Bayer: Science For A Better Life - research

DNA chips in active substance research

In the garden of molecules

Active substance analysts Dr. Edda Koopmann
and Dr. Peter Eckes with citrus fruits susceptible
to fungi.

Active genes: a test substance is sprayed onto thale cress.

Crop protection products are becoming increasingly effective and targeted – thanks to refined biotechnology methods which enable scientists to look specifically for previously unknown principles of action in the battle to control pests. To ensure that crop protection products will continue to achieve the best results in the future, researchers at Bayer CropScience need to separate promising candidates from less interesting compounds as soon as possible. They are aided by a very useful tool: DNA chips which provide a molecular “snapshot” of the plant or pest.

Chip analysis helps to target resistant pests

The scientists’ main interest is substances that work using new biochemical principles. These are likely to be effective against pests which have lost their susceptibility to conventional products. All the genes that are “switched on” inside a cell at a particular time are registered on the DNA chips. If the biologists can identify the active genes, they can derive information about potential resistance. Read the following article to find out how DNA chips can help to distinguish novel, promising compounds from their less interesting cousins at an early stage.