Ten year vision

YEARS 1-5 (2006-2010)

Objectives:

To perform comparative transcriptome analysis in disease-resistant and susceptible grapevines.
To identify regulatory elements of grapevine defense candidate genes.
To clone and sequence full-length grapevine defense candidate genes.
To generate a hybrid progeny for genetic study of defense mechanisms.
To establish grapevine transformation technology.
To begin functional verification of defense candidate genes using transgenic and transient expression approaches.
To identify secondary metabolites with health-promoting properties in wild grape berries.
To characterize grape viruses that severaly damage grapevines.
To produce clean grape cultivars free of major pathogens.
To organize grape genomics meetings.

Deliverables:

Gold standard sequences of grapevine defense candidate genes from resistant grapevines.
Full-length cDNA clones for functional analysis and deployment in viticulture.
Regulatory elements of grapevines defense candidate genes.
Biotechnology tools for functional and molecular biology studies of grapevine genes.
Clean grapevine stocks and diagnostic tools for the grape industry.
Educational training high school, undergraduate and graduate students.

YEARS 6-10 (2011-2015)

Objectives:

To generate and evaluate transgenic grapevines and model plants.
To study key enzymes in the bio-synthesis of secondary metabolites.
To find health-promoting compounds in wild grape berries.
To manufacture customized grapevine microarrays for comprehensive study of defense related genes.
To verify the functions of grapevine genes:
- full-length expression
- antisera production
- post-transformation analysis of transgenic grapevines and model plants.
- interaction of regulators and its target promoters.
- protein-protein, protein-DNA/RNA, protein-pathogen protein interaction using grapevine protein microarray technology.

Deliverables:

Educational training of high school, undergraduate and graduate students.