Online discussions of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms
In decision CP-10/11, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (COP-MOP) recognized the importance of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms. Further, the COP-MOP invited Parties and relevant organizations to submit information on the detection and identification of living modified organisms and requested the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice at its twenty-sixth meeting to prepare a recommendation on the need to update Biosafety Technical Series 05: Training Manual on the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms in the Context of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Furthermore, the COP-MOP requested the Executive Secretary to continue the work mandated in decision CP-9/11, such as continuing online discussions of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms.
Based on the above, through notification 2023-099, Parties, other Governments and relevant organizations were invited to nominate participants to the online discussions of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms. The online discussions will take place from 17 to 28 November 2023 and consist of the following four topics, which will run simultaneously:
Topic 1: New techniques for detecting and identifying LMOs
Topic 2: Experience with detecting and identifying newly developed and unauthorized LMOs
Topic 3: Lessons learned from national and regional laboratory collaborations
Topic 4: Addressing capacity-building needs
The discussions will be co-moderated by: Ms. Raja Chaghoumi from Tunisia and Ms. Gretta Abou-Sleymane from Lebanon.
As a kind reminder, when posting their interventions, participants are requested to provide their source of information, indicating if it is coming from a publication, their own work, or other type of source. When sharing publications, kindly provide the DOI (or URL) of the publication.
The online discussions have been extended until Tuesday 28 November 2023 17:00 (UTC -5).
Table of Contents
Topic 1: New techniques for detecting and identifying LMOs
Welcome to the online discussions of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms.
My name is Raja Chalghoumi, I am an agronomist with a Ph.D. in Agronomic Sciences and Bioengineering. Currently, I am an Associate Professor in Animal Sciences at the College of Agriculture - University of Carthage – Tunisia. Moreover, I am a certified professional in Biorisk Management and Biosecurity, a member of the Tunisian Biosafety Technical Commission, and a member of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Risk Assessment and Risk Management.
Under this first topic, I would like to understand better the new techniques for detecting and identifying LMOs. From the discussions of the Network in 2019, next-generation sequencing and digital PCR were examples of two new techniques that were in use in some LMO analysis laboratories. Additionally, members of this Network identified isothermal techniques as being under development. Thus, it would be important to understand better developments since 2019. In this regard, I would like to ask you to keep in mind the following:
- What progress has been made with the implementation of next-generation sequencing and digital PCR in LMO analysis?
- Are there isothermal techniques now in use? What recent developments have been made with respect to these techniques?
- Are there any new analytical techniques that have been developed or implemented since 2019 that could be applied to detection and identification of LMOs? If so, what are they?
I look forward to your insights.
Raja Chalghoumi
Topic 2: Experience with detecting and identifying newly developed and unauthorized LMOs
Welcome to the online discussions of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms.
My name is Raja Chalghoumi, I am an agronomist with a Ph.D. in Agronomic Sciences and Bioengineering. Currently, I am an Associate Professor in Animal Sciences at the College of Agriculture - University of Carthage – Tunisia. Moreover, I am a certified professional in Biorisk Management and Biosecurity, a member of the Tunisian Biosafety Technical Commission, and a member of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) on Risk Assessment and Risk Management
Under this second topic, I would like to gather information on your experiences detecting and identifying newly developed and unauthorized LMOs. From the discussions of the Network in 2019, detecting and identifying newly developed and unauthorized LMOs, as well as LMOs with unknown sequences, were noted as challenges for Parties. It was suggested that this could relate to new genetic elements and new species used to develop LMOs, among other things. Further, in decision CP-10/11, the COP-MOP recognized the need for capacity-building on detecting and identifying unauthorized LMOs. Given the recognized relevance of this topic, I would like to invite participants to share information related to the following:
- Could you describe your experience with the detection and identification of newly developed LMOs?
- Similarly, what experience can you share regarding the detection and identification of unauthorized LMOs?
- To overcome the challenges faced, what steps did you take, or analytical tools did you implement?
- What challenges do you foresee in the near future for these types of LMOs?
I look forward to your valuable interventions.
Raja Chalghoumi
Topic 3: Lessons learned from national and regional laboratory collaborations
Welcome to the online discussions of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms.
My name is Gretta Abou-Sleymane. I work at the LMOs/GMOs testing laboratory in Lebanon and with my friends from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, we established the MENA Network of GMOs laboratories. I am glad to moderate topic 3: Lessons learned from national and regional laboratory collaborations.
Under this third topic, I would like to understand better the lessons learned from national and regional laboratories. When considering how challenges could be overcome and global capacity could be improved, national and regional collaborations, such as the establishment of networks of laboratories, were suggested by some members of this Network during the online discussions in 2019. Further, in decision CP-10/11, the COP-MOP encouraged Parties to continue to cooperate to develop regional networks of laboratories to facilitate the exchange of experience, sharing of information and building of expertise in the field. In light of the above, it could be considered important to understand best practices and build upon previous experiences with laboratory collaboration. Thus, participants are kindly requested to consider the following points under this discussion topic:
- Are there national or regional networks of laboratories operating collaboratively?
- What lessons have been learned from these experiences, either nationally or internationally?
- What opportunities exist for further development?
I look forward to fruitful discussions.
Gretta Abou-Sleymane
Topic 4: Addressing capacity-building needs
Welcome to the online discussions of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms.
My name is Gretta Abou Sleymane. I work at the LMOs/GMOs testing laboratory in Lebanon and I am glad to moderate topic 4 of the online discussions of the Network of Laboratories for the Detection and Identification of Living Modified Organisms.
At its tenth meeting, the COP-MOP adopted a new Implementation Plan and Capacity-building Action Plan in decisions CP-10/3 and CP-10/4, respectively. Further, in decision CP-10/11 on detection and identification of living modified organisms, the COP-MOP noted goals A.6 to A.8 in both plans and the related capacity-building activities. Some of the activities, among others, include providing training on: LMO documentation, sampling, detection and identification to relevant stakeholders; monitoring of illegal transboundary movement of LMOs; handling, transport, packaging, and identification of LMOs to relevant competent national authorities; and methodologies and protocols for sampling, detection and identification of LMOs. In addition, the COP-MOP also identified facilitating access to and establish infrastructure for detection and identification of LMOs, including accredited laboratories, certified reference materials and consumables, and establishing, strengthening and maintaining networks of laboratories for LMO detection and identification as relevant capacity-building activities.
Furthermore, in decision CP-10/11, the COP-MOP recognized the need for capacity-building activities on new detection techniques, as well as on detecting and identifying unauthorized living modified organisms. With this in mind, participants are kindly invited to share information on the following points:
- What are the capacity-building needs, particularly for newly developed and unauthorized LMOs?
- What could be concrete solutions for addressing these needs?
- In your opinion, what is the most effective measure that could be taken to address gaps in capacity?
I look forward to your valuable interventions.
Gretta Abou-Sleymane
