Molecular biology and genetically modified organism section

Molecular Biology and Genetically Modified Organisms Section was established in 2003 with a view to implementing provisions of legal acts of the European Parliament and Council (EC) No1829/2003 and No 1830/2003, stipulating key requirements for safe usage of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and their products:
- to ensure establishment of GMO in all stages of their delivery to market and
- to control GMO disseminated for commercial and any other purposes.

A team of qualified specialists works in the MB&GMO section: doctors-geneticists, masters, bachelors-bioengineers, biologists and veterinarians. The above specialists upgraded their qualification skills in Germany, Italy, Norway and Denmark where they have acquired the newest molecular research methods.

Since 2004 the Molecular Biology and Genetically Modified Organisms section is a member of the network of GMO laboratories of the European Union.

Specialists of the department take part in inter-institutional and international commissions, discussions, workshops and conferences. Together with laboratories of other countries specialists of the department participate in the EU projects in legalising standard work procedures for genetically modified maze and rise. The section also is in close relationship with the Chinese scientists in the sphere of identification of genetically modified potatoes.

The Molecular Biology and Genetically Modified Organisms section is a background research institution of GMO or their products, executing the control of GMO and their delivery to the market and state laboratory control on security and use of foodstuffs, food supplements, feedstuffs, plant seeds, soy, maze, rise etc.

The Section carries out qualitative and quantitative research for identification of genetic modification of all the genetically modified foodstuffs, veterinary preparations and industrial feedstuffs. It participates in the process for identification of risk to health of people, animals, environment, plants and agriculture and in the monitoring activity. It assures, according to the standards of the European Union, the continuous control of quality of GMO tests.

The Section has modern equipment and devices for execution of polymerase chain reaction, including the Real-Time PCR System and Genetic Analyser. The above equipment provides for identification of a required sequence of DNA, identification of very small amounts (10 copies) of the modified DNA in the tested sample and decoding of a modified DNA sequence.