terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Enhancing plant defense: carbon dots for efficient spray-induced gene silencing 

Enhancing plant defense: carbon dots for efficient spray-induced gene silencing 

Abstract

Ectopic RNA application for plant defense faces challenges in tree crops, including size, diffusion, and stability of active compounds such as ribonucleoproteins and nucleic acids. While existing strategies involve expressing dsRNA in transgenic plants targeting pathogens, our research strives to develop a transient RNAi system based on Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS). This approach aims to circumvent legal barriers and public concerns associated with genetically modified organisms (GMOs). Our strategy integrates SIGS with branched polyethyleneimine-functionalized Carbon Dots (bPEI-CDs) as nanocarriers, effectively addressing unique delivery challenges in plant defense as RNA stability and uptake enhancement. We developed a cost-effective microwave-assisted protocol for the synthesis of 10 nm monodispersed bPEI-CDs. These molecules showed over 50% dsRNA protection against RNase III degradation at a 200:1 (w/w) ratio. We further demonstrated their capability to enhance cellular uptake by successfully delivering fluorolabeled-dsRNAs (Cy3-RNA) complexed with CDs into intact plant tissue-cultured cells. Notably, Cy3-RNA sprayed with CD on the surface of greenhouse grapevine leaves through a low-pressure spray application penetrated stomata cells and neighboring cells. Ultimately, the ability of dsRNA complexed with CD to trigger RNA interference was confirmed using a 21 nucleotide-dsRNA targeting eGFP . Ongoing work quantitatively compares, through qPCR, the reduced expression of GFP on eGFP-expressing transgenic microvine leaves sprayed with CD-complexed and naked siRNA. This innovative approach, leveraging CDs, aims to tackle critical barriers in dsRNA delivery, particularly by addressing cell wall-related limitations in plant. This research marks a pivotal step in optimizing RNA-based grapevine defense strategies, and propelling sustainable viticulture practices forward.

DOI:

Publication date: June 13, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Poster

Authors

Christian Mandelli1*, Laurent G. Deluc1,2

1 Department of Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States
2 Oregon Wine Research Institute, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR, United States

Contact the author*

Keywords

RNA interference, Spray-Induced Gene Silencing (SIGS), Carbon dots, dsRNA delivery, Sustainable agriculture

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Modification on grape phenolic and aromatic composition due to different leafroll virus infections

Viral diseases are reported to cause several detrimental effects on grapevine. Among them, leafroll, due to single or mixed infection of GLRaV1 and GLRaV3, and rugose wood, associated to GVA, are considered the most widespread and dangerous.

First step in the preparation of a soil map of the Protected Designation of Origin Valdepeñas (Central, Spain)

This work is a first step to make a map of vineyard soils. The characterization of the soils of the Protected Designation of Origin (D.P.O.) Valdepeñas will allow to group the studied profiles according to their physico-chemical characteristics and the concentrations of most relevant chemical elements. 90 soil profiles were analysed throughout the territory and the soils were sampled and described according to FAO (2006) and classified according to and Soil Taxonomy (2014). All samples were air dried, sieved and some physico-chemical parameters were determined following standard protocols. Also, major and trace elements were analysed by X-ray fluorescence. The statistically study was made using the SPSS program. Trend maps were made using the ArcGIS program. The studied soils have the following average properties: pH, 8.3; electrical conductivity, 0,20 dS/m (low); clay, 18.8% (medium) and CaCO3, 17.1% (high). In the study for the major elements. The major elements of these soils are Si, followed by Ca and Al, with an average content of 203.7 g/kg, 105.5 g/kg and 74.0 g/kg respectively. On the other hand, 27 trace elements have been studied. Of all of them, it can be highlighted the average values of Ba (361.8 mg/kg), Sr (129.3 mg/kg), Rb (83.4 mg/kg), V (74.2 mg/kg) and Ce (70.6 mg/kg). Ba, V and Ce values are higher and the values of Sr and Rb are lower to those found in the literature. The discriminant analysis shows a percentage of grouping of 91%. The content of chemical elements together with the physico-chemical characteristics allows grouping the soils in 4 group according to their order in the classification to Soil Taxonomy; due to the importance of the Calcisols in Castilla-La Mancha, it has been decided to establish them as their own group even if they do not appear in Soil Taxonomy classification.

Effect of the winemaking technology on the phenolic compounds, foam parameters in sparklig wines

Contribution Sparkling wines elaborated following the traditional method undergo a second fermentation in closed bottles of base wines, followed by aging of wines with lees for at least 9 months. Most of the sparkling wines elaborated are white and rosé ones, although the production of red ones is highly increasing. One of the initial problems in red sparkling wine processing is to obtain suitable base wines that should have moderate alcohol content and astringency and adequate color intensity; which is difficult to obtain when grapes must be harvested at low phenolic and industrial maturity stage. The low phenolic maturity degree in the red grapes makes essential to choose an adequate winemaking methodology to obtain the base wines because the extracted polyphenols will vary according the winemaking technique: carbonic maceration or destemmed-crushed grapes.

Utilización de los estudios detallados y muy detallados de suelos en la microzonificación vitícola

Se justifica la utilización de los mapas de suelos detallados y muy detallados como instrumento fundamental en los estudios de microzonificación.

The exploitation of Croatian grapevine genetic resources for the breeding of new resistant cultivars 

Croatian viticulture is mainly based on native grapevine varieties susceptible to various diseases and pests, which leads to unsustainable use of large amounts of pesticides. The sustainable development of viticulture in the future will only be possible by increasing the resistance of the grapevine through the development of new resistant varieties. Breeding programs have been launched in the leading wine-growing countries to develop resistant varieties possessing high-quality levels. Native cultivars from Croatia are not included in the breeding programs of other countries.