Past Activities 2014 - 2016
Return to the list of threads...
|
Forum closed. No more comments will be accepted on this forum. |
Opening of discussion
[#6546]
Dear Forum participants, The objective of our current discussion is to provide guidance to the participants of the upcoming face-to-face Workshop of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of LMOs on elements to consider in the design of content for training workshops on the detection and identification of living modified organisms. The Secretariat has prepared a background document outlining some of the topics that may be relevant to the detection and identification of LMOs. Participants are invited to review the background document containing the proposed outline (available at http://bch.cbd.int/detectionlabs/draft_workshop_outline.docx?download), and provide suggestions on how to improve the proposed content of the capacity-building workshops. The discussion will take place for the next two weeks. Your views and feedback on the draft outline will be greatly appreciated. If possible, please post your comments during the early days of the discussion to foster a more lively debate building on the comments of one another. I look forward to your comments and suggestions! Kindest regards, Dina
posted on 2015-03-16 01:00 UTC by Dina Abdelhakim, SCBD
|
Dear Dina, all, In the context of capacity building I am posting, as an example of a successful workshop, the agenda of a capacity building workshop recently held in Trinidad and attended by twelve signatories of the Biosafety protocol from the CARICOM region. The workshop on “Detection Methods for GMOs in the Food Chain” was held at the Institute of Critical Thinking (ICT), The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago on 10-13 February 2015. It was co-organized by the AACCI scientific society (Association of Cereal Chemists: http://www.aaccnet.org) and the University of the West Indies, with the support of United Nations Global Environment fund. This capacity building workshop focused on sampling and detection methods in the context of the Biosafety Protocol. It included discussion of sampling and testing of seeds, plants and grain. Two half-days were spent in the laboratories, where the participants personally carried out testing using both DNA and protein-based approaches, and experienced sampling grain. Best wishes, Ray Shillito
posted on 2015-03-20 13:33 UTC by Dr Raymond Shillito, BASF Corporation
|
Dear Dina and colleagues of the Forum,
Thank you Dina for providing us the background document and thanks Ray for posting the example agenda of a successful capacity building workshop. I think such a workshop Ray suggested could efficiently build and expand the capacity of laboratories, with a focus on technical aspects.
Before conducting detection at a quarantine station or laboratory, we need to consider why we do that and then choose or develop a suitable method, taking also into account its feasibility. (for example, are there any reference material or positive control? Are there any validated detection method? If so, who have it? If not, what can we do? Will the result be fit for a purpose?)
I wonder if all participants in the regional/sub-regional training workshops are engaged in detecting LMOs in their laboratories or not. If those who are responsible for establishing their domestic policy regarding LMO detection/identification will participate in the workshop as well, I think the purpose of detection/identification and the differences among methods are also worth learning or sharing at the workshop in addition to the techniques.
Best regards,
Ayako YOSHIO
posted on 2015-03-26 07:43 UTC by Ayako Yoshio
|
Dear Dina and colleagues of the Forum, Thank you Dina for providing us the background document, in my view the draft outline for the content of regional and sub-regional training workshops should also comprise sampling methods. As we discussed in the past, sampling is a critical issues for the detection and identification of LMOs. Best regards Roberta Onori
posted on 2015-03-26 10:15 UTC by Dr.ssa Roberta Onori, Istituto Superiore Di Sanità (ISS)
|
Dear Dina, thank you and Secretariat for the draft outline. It seems to me that the topics proposed are relevant for the training workshops on LMO detection and identification. The previous two postings lay emphasis on practical aspects of LMO sampling and detection. I would like to add to this list one more important factor that should pay special attention and that could be a narrow bottleneck – statistical approaches. It will be great if the theory and different examples will be given during the trainings. The second moment - sufficient practical part of the trainings directly in the laboratory. With my best wishes, Galina.
posted on 2015-03-26 11:33 UTC by Ms. Galina Mozgova, Belarus
|
Dear Dina, Dear all,
thank you Dina for opening the next round of discussion and colleagues for their useful contributions.
I find the draft content of training workshops on detection and identification of LMOs is very good and involves all necessary elements related to the topic.
I just come with suggestion to bring additional details to the section 2. "Why the need detect LMOs? I would like to have clarification of how the domestic regulation should provide legislative provisions and mandate for detection and identification via inspection and control, monitoring, decision making, emergency respond, custom control etc.
I would also suggest to talk about the administrative arrangements: National Competent Authority-Inspection-Laboratory, roles and responsibilities, bringing the good practices of the countries (ex. EU).
Under the section 4., I would like to have an overview of the express analysis methods that can be useful during the custom control or field monitoring/inspection as ex.
Laboratory accreditation and ISO standards is an issue that we are very much interested to discuss.
