grapevine biology

grapevines

Grapevines have complex physiological and genetic processes for fruit development and adaptations to environmental stresses, such as pathogen attack. Understanding the biology of grapevines is not only crucial for maximizing grape yield and quality but also for managing disease outcomes.

resistance against powdery mildew

During my undergraduate studies, I was interested in the interaction between grapevines (Vitis vinifera) and the powdery mildew pathogen. Powdery mildew, caused by the fungus E. necator, is a significant challenge to grapevine cultivation worldwide. This fungal pathogen thrives in temperate climates, spreading its characteristic white, powdery spores across grapevine leaves, shoots, and clusters. Left unchecked, powdery mildew infestations can lead to substantial yield losses and quality degradation in grape production.

I was involved in a genetic breeding program of table grape cultivars, working with grape populations with introgressed stacked resistance (R) genes against powdery mildew.

MYB transcription factors

Additionally, I collaborated in projects related to the characterisation of an expanded transcription factor family in V. vinifera called MYB. These transcription factors are involved in many processes, mainly related (but not exclusive!) to fruit development and secondary metabolism.

techniques

  • Marker-assisted selection breeding
  • Plant in vitro tissue culture
  • Plant pathogen assays
  • Gene expression analysis (RT-qPCR)
  • Histology

* Equal contribution

  1. Agurto*, M., Schlechter*, R. O., Armijo, G., Solano, E., Serrano, C., Contreras, R. A., Zúñiga, G. E., & Arce-Johnson, P. (2017). RUN1 and REN1 Pyramiding in Grapevine (Vitis vinifera cv. Crimson Seedless) Displays an Improved Defense Response Leading to Enhanced Resistance to Powdery Mildew (Erysiphe necator). Front. Plant Sci., 8, 758. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2017.00758
  2. Wong*, D. C. J., Schlechter*, R., Vannozzi, A., Höll, J., Hmmam, I., Bogs, J., Tornielli, G. B., Castellarin, S. D., & Matus, J. T. (2016). A systems-oriented analysis of the grapevine R2R3-MYB transcription factor family uncovers new insights into the regulation of stilbene accumulation. DNA Res., 23(5), 451–466. https://doi.org/10.1093/dnares/dsw028
  3. Armijo*, G., Schlechter*, R., Agurto, M., Muñoz, D., Nuñez, C., & Arce-Johnson, P. (2016). Grapevine Pathogenic Microorganisms: Understanding Infection Strategies and Host Response Scenarios. Front. Plant Sci., 7, 382. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2016.00382
  4. Cavallini, E., Matus, J. T., Finezzo, L., Zenoni, S., Loyola, R., Guzzo, F., Schlechter, R., Ageorges, A., Arce-Johnson, P., & Tornielli, G. B. (2015). The phenylpropanoid pathway is controlled at different branches by a set of R2R3-MYB C2 repressors in grapevine. Plant Physiol., 167(4), 1448–1470. https://academic.oup.com/plphys/article-abstract/167/4/1448/6113767