A universal quantification of transgenic soybean event DAS-68416-4 using duplex digital PCR

A platform for precise quantification of gene editing products based on microfluidic chip-based digital PCR

The new generation of gene editing technologies, primarily based on CRISPR/Cas9 and its derivatives, allows for more precise editing of organisms. However, when the editing efficiency is low, only a small fraction of gene fragments is edited, leaving behind minimal traces and making it difficult to detect and evaluate the editing effects. Although a series of technologies and methods have been developed, they lack the ability for precise quantification and quantitative analysis of these products. Digital polymerase chain reaction (dPCR) offers advantages such as high precision and sensitivity, making it suitable for absolute quantification of nucleic acid samples. In the present study, we developed a novel platform for precise quantification of gene editing products based on microfluidic chip-based dPCR. The results indicated that our assay accurately identified different types of edited samples within a variety of different types, including more complex genomic crops such as tetraploid rapeseed and soybean (highly repetitive sequence). The sensitivity of this detection platform was as low as 8.14 copies per μL, with a detection limit of 0.1%. These results demonstrated the superior performance of the platform, including high sensitivity, low detection limit, and wide applicability, enabling precise quantification and assessment of gene editing efficiency. In conclusion, microfluidic chip-based dPCR was used as a powerful tool for precise quantification and assessment of gene editing products.

Establishment and Validation of Reference Genes of Brassica napus L. for Digital PCR Detection of Genetically Modified Canola

As an effective tool for genetically modified organism (GMO) quantification in complex matrices, digital PCR (dPCR) has been widely used for the quantification of genetically modified (GM) canola events; however, little is known about the quantification of GM canola events using endogenous reference gene (ERG) characteristics by dPCR. To calculate and quantify the content of GM canola using endogenous reference gene (ERG) characteristics, the suitability of several ERGs of canola, such as cruciferin A (CruA), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (BnAcc), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP), cruciferin storage (BnC1), oleoyl hydrolase (Fat(A)), and high-mobility-group protein I/Y (HMG-I/Y), was investigated by droplet dPCR. BnAcc and BnC1 were more specific and stable in copy number in the genome of Brassica napus L. than the other genes. By performing intra-laboratory validation of the suitability of ERG characteristics for the quantification of GM canola events, the ddPCR methods for BnAcc and BnC1 were comprehensively demonstrated in dPCR assays. The methods could provide technical support for GM labeling regulations.

Digital PCR: What Relevance to Plant Studies?

Simple Summary

Digital PCR is a third-generation technology based on the subdivision of the analytical sample into numerous partitions that are amplified individually. This review presents the major applications of digital PCR (dPCR) technology developed so far in the field of plant science. In greater detail, dPCR assays have been developed to trace genetically modified plant components, pathogenic and non-pathogenic microorganisms, and plant species. Other applications have concerned the study of the aspects of structural and functional genetics.

Abstract

Digital PCR (dPCR) is a breakthrough technology that able to provide sensitive and absolute nucleic acid quantification. It is a third-generation technology in the field of nucleic acid amplification. A unique feature of the technique is that of dividing the sample into numerous separate compartments, in each of which an independent amplification reaction takes place. Several instrumental platforms have been developed for this purpose, and different statistical approaches are available for reading the digital output data. The dPCR assays developed so far in the plant science sector were identified in the literature, and the major applications, advantages, disadvantages, and applicative perspectives of the technique are presented and discussed in this review.