DMIF-GEN: Development of methods to identify foods produced by means of genetic engineering

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 96.0253-2

Key words (English)

Genetically modified food; database; detection methods; DNA based identification; PCR

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: SMT4-CT96-2072

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 2.2 Measurements and testing

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Fachstelle BATS
Biosicherheitsforschung u. Abschätzung von Technikfolgen
Schwerpunktprogramm Biotechnologie

Abstract (English)

The DMIF-GEN database development group designed a first version of a database (DB) which compromises information for developing methods for detecting commercialized genetically modified foodstuffs, such as used genetic elements, modified DNA sequences, de-tection methods, including primer and probe sequences, and literature about these food-stuffs. By the end of the first year period Version 1.0 of the DMIF-GEN DB was distributed on a floppy disc to all interested partners of the DMIF-GEN project. The partners also received an instruction on the structure and handling of the DB.
The evaluation of the DB version 1.0 was done by an evaluation questionnaire. The inquiry covered topics such as quality of the DB structure, importance of the forms, and design of future versions of the DB. The results indicated that the basic structure of the DB with the attributes chosen was judged adequate. Concerning the preference of a local versus an internet-based DB, a clear majority for a web-based DB resulted. The results of the evalua-tion are available on the Internet under: http://food.ethz.ch/dmif-gen/
Based on the results of the evaluation among the project partners three actions were decided:
1. Development of DB version 2.0 for Microsoft Access 97. It should become more user friendly by improving the user surface (e.g. glossary, easier data input).
2. A good documentation about all relations and attributes should provide the user with a survey on the data arrangement and the hierarchical structure of the DB. The user-manual also gives a short introduction on the handling of Microsoft Access, such as how to develop own queries.
3. Development of the concept for the web-based DB. Version 3.0 of the DB should be fully web-based.
DB versions 1.0 and 2.0 were principally developed by the agency BATS (Partner 14). For the web-based DB version 3.0 the agency BATS will perform a survaillance and support function based on the experience gathered with versions 1.0 and 2.0.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 96.0253-2