Project description
Genome editing for sustainable phytoplasma resistance
Phytoplasma-associated diseases threaten global viticulture, with no effective treatments currently available. The EU-funded EnGrape project aims to enhance grapevine tolerance by investigating the role of SWEET sugar transporters in Candidatus Phytoplasma solani infections. Using CRISPR–Cas9 promoter modulation in sensitive Chardonnay and Zweigelt cultivars, the project will assess how gene expression affects host–pathogen interactions. By integrating gene editing, transcriptomics, physiology and metabolomics, EnGrape aims to unravel molecular mechanisms of disease tolerance. This is expected to identify candidate targets for DNA-free genome editing, ultimately advancing sustainable viticulture and informing next-generation breeding strategies to secure the future of global wine production.
Objective
Phytoplasma-associated diseases threaten global viticulture, with no effective treatments available, underscoring the urgent need for innovative strategies to enhance grapevine tolerance. Given the role of SWEET sugar transporters in pathogen-mediated sugar transport and evidence of sugar partitioning disruption in phytoplasma-infected grapevines, the En-grape project, with the support of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, will investigate their potential involvement in Candidatus phytoplasma solani infection in sensitive cultivars Chardonnay and Zweigelt. Using CRISPR–Cas9 promoter modulation, the project will assess how altering the expression of these genes affects host–pathogen interactions. Integrating gene editing, functional genomics, transcriptomics, physiology, and metabolomics within a systems biology framework, En-grape will unravel molecular mechanisms of disease tolerance and identify candidate targets for DNA-free genome editing. The findings will advance sustainable viticulture and inform next-generation breeding strategies.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- agricultural sciences agriculture, forestry, and fisheries agriculture horticulture viticulture
- medical and health sciences medical biotechnology genetic engineering gene therapy
- medical and health sciences basic medicine physiology
- natural sciences biological sciences genetics genomes
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.4.1 - Widening participation and spreading excellence
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-WIDERA-2025-TALENTS-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1000 LJUBLJANA
Slovenia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.