The video PSI – Are my soybeans wearing different genes? is inspired by the popular TV show “CSI-crime scene investigations”. Here, however, the investigators are solving cases in the field of plant science investigations (PSI). The stunning phenomenon that soybean plants can survive herbicide treatments and grow on fields without weed competition is investigated using DNA extraction, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), gene analysis etc. Transgenes are found that make the soybean plants herbicide resistant. These genes can be detected in soybean plants as well as in food products such as tofu that are found on the supermarket shelf. This video addresses questions about genes and transgenes in food – we all eat DNA and genes every day - and the use of transgenic crops for food production. It is a student production inspired from research projects of a Plant Physiology (HORT301) course for Horticulture and Biology students at Purdue University. The video is educational material geared towards middle school and high school students as well as interested visitors who not necessarily work in plant sciences, but want to learn more about it.
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