• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.81-85
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• 2015

Molecular characterization technology in genetically modified organisms, in addition to how transgenic biotechnologies are developed now require full transparency to assess the risk to living modified and non-modified organisms. Next generation sequencing (NGS) methodology is suggested as an effective means in genome characterization and detection of transgenic insertion locations. In the present study, we applied NGS to insert transgenic loci, specifically the epidermal growth factor (EGF) in genetically modified rice cells. A total of 29.3 Gb (${\sim}72{\times}coverage$) was sequenced with a $2{\times}150bp$ paired end method by Illumina HiSeq2500, which was consecutively mapped to the rice genome and T-vector sequence. The compatible pairs of reads were successfully mapped to 10 loci on the rice chromosome and vector sequences were validated to the insertion location by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. The EGF transgenic site was confirmed only on chromosome 4 by PCR. Results of this study demonstrated the success of NGS data to characterize the rice genome. Bioinformatics analyses must be developed in association with NGS data to identify highly accurate transgenic sites.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.360-365
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• 2009

Over the last five years, we have conducted research on risk assessment of domestically developed genetically modified (GM) crops and found a number of factors which could delay risk assessment process. In this review, we described such cases and discussed the problem of transgene cassette integration, the lack of information on vectors, the poor quality control in seed production and absence of bioinformatic analysis on amino acid sequence homology before GM crop development. To solve these problems, we have suggested the introduction of the screening system of elite event before risk assessment process and quality control strategies for GM seed production. In addition, we suggested that the developers of GM crops should understand the importance of risk assessment and management for the commercialization of those crops and consider the biological and ecological characteristics of host plants. Consistent communications may need to be established between GM crop developers, risk assessors and risk managers at the initial stages of GM crop development to reduce trial-and-errors.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.1051-1065
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• 2021

Recent times have seen sustained increases in genetically modified (GM) crops not only for cultivation but also for the utility of food and feed worldwide. Domestically, commercial planting and the accidental or unintentional release of living modified (LM) crops into the environment are not approved. Many detection methods had been devised in an effort to realize effective management of the safety of agricultural genetic resources. In order to develop event-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) markers for LM crops, we analyzed the genetic information of LM crops. Genetic components introduced into crops are of key importance to provide a basis for the development of detection methods for LM crops. To this end, a total of 18 varieties from four major LM crop species (maize, canola, cotton, and soybeans) were subjected to an analysis. The genetic components included introduced genes, promoters, terminators and selection markers. Thus, if proper monitoring techniques and single or multiplex PCR strategies that rely on selection markers can be established, such an accomplishment can be regarded as a feasible solution for the safe management of staple crop resources.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.194-201
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• 2017

Rapeseed (Brassica napus L.) is an oil crop classified as Brassicaceae, and it is widely grown worldwide. To develop a drought-resistant rapeseed, the ${\beta}$-glucosidase 1 (AtBG1) gene was introduced into rapeseed because drought- and salt-resistance phenotypes were observed when the AtBG1 gene was overexpressed in arabidopsis. Newly developed genetically modified crop must be proved to be safe. Safety assessments are based on the historical usage and scientific reports of a crop. In this study, we examined the potential acute oral toxicity of AtBG1 protein expressed in genetically modified (GM) rapeseed and calculated the minimum lethal dose at 6 weeks in both male and female ICR mice. AtBG1 protein was fed at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight in five male and five female mice according to the marginal capacity concentration of OECD, 2,000 mg/15 ml/kg. Mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight changes were monitored for 14 days after dosing, and postmortem necropsy was performed on day 14. This study showed that no deaths occurred in the test group, and AtBG1 protein did not result in variations in common symptoms, body weight, and postmortem findings between the two groups. This showed that the minimum lethal dose of AtBG1 protein expressed in transgenic rapeseed exceed 2,000 mg/kg body weight in both sexes.

• Journal of Ecology and Environment
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.397-403
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• 2015

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important feeding crop in Asia, and utilization of genetically modified (GM) rice is highly demanding. For co-existence of GM rice and non-GM rice, the proper confinement measures should be provided. Thus, we surveyed gene flow from herbicide resistant GM rice to the conventional rice cultivars in the field tests. Gene flow frequency decreased with increasing distance between the pollen donor and recipients and did not exceed more than 1% even at the nearest distance. In single recipient model plot, a maximum gene flow frequency was observed at the shortest distance and hybrid was detected up to 12 m from the pollen donor. The direction of gene was coincided with the dominant wind direction. Gene flow assessment to multiple recipient plots was conducted under the high raining season by chance, and abrupt decline of gene flow frequency and maximum distance were resulted. According to the survey results, current regulation for isolation distance is reasonable for environmental safety or for general crop production. However, we suggest an alternative measure for GM rice cultivation that should be supplemented to overcome the out of estimation and in the environment asking higher security levels.

