Event-specific method for the quantification of cotton MON 88913 using real-time PCR : validation report and protocol

The JRC as Community Reference Laboratory for GM Food and Feed (CRL-GMFF), established by Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003, in collaboration with the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL), has carried out a collaborative study to assess the performance of a quantitative event-specific method to detect and quantify the MON 88913 transformation event in cotton DNA (unique identifier MON-88913-8). The collaborative trial was conducted according to internationally accepted guidelines (1, 2). In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003 of 22 September 2003 "on genetically modified food and feed" and with Regulation (EC) No 641/2004 of 6 April 2004 "on detailed rules for the implementation of Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003", Monsanto provided the detection method and the samples: genomic DNA from cotton seeds harbouring the MON 88913 event (line ST 4664) and from conventional cotton seeds (line ST 474). The JRC prepared the validation samples (calibration samples and blind samples at unknown GM percentage [DNA/DNA]). The collaborative trial involved twelve laboratories from nine European countries. The results of the international collaborative trial met the ENGL performance requirements. The method is, therefore, considered applicable to the control samples provided, in accordance with the requirements of Annex I-2.C.2 to Regulation (EC) No 641/2004. The results of the collaborative study are made publicly available at http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/.