Variety identification research

The Grain Research Laboratory's Variety identification research program develops technology for grain variety identification and supports the GRL's Variety Identification Monitoring program through provision of DNA-based testing.

Variety composition analysis of a ground barley sample by real-time PCR.

Currently, DNA fingerprinting is performed on individual kernels of grain, and many kernels must be analyzed to determine the variety composition of a sample. A long-term goal is development of DNA-based methods to determine the variety composition of ground samples of grain. The Canadian Grain Commission is committed to transferring variety identification technology to the private sector for use in commercial variety identification testing.

Technology, methods and standards

Microsatellite analysis on a DNA analyzer.

• Developed and implemented microsatellite DNA-based
• Recently developed a quantitative PCR-based method to determine variety composition of ground samples of two-row barley
• Continuously updates and expands DNA fingerprint databases
• Instrumentation:
  • PCR thermal cyclers and an automated DNA analyzer for microsatellite analyses
  • Real-time PCR instrument for quantitative analysis