Past Discussions 2013

Dear All,

Thank you for your participation and feedback. This discussion is now closed. We will post a summary of the main points raised in a few days.

The next round of discussion will start on the 14th July, as per the calendar of activities (http://bch.cbd.int/onlineconferences/portal_detection/calendar.shtml) where the discussion will be on "Emerging techniques for the detection of LMOs" and "Challenges and progress in the detection of LMOs unintentionally released into the environment and unauthorized LMOs"

Best regards,
The Secretariat

Dear Participants of the Laboratory Network,

Thank you for your participation and vibrant exchange of information and the challenges you face in your laboratories with respect to accessing reliable certified reference materials (CRMs).
Several participants indicated some sources where CRMs could be found. Several participants also noted how access to the required CRMs is hindered as a result of logistical issues such as costs, unreliable quality, and long, unpredictable delivery times.

Furthermore CRMs that are available for purchase do not necessarily satisfy laboratories’ need for CRMs that originate from locally produced LMOs or those that are from tropical LM crops. Several participants have indicated that, as a solution to these issues, they have turned to preparing their own CRMs according to their needs. There was strong interest in this solution and calls from participants to generate guidelines outlining the best practices for laboratories to generate their own CRMs, e.g. matrix CRMs or plasmid CRMs. However, this path is not without its drawbacks, which is primarily having access to the raw materials needed to generate such CRMs as well as possible costs associated with it.

There was also a strong support for the proposal to create a portal where information on commercially, and possibly locally, available CRMs/RMs can be collected and accessed by laboratories. This information could include for example suppliers, costs, and experiences from users on the quality of the CRMs to allow colleagues in the field to have easy access to a single repository of information.

Finally, the discussion touched upon issues regarding the development of detection methodologies, and how to access sequence information or appropriate literature on the best practices to follow for the development of these new methodologies. Participants are reminded that there is an open discussion on the “Compilation of laboratory methods for the detection and identification of LMOs” where such information can be shared with colleagues.

We would like to thank everyone for their contributions and we look forward to your participation in the next round of discussions staring on the 14th July on the topics of “Emerging techniques for the detection of LMOs” and “Challenges and progress in the detection of LMOs unintentionally released into the environment and unauthorized LMOs”.

Best regards,
Dina