Qiudeng Que
Ph.D. Group Leader, Crop Transformation and Analysis, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC.
Expert Bio
Dr. Qiudeng Que obtained his Ph.D. in Biological Science from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying plant viruses. He did post-doctoral training at the University of California-Davis on transgene expression and silencing. He has been with Syngenta for 20 years and has contributed to various technology development efforts.
Studies, Articles and Answers
Showing 3 out of 3 results
Question
Q: What are the scientific advancements GMOs have under gone?
A: In terms of the science behind the technology to create GMOs, scientists have a much better understanding how a transgene is delivered and stably integrated into a chromosome (or genome). Many GMO products, such as Bt corn, were made using Agrobacterium cells to deliver useful trait genes into the plant cells. Scientists were able to dissect the different steps of this natural gene delivery system encoded by Agrobacterium. We now have a good understanding of the interactions between Agrobacterium and plant cells that are critical to enable successful delivery of transgenes, as well as the rege [...]
A: A former response to a similar question answered by Dave Kovalic, Regulatory New Technology Lead at Monsanto, also provides information on scientific advancements and how they [Monsanto] affirm safety prior to targeted vector insertion. “For context, it is important to recognize that random genome insertions have been naturally occurring in crops over the ~10,000-year history of agriculture. In some crops, more than 90 percent of the genome consists of these types of random insertions. It is worth noting that during this long period of time, these “modified” crops ha [...]
GMO BasicsQuestion
Q: How difficult is it for scientists to genetically modify food?
A: Genetically modified food refers to edible matters that are genetically modified, or contain components from a genetically modified organism (GMO). Genetically modified organisms can be a crop plant or a microorganism. It is relatively easy to genetically modify microorganisms. For example, genetically modified microbes are used to produce enzymes used for making cheese and other dairy products. On the other hand, genetic modification of crop plants such as corn and soybeans is much more difficult and may take a long time. Usually, only a few strains of a particular crop can be genetically mod [...]
GMO BasicsQuestion
Q: Are there dangers for scientists working on genetically engineered plants, if so what are they?
A: Production of genetically engineered plants, aka, plant transformation, is probably one of the safest techniques in a science laboratory. In fact, plant transformation in a lab is safer than most home kitchens. Most genetic modification that takes place these days is done through Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. Agrobacterium is a very common soil bacterium (using horizontal gene transfer to cause tumors in plants) and is not a human pathogen. Occasionally, particle bombardment is also used to deliver DNA with a gene gun apparatus that uses pressurized helium gas. The helium gas is stor [...]
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