GMOfinder-A GMO Screening Database

The development and cultivation of genetically modified crops is still increasing globally. Food and feed imports from outside the European Union (EU) will subsequently require more effort from the responsible authorities in monitoring the compliance with effective labelling regulations. The aim of this study was the development of the GMOfinder, a database for collection and interpretation of information related to the screening for genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Different genetic elements (e.g. promoters, terminators, structural genes) are artificially introduced into plants to establish new genetic modifications. The introduced elements may vary between GMO events, depending on the intended trait(s). Screening for such inserted elements with (real-time) polymerase chain reaction is a common first step to analyse samples for the presence of any genetical modification. From the pattern of detectable and nondetectable elements, valuable conclusions about the identity of putative present GMO event(s) can be drawn with the GMOfinder. Information about selected genetic elements from the literature, applications for authorisation and other (web) sources were systematically integrated in a tabular matrix format. Special care was taken to additionally record the sources of the information, thus facilitating evaluation of screening results, and tracing of possible errors in the matrix. The GMOfinder accesses data from the element matrix with implemented algorithms and facilitates to interpret the outcome of screenings. Such a preselection helps to systematically narrow down the candidates for subsequent identification reactions. Optional display of events with potentially masked elements completes the included features.