Sequencing strategies for the traceability of GMOs : methods and related quality aspects

GMO analysis may increasingly rely on DNA sequencing, a technology that was originally used as a confirmatory step and is now considered for routine testing. However, in order to fully support the enforcement of European GMO legislation, this evolution requires harmonization, standardisation and validation of selected methods. In this context, this report from the European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) seeks to evaluate the impact of sequencing technologies on GMO analysis, itself impacted by the advent of new genomic techniques. In addition, the report discusses quality criteria and good practice in the use of DNA sequencing data and hardware, with a focus on GMO-related aspects further illustrated by four realistic scenarios. Finally, by identifying areas requiring further development, the authors propose a set of recommendations towards the establishment of minimum performance parameters for GMO analyses including DNA sequencing techniques.