GT1-7 Cell-Based cytoxicity screening assay on 96-well microplates as a platform for the safety assessment of genetically modified Gerbera hybrida extracts

Abstract

In this investigation, a GT1-7 cell–based cytotoxicity screening assay in 96-well microplates was set up. The assay, using propidium iodide fluorescence, was proven to be reliable, with good quality (Z’ = 0.51) and low plate-to-plate and day-to-day variations. Further on, a library containing extracts from 227 genetic modification (GM) Gerbera hybrida and 42 Gerbera varieties was screened; however, no differences between them were found. Based on these findings, we propose the use of the current assay within the first-tier screening studies of large collections. Also, these results provide valuable information for GM Gerbera risk-assessment purposes and offer a model for the toxicity cell–based screening of GM crops.

Keywords::

• Screening
• GT1-7 cells
• natural products
• gerbera hybrida

Acknowledgments

This work has been supported by the Environmental, Societal and Health Effects of Genetically Modified Organisms (ESGEMO) program of the Academy of Finland (grant no. 207410). MS also appreciates the personal grant given by the Finnish Pharmaceutical Society.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no financial conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.