A shotgun metagenomics approach to detect and characterize unauthorized genetically modified microorganisms in microbial fermentation products.

ABSTRACT: The presence of a genetically modified microorganism (GMM) or its DNA, often harboring antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes, in microbial fermentation products on the market is prohibited by European regulations. GMMs are currently screened for through qPCR assays targeting AMR genes and vectors, and then confirmed by targeting known specific GM constructs/events. However, when the GMM was not previously characterized and an isolate cannot be obtained, its presence cannot be proven. We present a metagenomics approach capable of delivering the proof of presence of a GMM in a microbial fermentation product, with characterization based on the detection of AMR genes and vectors, species and unnatural associations in the GMM genome. In our proof-of-concept study, this approach was performed on

SUBMITTER: Buytaers FE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8991599 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature