Quantification of DNA from genetically modified organisms in composite and processed foods

Challenges arising from the task to quantify DNA from genetically modified organisms (GMO) in composite and processed foods are reviewed. Examples for distortion of the quantification of GMO due to differences in particle size compositions and heat-induced DNA degradation are discussed. Ligation-dependent probe amplification is presented as a novel approach to tackle the issue of the increasing number of GMO to be screened and quantified. The use of hybrid molecules as easily accessible synthetic DNA-standards for quantitative screening of GMO via real-time PCR is described.