I would propose to discuss possible regional and sub-regional collaboration and cooperation on detection and identification, exchange of information, regular trainings, study visits etc.
best wishes, Angela
posted on 2015-03-26 13:21 UTC by Angela Lozan
|
Dear Forum Participants, Many thanks to Ray, Ayako, Roberta, Galina and Angela for their comments on this forum. We are glad to see that there is a positive reception of the proposed outline as well as some excellent suggestions for specific topics that may be pertinent for inclusion in the course outline. We would like to reiterate the invitation for forum participants to review the outline, which is available at https://bch.cbd.int/detectionlabs/draft_workshop_outline.docx?download, and share their views on its content, make suggestions for improvements as well as provide their views on the topic proposals made by our colleagues. Once again we would like to thank all the participants for their engagement and we look forward to a dynamic discussion over the four remaining days of this discussion. Kindest regards, Dina
posted on 2015-03-26 13:57 UTC by Dina Abdelhakim, SCBD
|
Thank you Dina for posting the initial workshop outline
We note that a number of participants have posted some suggestions regarding the ideal content of such a workshop. We have tried to incorporate these suggestions into our proposed outline.
We thank Ayako Yoshio of Japan for her positive comment about the Trinidad workshop. We also particularly note the comments of Ms. Yoshio regarding participants. We agree and have found that it is a key issue to decide who the participants in the regional/sub-regional training workshops should be and what the goal of the workshops is. Our experience is that the local organizations sometimes send those who responsible for establishing their domestic policy, but most often they send the people whose job it is to set up or run the laboratories. Japan makes a good point and we suggest that those who make the regulations need to understand the basic technology, and effect of those regulations on their laboratories and the resources needed to run them. In addition they need to understand the impact on trade.
In considering the workshop outline, we also take note of the comments of Dr. Onori about sampling, and Dr. Mozgova about statistics. In our workshops we have always devoted a significant portion of the time to statistics of sampling, and last year the AACCI with ILSI completed invited workshops in Brazil and Peru that focused on these aspects. In the Trinidad workshop (which is a good template) we included both lectures and hands on demonstrations of sampling. Where possible we combine sampling and lateral flow strip analysis to demonstrate the power of subsampling approaches as described by ISTA, and in published accounts by Japanese and EU authors.
Please find attached our suggestions for a workshop outline that considers these points.
We trust that these comments will contribute positively to the development of the outline of an ideal workshop. Ray Shillito (on behalf of the GIC)
(edited on 2015-03-26 14:03 UTC by Raymond Shillito)
posted on 2015-03-26 14:01 UTC by Dr Raymond Shillito, BASF Corporation
|
POSTED ON BEHALF OF GURINDER RANDHAWA ----------------------------------------------------
Dear Dina, I really liked Raymond Shillito, Bayer CropSciecne's post sent on 20th March regarding the workshop on “Detection Methods for GMOs in the Food Chain” held at the Institute of Critical Thinking in Trinidad and Tobago on 10-13 February 2015 focusing on sampling and detection methods in the context of the Biosafety Protocol. I also strongly feel that we have excellent tools in the lab. for detection of LMOs but need proper guidelines on sampling strategies in context of Biosafety Protocol. Is it possible to share the detailed programe of this workshop and also link where the presentations on sampling strategies may be available. Kind Regards. Gurinder
posted on 2015-03-26 16:34 UTC by Dina Abdelhakim, SCBD
|
POSTED ON BEHALF OF GURINDER RANDHAWA -------------------------------------------------------
Dear Dina,
Thanks a lot for sharing with us the proposed outline of the workshop, I have gone through critically through, you have tried to cover most of the aspects.
I must congratulate for doing wonderful job by putting most of the required stuff in a very systematic manner, especially in section 1. Introduction Detection and identification as it relates to various articles of the Protocol is very important . Similarly in section 4 Experimental design and selection of methods in practice according to the purpose of the analysis is very pertinent.
As I had pointed outed in my earlier mail also that one session need to be covered in Section 4 where we say Sample handling and preparation before that Sampling Strategies in reference to Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety or may be in introduction section 1 also this can be covered.
In section 4.2 there can be two more sessions on · Cost efficient decision support systems e.g. GMO Matrix · User friendly methods to be used on-site or port of the entry e.g. LAMP assays developed for several GM events by research groups in the recent part
If there is one session on measurement of certainty that would be useful.
Section 5 the Introduction to the quality assurance/quality control standards is useful and very comprehensive.
