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This research project will compare different strains of GM wheat and barley seed by using the latest scientific methods.
<p>In the project, existing well characterised transgenic lines of wheat and barley will be analysed using a range of techniques to detect variation due to the transgene insertion.
<p>The methods to be used will include examination of the major seed storage proteins using PAGE (Poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis), metabolite profiling using NMR techniques and also SAGE (serial analysis of gene expression) technology to look at changes in gene expression.
<p>By examining the same transgenic lines using a range of methods it should be possible to make recommendations as to the best approaches for use in food safety assessments.
Wheat and Barley provide major sources of protein and carbohydrates for human and animal nutrition. They are attractive targets for genetic modification because of the possibility of modifying bread-making characteristics in wheat and malting quality in barley.
<p>In genetically modifying such traits, transgene expression is usually targeted to the seed. The seed is the part of the part that is usually incorporated into numerous foodstuffs, therefore this project examines techniques that could detect unexpected effects of the transgene insertion in GM wheat and barley seed.
<p>Find more about this project and other FSA food safety-related projects at the <a href="http://www.food.gov.uk/science/research/" target="_blank">Food Standards Agency Research webpage</a>.