Current Progress/Outcomes:
Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins are the primary source of insect resistance traits in genetically modified (GM) crops and a major focus of GM regulatory oversight by governments worldwide.
Researchers from the Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences (JAAS) in collaboration with the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa have developed broad-spectrum screening and detection methods for Bt toxins. Utilizing Bt insect receptors and broadly recognizing antibodies, these methods enable the simultaneous screening of either 4 common Bt toxins (Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry2Aa, Cry2Ab) or 8 common Bt toxins (Cry1Ab, Cry1Ac, Cry1Ah, Cry1B, Cry1C, Cry1F, Cry2Ab, and Cry3Aa). They have also developed corresponding enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits and colloidal gold test strips.
This achievement demonstrates strong innovation and high technical maturity. It has already been granted 3 Chinese patents and applied in China for detecting Bt toxins in GM maize and GM tobacco. Furthermore, the cost per sample test is reduced by approximately 50%-75% compared to existing methods. This significantly lowers the cost of GM detection while improving efficiency. The technology has the potential for demonstration and application in developing countries, including African nations.
