PrepGEM™ and Insect DNA detection
Dr. Shelley Ball, Bio-protection Centre, Lincoln University
6 August 2007 - Exotic pest species have the potential to severely harm New Zealand’s primary industries of agriculture, forestry and fisheries as well as damage its unique natural resources. Researchers at the Bio-protection Centre, based at Lincoln University, are pioneering a new approach for biosecurity which identifies exotic species using their DNA. Called “DNA barcoding”, this approach involves sequencing a specific region of DNA from unknown species intercepted at New Zealand’s borders and matching it against a growing database containing sequences of species from around the world. This approach allows researchers to identify high-risk pest insects, such as gypsy moth and fruit flies, which often hitch-hike their way to New Zealand. Instead of taking several days to months for an identification based on morphology (the appearance of the organism) DNA barcoding can do the job in under 24 hours. The Bio-protection Centre researchers have been using ZyGEM’s new product, prepGEM, to extract DNA from insect specimens intercepted at New Zealand’s borders. prepGEM is rapid, easy to use, and is performed in one step. The researchers hope that this streamlined process can one day be combined with the use of toaster- sized DNA sequencers (currently under development in the United States), making it feasible for DNA-based identification to be done at ports around New Zealand.
Richard Newcomb, Hort Research, Auckland
It is important for New Zealand to detect insect pests on the produce that we import. The identification of insects on export produce is also critical as many of our overseas markets will not accept produce if it is contaminated with certain insects. The rapid identification of these insect species is essential so that produce can be sent to the correct market without undue delay. At HortResearch researchers have been using the ZyGEM product PrepGEM to rapidly extract DNA for PCR-based diagnostics of insect species, especially scale insects that are sometimes found on kiwifruit to be exported. In a one step process scale are loaded into an instrument and the ZyGEM prepGEM added. After incubation and heat-treatment an sample is then able to identify the insect. This simple method will save time and money and will contribute to maintaining important markets for New Zealand's horticultural exports.