- Winter 1999 "Update" Newsletter Article -
Capturing grape DNA
Copyright © 1999. All rights reserved.
New laboratory will obtain DNA for identifying, marking grapevine pathogens
A laboratory specializing in the use of molecular tools for viticulture research has been established at Fresno State's Viticulture and Enology Research Center. Setup of the lab during November and December was overseen by biology assistant professor James Prince, who specializes in pathogen detection and other areas of molecular plant science research.
Specific plans for the lab arose out of Prince's research efforts last fall to develop a DNA detection system for grapevine yellows (GY), a phytoplasma disease that causes vein yellowing, leaf curling, die-back and other symptoms in grapevines. The disease has been reported in Europe, Israel, Australia and the eastern United States. Studies have shown a 20- to 30-percent crop loss in non-epidemic situations, Prince noted.
Although GY has not yet been detected in California, the disease "could potentially spread to all viticultural countries and areas," Prince said. His desire is to establish DNA markers that can be used to identify various diseases from tissue samples. The advantage of detection in DNA is not having to wait until visual symptoms of the infection appear, which sometimes can take years. By that time production losses are certain to be more serious and treatment more costly.
Detection of disease at the molecular level involves amplification of pathogen DNA from infected tissue, through a cycling process called polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
Under the broader research vision supported by the California Agricultural Technology Institute (CATI), the lab will focus on much more than just GY disease, Prince explained. Research activities will include the following:
- Using currently available DNA tools to detect and identify grapevine patho-gens and wine spoilage organisms;
- Developing DNA tools to detect and identify additional pathogens;
- Using DNA tools to "fingerprint" grapevine cultivars.
And the lab will not be restricted to viticulture and enology. Facilities and services will be made accessible to researchers across campus and to the commercial agricultural community.
"I envision a long and healthy growth of this lab as people in VERC, the university and industry realize what we have," Prince said. Even now, he and a graduate student researcher are working with representatives of the Gallo Biotechnology Group on detection of Eutypa in the field using proprietary techniques developed by Gallo's own scientists.
Prince said he has a graduate student set to begin developing DNA fingerprinting tools in grapevine by examining the variation in the ribosomal RNA genes. "We hope to generate a lot of interest in the coming year and attract additional students to the lab," he said.
The industry service component of the lab also has attracted interest, Prince noted. Once licensing is achieved, it should be possible to perform detection reactions for Xyllela fastidiosa (Pierce's disease), Botrytis, Agrobacterium, and grapevine fanleaf virus, using currently available DNA sequence information.
"New PCR primers will be developed by us and by others and should be available for service use as well," he said.
The lab will charge a fee to cover operational costs and provide funds for DNA-based research in grapevine improvement. More information on the lab and its services will be released by CATI in the future. Further questions may be addressed to Prince by calling (559) 278-2559, or emailing jamespr@csufresno.edu.
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