With Kind regards. Gurinder
posted on 2015-03-27 16:01 UTC by Dina Abdelhakim, SCBD
|
POSTED ON BEHALF OF GURINDER RANDHAWA ------------------------------------------------------- Dear Dina, Continuation to my earlier mail, I have further worked on the Draft outline for the content of regional and sub-regional training workshops on the detection and identification of LMOs and have made track changes and attaching the file. You can circulate it or keep the suuggestions which you feel are fine. With Regards. Gurinder
posted on 2015-03-27 16:03 UTC by Dina Abdelhakim, SCBD
|
Thank you Ray for those references they are most useful. Thank you Gurinder for your through analysis of the proposed content for the workshop, this will help us build a comprehensive training workshops. I would like to remind participants that this forum will close on the 29th March at 1:00am GMT. Your expert opinions on the proposed content of the training workshops as well as sharing of case studies and examples of practical exercises that could be carried out during the training are welcome. Participants are also reminded of the upcoming face-to-face workshop of the Network will take place from 9 to 12 June 2015 in Ispra, Italy ( http://www.cbd.int/doc/notifications/2015/ntf-2015-026-bs-ispra-en.docx). Among its objectives, the workshop will develop and fine tune the content for the training on the detection and identification of LMOs, based on the discussions of this forum. I look forward to your input. Kind regards, Dina
(edited on 2015-03-27 16:27 UTC by Dina Abdelhakim)
posted on 2015-03-27 16:21 UTC by Dina Abdelhakim, SCBD
|
Dear Dina, all,
I believe that Gurinder makes a good point about assays that can be done quickly at ports and other transfer points. There should be a good discussion of options for quick testing, including the isothermal DNA methods and the well established lateral flow strips,
Best regards,
Ray Shillito
posted on 2015-03-27 16:31 UTC by Dr Raymond Shillito, BASF Corporation
|
Dear Dina and members of the forum,
Thank you Dina for providing this very useful and comprehensive workshop outline document. I am very happy with it. I would kindly like to suggest minor revisions, mainly additions. Please refer to that in the attached file.
I have included many Gurinder suggestions and I have also tried to accommodate Ayako’s comments on detection strategies and feasibility as per inclusion of topics such as “Experimental strategy and controls (e.g. negative, positive, reference materials, replicates, etc)” and “Limitations of protein-based methods (e.g. cross-reacting antibodies, lack of specific antibodies, sensitivity, availability of commercial kits, etc)”.
Please accept my gratitude for the quality of the document and the comments from all members.
Best regards,
sarah
posted on 2015-03-27 17:28 UTC by Dr. Sarah Agapito-Tenfen, NORCE Norwegian Research Centre
|
Dear colleagues of the on-line forum, First I like to thank Dina for organizing this on-line forum and for the draft document. It is a very good starting point for an outline of a program for capacity building workshops. Several experts have already provided very valuable comments and suggestions. I now took the last version of the document of Sarah and included a few additional points and changes in the order to improve the logical frame. Please allow me to mention as well, that on behalf of the EC, in collaboration with the WHO and other institutions, the JRC (and its EU Reference Laboratory) has conducted since the year 2000 a series of capacity building workshops and training courses on food/feed GMO testing ( http://gmo-crl.jrc.ec.europa.eu/capacitybuilding/default.htm). Their operating experience and know-how as well their existing materials should offer a high value of input for drafting a good program for the announced BCH workshops. Finally, at the meeting in Ispra I think it will be important to discuss, if different programs are needed for the two target groups (national experts responsible for the setting-up the implementation of the domestic policy; national experts responsible for set-up and running of the laboratory). Because these expert groups have separate tasks and functions, workshop programs should address this difference. I feel that the current draft document addresses mainly the laboratory expert group. With kind regards, Lutz -- Federal Office of Consumer Protection & Food Safety Department Genetic Engineering Unit 405 - Traceability, Detection Methods, BCH Mauerstr. 39-42, 10117 Berlin / Germany
posted on 2015-03-30 10:34 UTC by Lutz Grohmann, Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety
|
I totally agree with Lutz that there need to be different programs for the two target groups (national experts responsible for the setting-up the implementation of the domestic policy and the national experts responsible for set-up and running of the laboratory). The present draft outline of the workshop is purely for laboratory expert group. For the policy makers and representatives of national regulatory bodies, its simpler version (with not lot of technicalities and heavy scientific jargons) would be required and may of shorter duration too.
posted on 2015-03-30 11:32 UTC by Ms. Gurinder Jit Randhawa, ICAR-National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
|
I am also totally agree with two last posts. And it seems to me that there is a need for not only different training programs with simplification/complication of direct parts depending on two above-mentioned target groups. For example there is a requirement for separate trainings with complication and filling of the actually demandable parts of the Draft outline for the next target audience: laboratory head/ laboratory administrative bodies (duties: establishment and operation of the laboratory, systems of management and quality, accreditation) and laboratory stuff (highly experienced in sampling, LMO analysis and data interpretation). From this point of view the valuable JRC trainings could be the real good base for the future workshops planning. With best wishes, Galina
posted on 2015-03-30 12:59 UTC by Ms. Galina Mozgova, Belarus
|
|