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Published on 28 February 2023

B/CH/18/01 (B18001): Application to release genetically modified wheat strains with improved mildew resistance for experimental purposes

Request authorised March 14, 2019

The current status of the application can be seen at:

Publication in the Federal Law Gazette (BBl):

Applicant: University of Zurich, Institute of Plant and Microbial Biology

Organism: Wheat

Property: mildew resistance

Genetic modification:

- Mildew resistance gene

  • Promoter: Ubiquitin promoter from maize;
  • Mildew resistance gene: Pm3, Pm8 and Pm17 from wheat and rye; Pm17 and all Pm3 alleles with insertion of a 27 bp long DNA sequence, which codes for the HA epitope tag, before the stop codon; Pm8 with insertion of a 30 bp long DNA sequence, which codes for the myc epitope tag;
  • Terminator: Nopalin synthase termination sequence from Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

- Marker gene

  • Promoter: Ubiquitin promoter from maize;
  • Selection marker gene: manA from Escherichia coli;
  • Terminator: Nopalin synthase termination sequence from Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Purpose of experiment:

  • To research the functioning of Pm resistance genes;
  • Clarification of biosafety aspects related to the release of transgenic wheat carrying Pm genes;
  • Assessment of the resistance of lines with different Pm genes and gene combinations.

Location of experiment:

  • Protected site of Agroscope at the site of Zurich, Reckenholz, Reckenholzstrasse 191, 8046 Zurich

Duration of experiment: spring 2019 to autumn 2023

Legal basis:

  • Gene Technology Act (GTA)
  • Release Ordinance (RO)

Decision:

Monitoring: