Researchers map North American wild grape pangenome

Wild North American grapes are now less of a mystery after an international team of researchers led by the University of California, Davis, decoded and cataloged the genetic diversity of nine species of this valuable wine crop.The research, published in the journal Genome Biology, uncovers critical traits that could accelerate grape breeding efforts, particularly in tackling challenges like climate change, saline environments, and drought."This research marks a significant step in understanding the genetics of grapevines," said Dario Cantù, the senior author on the journal article and a professor in the Department of Viticulture and Enology. "It lays the groundwork for future advancements in grape breeding by identifying key genes responsible for important traits."The research team developed and used state-of-the-art technology to construct a comprehensive pangenome, which is a complete genetic blueprint of wild grape species.This so-called super-pangenome of nine species allowed ...