Monitoring Genetically Modified Rice Using Multiplex PCR Coupled with Universal DNA Microarray

We developed a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) coupled with ligation detection reaction and universal array system for screening genetically modified rice and further identifying specific transgenes in rice. Three common elements in transgenic rice (CaMV 35S promoter, FMV 35S promoter and nos terminator) with species and internal controls (rice actin, 18S rRNA) were used for screening transgenic rice from un-transgenic rice. Seven event-specific elements (Cpt1, Bt, Irp, Bar, OsVTE1, Xa21 and RCH10) were used for identifying specific transgenes in rice. This method was demonstrated to be effective and high throughput for the detection of transgenic rice. It can be applied not only for detecting commercial transgenic rice, but also for monitoring unauthorized transgenic rice.