一种消除转基因植物潜在风险的新技术

A Novel Technology for Removing Potential Risks from Genetically Modified Plants

多年来,科学家们一直为寻求解决转基因植物安全性问题的有效工具而不懈努力。美国康涅狄格大学华人科学家李义教授领导的研究小组,经过6年多的深入研究,在此领域实现了重大突破,2007年发表了"外源基因清除"技术(Gene-deletor)。该技术整合了Cre/LoxP和FLP/FRT双重组系统,用器官或组织特异启动子驱动FLP/Cre,在外源基因发挥功能之后,可将其从转基因植物的花粉、果实和种子中彻底清除,可有效防止转基因植物的外源基因向非转基因植物或杂草的逃逸,从而消除公众对转基因植物生态和食品安全的担忧。着重介绍了"外源基因清除"技术(Gene-deletor)的概念、作用机制及其潜在应用。

Scientists have been searching an effective tool for solving the safety issue of GM（genetically modified） plants for many years.The group led by Chinese American scientist Yi Li,a professor at University of Connecticut,made a great breakthrough in this field after 6 years＇ intensive research： his group published the ＂Gene-deletor＂ technology in 2007.The technology was developed from two recombination systems Cre/Loxp and FLP/FRT,and FLP/Cre was driven by Organ/Tissue-specific promoter,all transgenic foreign genes will be thoroughly removed from pollen,fruit and seed after they have accomplished function.It could effectively prevent GM gene flow into non-biotech plants or weeds,and may help alleviate public concerns on ecological risks and food safety caused by GM plants.Here the concept,principle of ＂gene-deletor＂ technology were introduced and its applications in genetic engineering research were discussed.