terclim by ICS banner
IVES 9 IVES Conference Series 9 Using nanopore skim-sequencing to characterise regional epigenetic variability in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Using nanopore skim-sequencing to characterise regional epigenetic variability in New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Abstract

Recent advancements in genomic sequencing technologies have enabled more detailed and direct studies of DNA methylation, which can help characterise epigenetic variations in plants. The Grapevine Improvement team at the Bragato Research Institute is studying the use of Oxford Nanopore sequencing to identify epigenetic changes associated with environmental differences among clonally-propagated grapevines.

This study involved sequencing DNA from the same Sauvignon Blanc clone, sourced from diverse New Zealand viticultural regions, using the PromethION platform. New base-calling models were used to characterise cytosine methylation in various contexts (CG, CHG, and CHH) alongside adenosine methylation. Subsampling revealed that low-depth skim sequencing (0.1x) is sufficient to distinguish genome-wide methylation profiles, with geographic location emerging as the predominant factor influencing epigenetic traits. The method of sample preservation, whether immediate snap-freezing or initial storage in desiccant, did not have a significant effect on the results.

 This research demonstrates the potential of low-depth nanopore sequencing for assessing epigenetic variability as influenced by environmental factors in plants. The approach holds promise for the investigation of the mechanisms that drive the expression of location-specific agronomic traits, forecasting climate-related epigenetic shifts, and facilitating the development of technologies aimed at inducing targeted epigenetic modifications.

Download the abstract

DOI:

Publication date: June 13, 2024

Issue: Open GPB 2024

Type: Poster

Authors

Cen Liau1, Annabel Whibley1, Bhanupratap Vanga1, Solomon Wante1, Amy Hill1, Ellie Bradley1, Darrell Lizamore1*

1Grapevine Improvement Team, Bragato Research Institute, Lincoln, New Zealand

Contact the author*

Keywords

Nanopore sequencing, epigenetics, DNA methylation

Tags

IVES Conference Series | Open GPB | Open GPB 2024

Citation

Related articles…

Isolation of indigenous yeast strains from the Purcari and Trifești wine centers in the Republic of Moldova and evaluation of their impact on the quality of dry red wines

In the conducted research, 30 yeast strains from red grape varieties were isolated from the Purcari wine center, and 28 yeast strains from red grape varieties were isolated from the Trifești wine center in the Republic of Moldova.

Read More

Étude de la variabilité des facteurs naturels du terroir viticole, à travers une gamme d’A.O.C. en Anjou (France)

Un programme de recherche concernant les facteurs naturels et humains des terroirs viticoles a été développé dans le vignoble A.O.C. de l’Anjou, sur une surface d’environ 30.000 Ha

Read More

Influence of weather and climatic conditions on the viticultural production in Croatia

The research includes an analysis of the impact of weather conditions on phenological development of the vine and grape quality, through monitoring of four experimental cultivars (Chardonnay, Graševina, Merlot and Plavac mali) over two production years. In each experimental vineyard, which were evenly distributed throughout the regions of Slavonia and The Croatian Danube, Croatian Uplands,

Read More

Influence of p-Coumaric Acid and Micronutrients on Growth and 4-Ethylphenol Production by Brettanomyces bruxellensis

The wine spoilage caused by Brettanomyces bruxellensis is one of the global concerns for winemakers. Detecting the presence of B. bruxellensis using routine laboratory culture techniques becomes challenging when cells enter the viable but not culturable (VBNC) state. This study aims to investigate the impact of p-coumaric acid (a volatile phenol precursor) and micronutrients on B. bruxellensis’ culturability, viability, and volatile phenol production under sulfite stress. In red wine, exposure to a high sulfite dose (100.00 mg L-1 potassium metabisulfite) resulted in immediate cell death, followed by a recovery of culturability after two weeks.

Read More

Pesticide – Free viticulture: towards agroecological wine-producing socio-ecosystems

Can we cultivate grapevine without pesticides? This is a huge challenge for this emblematic crop, which is one of the largest users of plant protection products. Pesticides are mainly used to protect the vine against leaf diseases (powdery mildew, mildew, black-rot), even in organic farming, which uses copper in particular. What are the research avenues that can help eliminate pesticides today?

Read More