Objective One of the major concerns limiting the potential usage of genetically modified crops and organisms in agriculture is the potential risk for lateral gene transfer in the environment. While numerous studies have considered lateral gene transfer into gut bacteria, the transfer into unicellular eukaroytes has been ignored until now. Here we propose that the unique genome organisation of ciliated protozoa, i.e. the presence of an asexual macronucleus with gene-sized mini-chromosomes, makes them ideal bio-monitors for gene transfer events in the gut of farm animals and insects. The telomeric sequences of gut ciliates plus signature sequences in GMO-derived DNA should allow primers to be developed for bulk DNA analysis by PCR and high throughput screening using fluorescence in situ hybridisation and flow cytometry. These transfer events will be compared to historical gene transfer event evaluated by bioinformatical techniques. Fields of science medical and health sciencesmedical biotechnologygenetic engineeringgene therapynatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologybacteriologynatural sciencesbiological sciencesgeneticsDNAnatural sciencesbiological sciencesmicrobiologyprotozoologynatural sciencesbiological scienceszoologyentomology Programme(s) FP5-LIFE QUALITY - Specific Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Quality of life and management of living resources", 1998-2002 Topic(s) 1.1.1.-3. - Key action The "Cell factory" Call for proposal Data not available Funding Scheme CSC - Cost-sharing contracts Coordinator STICHTING KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT EU contribution No data Address 6500 GL NIJMEGEN Netherlands See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data Participants (4) Sort alphabetically Sort by EU Contribution Expand all Collapse all INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY - SLOVAK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Slovakia EU contribution No data Address Soltesovej 4 040 01 KOSICE See on map Total cost No data ROWETT RESEARCH INSTITUTE United Kingdom EU contribution No data Address GREENBURN ROAD AB21 9SB ABERDEEN See on map Links Website Opens in new window Total cost No data TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF MUNICH Germany EU contribution No data Address Arcisstrasse 21 80333 MUENCHEN See on map Total cost No data THE KIELANOWSKI INSTITUTE OF ANIMAL PHYSIOLOGY AND NUTRITION - POLISH ACADEMY OF SCIENCES Poland EU contribution No data Address Instytucka 3 05 110 JABLONNA See on map Total cost No data
