Data from: Detection of airborne genetically modified maize pollen by real-time PCR

The cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops has raised in the European Union and other parts of the world numerous concerns about their environmental and economic impact. Especially outcrossing of genetically modified organisms (GMO) was from the beginning a critical issue as airborne pollen has been considered an important way of GMO dispersal. Here, we investigate the use of airborne pollen sampling combined with microscopic analysis and molecular PCR analysis as an approach to monitor GM maize cultivations in a specific area. Field trial experiments in the European Union and South America demonstrated the applicability of the approach under different climate conditions, in rural and semi-urban environment, even at very low levels of airborne pollen. The study documents in detail the sampling of GM pollen, sample DNA extraction and real-time PCR analysis. Our results suggest that this ''GM pollen monitoring by bioaerosol sampling and PCR screening" approach might represent an aid in managing the co-cultivation of GM and non-GM crops, especially in the surveillance of GM-free areas, centres of origin, and natural reserves.

转基因（Genetically Modified, GM）作物的种植在欧盟及全球其他地区引发了诸多关于其环境与经济影响的担忧。尤为核心的是，转基因生物（Genetically Modified Organism, GMO）的异交从伊始便是备受关注的关键问题，因为气传花粉被认为是GMO扩散的重要途径。本研究探讨将气传花粉采样与显微分析、分子聚合酶链式反应（Polymerase Chain Reaction, PCR）分析相结合的方法，用于特定区域内转基因玉米种植情况的监测。欧盟与南美开展的田间试验证实，该方法在不同气候条件下、乡村及半城市化环境中均具备适用性，即便在气传花粉浓度极低的场景下亦是如此。本研究详细记录了转基因花粉采样、样本DNA提取及实时PCR（real-time PCR）分析的完整流程。研究结果表明，这种“基于生物气溶胶采样与PCR筛选的转基因花粉监测方法”可作为辅助手段，助力转基因与非转基因作物的共植管理，尤其适用于无转基因作物区域、物种起源中心及自然保护区的监测工作。