Environmental risk assessment of RNAi-based genetically modified plants

Genetically modified (GM) plants based on RNA interference (RNAi) exploit a cell-specific molecular mechanism to inhibit the activity of certain genes (also known as gene silencing). These can be either target genes in the GM plant itself or in target organisms, e.g., insects. RNAi GM plants are being developed increasingly and are thus becoming more important for environmental risk assessment.

However, there are currently no adequate guidelines or methods for environmental risk assessment, either for comprehensive molecular characterization of RNAi-specific effects in GM plants or for risk assessment of effects on biodiversity. This applies in particular to effects on non-target organisms.

The same applies to tools for the transient modification of organisms, which do not permanently alter the DNA sequence itself but can or are intended to cause heritable, so-called epigenetic, effects. These include applications such as RNAi-based plant protection products that are applied externally. Here, too, as with RNAi GM plants, comparable effects on the environment are expected.

The objectives of the project are to develop an overview of the development status of RNAi-based GM plants and other RNAi applications in the field in order to classify development trends and the significance of individual fields of application. Based on this, possible unintended effects on the GM plant and on the environment, with a focus on non-target organisms, are to be identified.

In addition, biotechnological tools for the transient modification of organisms will be recorded in order to identify any new challenges for their regulation and risk assessment. The results of the project will contribute to an appropriate environmental risk assessment of RNAi-based GM plants and supplement corresponding concepts. The project also serves to proactively classify the relevance of new biotechnological developments (especially transient modifications).

Under the leadership of Dr. Sebastian Eilebrecht, several scientists from the Applied Ecology (Schmallenberg) and Molecular Biotechnology (Aachen) departments are working together across locations to achieve the project goals.