news and research about Pierce's Disease

What is Pierce's Disease?

Pierce’s Disease is a bacterial infection, which is spread by bugs that feed on grapevines, particularly the "glassy winged sharpshooter." Grapevines that become infected with PD can quickly become sick and die.

Evaluation of signal sequences for the delivery of transgene products in the xylem

PIs: Abhaya Dandekar

Reports:

Research Papers

  • Genetic transformation of Vitis vinifera L. cvs Thompson Seedless and Chardonnay with the pear PGIP and GFP encoding genes
    Transgenic plants of Vitis vinifera L. cvs. Chardonnay and Thompson Seedless expressing the beta-glucuronidase gene (GUS) and either the pear polygalacturonase inhibiting protein gene (PGIP) or the green fluorescent protein gene (GFP) were produced via somatic embryogenesis. Various media and culture conditions were tested in order to develop an efficient transformation method. Best results were obtained when embryogenic callus was initiated from anthers cultured on PIV medium and maintained in PT medium. Embryogenic lines of the rootstocks Saint George, 110 Richter and Freedom and from inflorescence primordia of Chardonnay and 110 Richter were also established using the same media. Inoculation with 10(9) cells.ml(-1) Agrobacterium resulted in a higher number of selected calli than cultures inoculated with 10(7) or 10(8) cells.ml(-1). Plants were regenerated in a modified WP medium from up to 46 % of the selected callus. Approximately 80 % of the lines expressed GUS and either PGIP or GFP but a low correlation was found between beta-glucuronidase and polygalacturonase inhibiting protein activities.
    2006-01-01
  • Xylem sap proteins from Vitis vinifera L. Chardonnay
    Xylem sap contains a significant amount of organic material such as proteins. Defining how these proteins are transported to xylem is important not only in understanding rootstock physiology but also in providing the necessary information to target the delivery of therapeutic proteins into this plant compartment. Xylem exudates were collected from Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay and protein composition was analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. We partially sequenced 10 proteins, identified the corresponding cDNA, and obtained DNA sequences for signal peptides of two proteins
    2008-01-01

Funding sources:

  • Funded by: CDFA PD/GWSS Board
  • Budget: $98,653.00
  • Start date: 2007-07-01
  • Stop date: 2008-06-30
  • Status: APPROVED
  • Funded by: UC PD Fund
  • Budget: $82,222.00
  • Start date: 2006-01-01
  • Stop date: 2007-01-01
  • Status: APPROVED