
In addition to the nw assay for the detection of the mo-pat gene, specific detection methods were developed for the two transgenic maize events MON94804 and DAS-1131. These GMOs do not have the usual screening elements and can now be specifically detected or excluded. With these innovative and extended analysis strategies, combining broad screening and specific detection, we offer you 100% coverage of all commercial GMO maize events in the first step of your GMO testing strategy.
Questions concerning GMO Testing
Do you have questions about the safety of your products in connection with genetically modified maize or about our new detection methods? Contact your personal account manager or get in touch directly with our GMO analysis expert Ulf Rathjens.
