Gene-Edited Vines Show Promise in European Field Trial for Mildew Resistance
核心洞察
EdiVite (搜索), a University of Verona spinoff, initiated Europe's first field trial of gene-edited Chardonnay vines to enhance resistance against downy mildew (搜索), a significant fungal disease.
The CRISPR-Cas9 technology was used to inactivate a gene (_DMR6_ (搜索) family) that suppresses the plant's immune defense, potentially reducing the need for fungicides in viticulture.
Other Italian research groups, including the Edmund Mach Foundation (搜索) and CREA-VE (搜索), are developing gene-edited vines with enhanced protection against fungal diseases like powdery mildew (搜索).
Europe's first field trial of gene-edited vines began in northern Italy on September 30, 2024, marking a significant step towards sustainable viticulture. Developed by EdiVite (搜索), a spinoff from the University of Verona, these Chardonnay vines have been gene-edited to bolster their defense against downy mildew (搜索), a major fungal disease affecting vineyards. The trial is taking place on university land, with plans to expand to another site in the Veneto region. Researchers aim to collect initial data by 2025, with potential experimental winemaking slated for 2026.
The vines were modified using CRISPR-Cas9 technology to target a gene from the DMR6 family. This gene encodes a protein that typically suppresses the plant's immune defense by limiting salicylic acid production. According to Mario Pezzotti, a geneticist and co-founder of EdiVite (搜索), regenerating the vines after editing is a complex process requiring variety-specific techniques. If the proposed new EU regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs) is approved, these vines should be exempt from GMO restrictions because they do not contain any foreign DNA.
The Need for Innovation in Viticulture
Viticulture urgently requires innovation to become more sustainable. Vineyards, while constituting only 2% of Europe's cultivated area, account for 41% of its fungicide use. Cross-breeding with resistant wild vines could offer a solution, but it often compromises the genetic identity of grape varieties, which is crucial for their commercial value. Gene editing offers a way to circumvent this issue by precisely modifying the genome without introducing foreign DNA. However, Sara Zenoni, a geneticist and co-founder of EdiVite (搜索), notes that knocking out a single susceptibility gene may only provide partial protection against downy mildew (搜索), and the field trial will determine whether this translates into a reduced need for fungicides in real-world conditions.
Other Advancements in Gene-Edited Vines
Other Italian research groups are also making strides in this field. The Edmund Mach Foundation (搜索) (FEM) in San Michele all'Adige has developed a Chardonnay grape with both DMR6 genes knocked out, aiming for higher protection against mildew. Umberto Salvagnin, a researcher at FEM, stated that they are applying to field-test both single and double mutants to compare the results. Additionally, a collaboration between the Research Centre for Viticulture and Enology (CREA-VE (搜索)) and a team from the National Research Council in Turin is progressing, with several gene-edited varieties undergoing final checks before field trial authorization. Riccardo Velasco, director of CREA-VE, mentioned that the first variety to be tested could be a Chardonnay resistant to powdery mildew (搜索).
Government Support and Shifting Attitudes
The efforts are supported by Agriculture Minister Francesco Lollobrigida, signaling a shift from opposing GMOs to embracing NGTs. Ettore Prandini, president of the Coldiretti farmers' association and a former critic of GMOs, also demonstrated this change by planting an edited vine in Verona.
Earlier this year, Italy approved the experimental release of a rice variety edited for fungal resistance by the University of Milan, ending a 20-year deadlock caused by opposition to GMOs. Despite an act of vandalism on the rice field in June, geneticist Vittoria Brambilla remains committed to continuing the trial in 2025, buoyed by strong support from institutions and the public.