Team:TzuChiU Formosa/Humanpractice/review

A review written by Dr. Chen Chun-Yao

Prof. Chun-Yao Chen
PhD in Comparative Biology
Cornell University, USA

Associate Professor
Department of Life Sciences
Tzu Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan
Field : Bacteriology, Microbiology, Ecology

Is genetically modified crop (GMC) ecologically safe? More research is needed.
Chun-Yao Chen, Department of Life Science, Tzu-Chi University

This issue can be examined at four levels.

Is genetically modified crop (GMC) ecologically safe? More research is needed.
Chun-Yao Chen, Department of Life Science, Tzu-Chi University

This issue can be examined at four levels.
1. Will the GMC survive and outcompete local plants?These crop species are generally less fit in the environments when compared with the indigenous species, therefore we probably spare ourselves from worrying about their direct impact on local community.

2. Will the indigenous plant species acquire the transgene? It is widely accepted that genes can be transferred from crops to their wild relatives[1]. The resulting hybridization, if followed by polyploidization, can stabilize and keep the gene in the population. Changes in relative fitness of this genetic transfer and the potential ecological consequences, as well as how to streamline decision-making processes for transgenes that could cause unwanted ecological change, has becoming an emerging focus of research [2].

The highlight of the event is the plasmid isolation and enzyme digestion workshop held on the 2nd day. All the participants were given a chance to perform in the activity. We, as the tutors assisted them throughout the whole process. By the end of the workshop, they learned to cut a plasmid with restriction enzyme, to paste DNA with ligase and PCR amplification.


↑2nd day of the workshop wet-lab day:


↑Ting-ting is explaining to her how to use a pippette


↑Andrew is demonstrating the step in the fume hood


↑Plasmid isolation


↑Ting-ting is assisting the participant to add TBE buffer