GMO Speed-dating Vocabulary

AFGP gene

The antifreeze glycoprotein (AFGP) gene produces proteins that prevent ice crystal formation in the blood of certain cold-water fish.

Antigen

A substance that triggers an immune response, leading to the production of antibodies.

Anti-thrombin

A protein that helps regulate blood clotting by inhibiting thrombin, preventing excessive clot formation.

Blight

A plant disease caused by fungi, bacteria, or viruses that leads to rapid plant decay and death.

Chymosin

An enzyme used in cheese production to coagulate milk, traditionally sourced from calf stomachs but now produced via genetically modified microbes.

CP4 EPSPS

A gene from Agrobacterium that confers resistance to glyphosate, enabling crops like soybeans to withstand herbicide application.

Cucumber mosaic cucumovirus

A virus that infects a wide range of plants, particularly cucurbits, causing mosaic patterns on leaves and stunted growth.

Cystic fibrosis

A genetic disorder affecting the lungs and digestive system, caused by mutations in the CFTR gene leading to thick mucus buildup.

EPSP synthase

An enzyme involved in the shikimate pathway in plants and bacteria, targeted by glyphosate to inhibit growth.

Glucosidase

An enzyme that breaks down complex sugars into simpler sugars, important in digestion and metabolism.

Glyphosate

A widely used herbicide that inhibits EPSP synthase, effectively killing weeds while sparing genetically modified crops.

Lactoferrin

A protein with antimicrobial and immune-boosting properties, found in milk and other bodily secretions.

Leber's congenital amaurosis (LCA)

A genetic disorder that causes severe vision loss or blindness from infancy due to mutations in genes involved in retinal function.

Papaya ringspot virus

A virus that severely affects papaya crops, causing leaf distortion, fruit rings, and yield loss.

Polygalacturonase (PG)

An enzyme that breaks down pectin in plant cell walls, playing a role in fruit softening and plant-microbe interactions.

Protease

An enzyme that breaks down proteins into amino acids, essential for digestion and various biological processes.

Watermelon mosaic (poty)virus

A virus that infects watermelon and other cucurbits, causing leaf mottling, fruit deformities, and reduced yield.

Zucchini yellow mosaic (poty)virus

A virus affecting zucchini and other cucurbits, leading to yellowing, stunted growth, and distorted fruit.