Transcript No Slide Title

Ad hoc Subgroup of
Technical and Legal Experts
of Biochemical and Molecular Techniques
(BMT Review Group)
Current situation within UPOV
with regard to the possible use of
molecular markers in the examination of DUS
Meeting
Geneva, April 1, 2009
The options:
• Option 1:
Molecular Markers as predictors of Traditional Characteristics:
(a) gene specific marker
• Option 2:
Calibration of Molecular Markers against Traditional
Characteristics in the management of Reference collections
• Option 3:
New system
OPTION 1 (a)
Molecular Markers
as predictors of Traditional Characteristics:
(a) gene specific marker
View of the BMT Review Group, Technical
Committee, Administrative and Legal Committee
Option 1(a) for a gene specific marker of a
phenotypic characteristic:
Proposal: gene specific marker for herbicide
tolerance introduced by genetic modification
was, on the basis of the assumptions in the
proposal, acceptable within the terms of the
UPOV Convention and would not undermine the
effectiveness of protection offered under the
UPOV system.
Assumptions for a gene specific marker:
(a) DUS examination: same no. of plants, growing
cycles, DUS criteria;
(b) Linkage: ensure that the marker is a reliable
predictor;
(c) Different markers for same gene would be treated
as different methods for examining the same
characteristic;
(d) Different genes would be treated as different
methods for examining the same characteristic;
(e) Different markers linked to different regulatory
elements for the same gene would all be treated as
different methods for examining the same
characteristic. (further consideration would be given to
this matter at a later stage)
OPTION 2
Calibration of Molecular Markers
against Traditional Characteristics
in the management of Reference collections
Option 2: Calibration of threshold levels
Morphological Distance
Molecular
threshold
Perfect calibration
Morphology
threshold
Molecular distance
View of the BMT Review Group, Technical Committee,
Administrative and Legal Committee
Option 2: Calibration of threshold levels for molecular
characteristics against the minimum distance in traditional
characteristics
Proposal: Option 2 for Maize, Oilseed Rape and Rose
where used for the management of reference
collections was, on the basis of the assumptions in
the proposals, acceptable within the terms of the
UPOV Convention and would not undermine the
effectiveness of protection offered under the UPOV
system
- whilst recognizing the need to improve the
relationship between morphological and molecular
distances.
Assumptions for calibration of threshold levels :
(a) Uniformity and Stability:
(i) [molecular] differences calculated between varieties
take into account the variation within varieties;
(ii) suitable uniformity standards could be developed
for molecular markers without requiring varieties, in
general, to be more uniform
(b) would only be used for the establishment of a
“Distinctness plus” threshold in the management of
reference collections;
(c) would meet all the normal requirements for any
characteristic to be used in the DUS examination and, in
particular, would be checked to ensure they are sufficiently
consistent and repeatable.
Option 2: Oilseed Rape
GAÏA Distances = f(Rogers' Distances) for 28 varieties in the reference collection
Tests 1997/1998
40
38
36
34
GAÏA Distances
(Traditional characteristic distances)
32
Type 3
30
Type 1
28
26
24
22
20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
B r i s t ol - P r es t ol
A ndol - E ur ol
E x pr es s - Goel and
Zor r o - A pex
E ur ol - Zor r o
4
E x pr es s - Zor r o
Type 2
2
A ndol - I dol
A pex - Goel and
E ur ol - I dol
Duet ol - T api dor
Type 4
Cer es - Chey enne
B r i s t ol - E ur ol
A pex - E x pr es s
E x pr es s - Lady
A pex - Lady
0
Goel and - Lady
0
0.05
B r i s t ol - I dol
0.1
0.15
0.2
0.25
Rogers' Distances
(Molecular m arker distances)
0.3
0.35
0.4
0.45
Option 2: Calibration of threshold levels
Morphological Distance
Molecular
threshold
Morphology
threshold
Area of concern
Molecular distance
Option 2: Management of Reference Collections
(“Distinctness plus”)
Morphological Distance
Molecular
threshold (“D” plus)
Area of
concern
Molecular distance
Morphology
threshold
OPTION 3
New system
“OPTION 3” for ROSE
Step 1: Use a fixed set of seven STMS markers (Set 1) to examine two
plants of the candidate variety to see if it is clearly distinguishable from all
other varieties.
=> at least 3 band/peak differences: DISTINCT
if not, go to Step 2
Step 2: Use a second, different set of seven STMS markers (Set 2).
=> at least 3 band/peak differences (using both sets of markers):
DISTINCT
if not, go to Step 3
Step 3: Such candidate varieties would be included in the growing trial to
examine distinctness using non-molecular characteristics.
(Note: in all cases, varieties would be grown in the field to examine Uniformity & Stability)
“OPTION 3” for WHEAT
(a) If the candidate variety can be clearly distinguished using
set of 8 SSR markers, it is considered DISTINCT;
(b) Candidates which are not sufficiently uniform for any of
the 8 SSR markers will not undergo further testing and will not
be protected;
(c) If the candidate cannot be clearly distinguished from all
varieties of common knowledge, then the varieties from which it
is not distinct (according to an agreed criterion) are selected for
inclusion in the field trial;
(d) All candidates are sown in field trials, to check uniformity
and stability of the relevant, non molecular characteristics.
View of the BMT Review Group, Technical Committee,
Administrative and Legal Committee
Option 3: New system
Proposal: Option 3 for Rose and Wheat
no consensus on the acceptability of the Option 3
proposals within the terms of the UPOV Convention
and no consensus on whether they would undermine
the effectiveness of protection offered under the
UPOV system.
- concerns were raised that, in these proposals, using
this approach, it might be possible to use a limitless
number of markers to find differences between
varieties. The concern was also raised that
differences would be found at the genetic level which
were not reflected in morphological characteristics
THANK YOU