Qualitative and event-specific PCR real-time detection methods for StarLink maize

In this paper we present qualitative detection and identification methods for StarLink maize (event CBH-351). The methodology proposed envisages detection of an internal target site in the cry9c coding region, as well as two event-specific target sites at the junction between the CBH-351 insert DNA and the genomic plant DNA. The cry9c-specific primer pair, generating a 180 bp amplicon, has been tested and optimised for conventional end-point PCR amplification. The event-specific primer pairs, generating amplicons of 138 bp and 100 bp respectively, give good performance in a conventional end-point PCR and in a real-time PCR assay. Our results clearly demonstrate that the primer pairs proposed can be used in an unambiguous and specific PCR identification assay for StarLink maize.