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Characterizing a novel and sensitive method to measure dsRNA in soil
Joshua R Fischer1, Fatima Zapata1, Samuel Dubelman1
1Regulatory Sciences, Monsanto Company, 800 N. Lindbergh Blvd., Saint Louis, MO 63167, USA.
Chemosphere
|July 22, 2016
Summary
Environmental assessments for double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) agricultural products need accurate biodegradation rate measurements. A novel QuantiGene assay shows distinct dsRNAs rapidly degrade in soil with similar kinetics.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Molecular Biology
- Agricultural Science
Background:
- Accurate environmental assessment of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) agricultural products is crucial.
- Measuring dsRNA biodegradation rates in soil requires sensitive and selective analytical methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a novel analytical procedure for quantifying dsRNA biodegradation in soil.
- To assess the degradation kinetics of distinct dsRNAs in diverse soil environments.
Main Methods:
- Development and characterization of a molecular hybridization assay (QuantiGene®) for dsRNA quantification.
- Extraction of dsRNA from various soil samples.
- Application of the assay to measure degradation rates of two different dsRNAs.
Main Results:
- The QuantiGene® assay accurately measures dsRNA in diverse soil matrices.
- Two dsRNAs, differing in size, structure, and sequence, were found to degrade rapidly in soil.
- The degradation kinetics for the two distinct dsRNAs were indistinguishable.
Conclusions:
- The developed QuantiGene® assay is a reliable tool for environmental assessment of dsRNA.
- Environmental factors influencing dsRNA biodegradation may be similar across different dsRNA types.
- Rapid degradation suggests limited persistence of dsRNA in soil environments.
