Anti Cry1Ab monoclonal antibody, clone N89909

Here, we report the synthesis and characterization of CoFe2O4 doping Ag2S dendrimer-modified nanoparticles (CoFe2O4-Ag2S DMNs) in Cry1Ab protein detection and imaging. The near-infrared Ag2S quantum dots were first prepared by using the thermal decomposition method, followed by modification of the water-soluble quantum dots using the method of solvent evaporation and ligand exchange, and finally the fluorescent magnetic bifunctional nanoparticles were obtained by binding with CoFe2O4. As-prepared CoFe2O4-Ag2S DMNs were characterized by fluorescence (FL) spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Results showed that Ag2S DMNs could sensitively detect Cry1Ab both in vitro and in vivo. In vitro, the enhanced FL intensity as a function of the concentration is notably consistent with the Langmuir binding isotherm equation in the range of 0-200 ng/mL of Cry1Ab proteins. The detection limit of this method was found to be 0.2 ng/mL. Meanwhile, the fluorescence wavelength was extended to the second near-infrared range (NIR-II, 1.0 similar to 1.4 mu m), which enables in vivo imaging. This study highlights the importance of NIR QDs doping magnetic materials as a new method to trace Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) in insects and their potential applications in in vivo NIR tissue imaging.

Ground beetle fauna, as well-known worldwide bioindicators, were studied in the large-scale Bt maize experiment in Poland. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the Bt maize variety in comparison to conventional plants on species from ground beetle assemblages (Coleoptera: Carabidae) as non-target arthropods. A genetically modified Bt maize variety (DKC 3421 Yield Gard (R), event MON 810) and its near-isogenic DKC 3420 (unsprayed and sprayed with a lambda-cyhalotrine insecticide) were cultivated at 2 locations: Budziszw, near Wroclaw in south-western Poland, and in Gluchow, near Rzeszow in the south-eastern region, in 2008-2010. For comparative analysis two additional non-Bt varieties (Bosman and Wigo) were also included. To monitor population density of ground beetles, 80 pitfall traps were used at each location. Comparisons showed no significant differences between abundance and diversity patterns of ground beetles for the Bt maize, the near isoline and two local varieties. Some minor differences were with no clear tendencies related to Bt maize.