英语科普小知识 DNA测试可以检测出食物所含成分.docVIP

Almost all foodstuffs contain the genetic material of those animal and plant species that were used in their preparation. Scientists at the Institute of Molecular Genetics, Genetic Security Research and Consulting at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) have developed a novel screening procedure that provides for highly sensitive, quantifiable analysis of animal, plant, and microbial substances present in foodstuffs. For this, the researchers have adapted the latest techniques of DNA sequencing, which are otherwise currently employed in human genetics to?unravel（解开，阐明）?the genetic information of thousands of patients.? ? The innovative aspect in comparison with conventional DNA detection methods such aspolymerase（聚合酶）?chain reaction, or PCR for short, is that by means of bioinformatic analysis of all biological DNA data available worldwide we can identify the presence of material from species that we would not otherwise expect. And, using a simple digital method of counting short snippets of DNA, we will also probably be able to determine the relative incidence of individual species-related material more precisely than was previously the case, explained molecular geneticist Professor Dr. Thomas Hankeln, who developed the method in collaboration with bioinformaticist Professor Bertil Schmidt, Ph.D. and colleagues at the German and Swiss food control authorities. ? In pilot studies, the researchers were able to use the new DNA method to detect the presence of a 1% content of horse meat in products and to determine the actual amount with a high level of precision. The Mainz researchers even found slight traces of the DNA of added mustard,?lupin（羽扇豆）, and soy in a test sausage prepared for calibration purposes, something that could also be of interest with regard to allergy testing of foods. ? Because of its potential, the method -- dubbed All-Food-Seq by its developers -- has already attracted the attention of food inspection experts. This method is very intere