The Sauvignon Blanc grapevine variety is instrumental to New Zealand’s 2.4 billion NZD wine industry, accounting for over 85% of New Zealand’s wine exports. Critically, most Sauvignon Blanc grapevines in New Zealand are the same genotype. While this lack of diversity means the vines grow in a predictable manner, it also means they are vulnerable to climatic changes, disease exposure, and pest incursions.
A plants ability to respond and adapt to stresses is crucial to its resilience and survival in a changing environment. Adaptation is especially important in longer-living species where relocation or large-scale production is not feasible. Epigenetic regulation is a key enabler of this adaptation, where DNA methylation, histone modification, or non-coding RNAs function to activate or repress gene expression in response to environmental pressures.
Our research aims to harness epigenetic mechanisms to manipulate gene expression in a temporary and targeted manner. By applying specifically designed dsRNA to target a selected grapevine gene of interest we're investigating dsRNA dispersal within the plant, which epigenetic mechanisms are engaged, and persistence of any response.
This research has provided valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for RNA technology in plant science, including a need to better understand how various application methods affect dispersal of synthetic RNA molecules in plant tissue.
By advancing our understanding of synthetic RNA application and function in grapevine, this study paves the way for more effective and efficient strategies to modulate the expression of endogenous plant genes, particularly grapevine, to promote resilience in changing environmental conditions.