• Weed & Turfgrass Science
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.305-311
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• 2014

The cultivation area and use of genetically modified (GM) crops have been increased continuously over the world. Seed distribution and transgenes to environmental ecosystem is one of the most important factors in risk assessment and risk management of GM crop. Safe management for the development and commercialization of GM crops is required according to The Act on Transboundary Movements of Living Modified Organisms,etc (LMO Act) in Korea. This study was conducted to setup the environmental monitoring system of GM zoysiagrass (event JG21 and JG21-MS). The monitoring was performed in 4 GMO confined fields, Sungwhan, Ochang, Jeju University and Jeju Namwon. In the result of monitoring, we could not found any gene flow and distribution of GM zoysiagrass in the 3 fields, but one spill of JG21 was found in the Namwon field in 2012. These results suggest that continuous monitoring is necessary to detect the occurrence of GM zoysiagrass for preventing genetic contamination in natural environment.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Crop Science Conference
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• 2017.10a
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• pp.256-256
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• 2017

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.159-165
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• 2015

The cultivation area and use of genetically modified (GM) crops have been increased continuously over the world and concerns about the potential risks of GM crops are also increasing. One of the major concern in risk assessment is the possible development of hybrids through interspecific and intergeneric crosses with related species. This study was conducted to investigate the pollinator have an influence on insect-mediated gene transfer from GM soybeans. Hybrid was induced from GM soybeans by honeybee and western flower thrips, and non-GM soybeans were used as pollen receptor. The analysis for gene-flow was conducted by herbicide selection, immunostrip test, and PCR analysis. In the result of the analysis, three hybrids were detected on the distance 15, 75, 105 cm from pollen source in western flower thrips treatment. In honeybee treatment, one hybrid was detected in the farthest distance (300 cm). These results suggested honeybee and western flower thrips have a possibility they can transfer the introduced gene from GM soybeans to non-GM soybeans.

• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.248-257
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• 2018

Overexpression of AtCYP78A7, a gene encoding a cytochrome P450 protein, has been reported to improve tolerance to drought stress in genetically modified (GM) rice (Oryza sativa L.). The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential allergenicity and acute oral toxicity of the AtCYP78A7 protein expressed in GM rice. Bioinformatics analysis of the amino acid sequence of AtCYP78A7 did not identify any similarities with any known allergens or toxins. It showed that no known allergen had more than a 35% amino acid sequence homology with the AtCYP78A7 protein over an 80 amino acid window or more than 8 consecutive identical amino acids. The gene encoding the AtCYP78A7 protein was cloned in the pGEX-4T-1 vector and expressed in E. coli. Then, the AtCYP78A7 protein was purified and analyzed for acute oral toxicity. The AtCYP78A7 protein was fed at a dose of 2,000 mg/kg body weight in mice, and the changes in mortalities, clinical findings, and body weight were monitored for 14 days after the dosing. Necropsy was carried out on day 14. The protein did not cause any adverse effects when it was orally administered to mice at 2000 mg/kg body weight. These results indicate that the AtCYP78A7 protein expressed in GM rice would not be a potential allergen or toxin.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.335-343
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• 2015

One of the primary concerns about the environmental risks of genetically modified (GM) crops is that they may have adverse effects on the local arthropod communities. In this study, we investigated whether the arthropod diversity and community structure in fields of GM rice tolerant to protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)-inhibiting herbicides differ from those in non-GM (control) rice fields. The aim of this study was to assess the potential adverse effects of GM rice on the local arthropod communities. During the growing seasons in the study period, we collected arthropods from both fields by using yellow sticky traps and compared the diversity and community structure of arthropods from the two sites. Overall, the GM rice had no significant effect on the diversity of the local arthropod communities. In addition, multivariate analyses (permutational multivariate analysis of variance and nonmetric multidimensional scaling) showed that the structures of arthropod communities were not affected by the rice genotype (GM vs. non-GM), although these comparisons were made using data obtained at different sampling dates.