Project title:
Development of a field-deployable detection system for GLRaV-3
Project number:
GENUS MC 24-01
Project leader:
Dr M. Campa
Institution:
Department of Genetics, Stellenbosch University
Start date:
2024
Project description:
Grapevine Leafroll-associated Virus-3 (GLRaV-3) is the primary cause of Grapevine Leafroll disease (GLD). Control of this disease primarily depends on preventing its spread via virus-free propagation material. Rapid virus detection plays a key role in this control; however, large-scale diagnostics are expensive, time-consuming and laborious.
This study aims to establish a hand-held, field-deployable device for detecting GLRaV-3 under field conditions via a crude RNA extraction protocol that is to be fed into a CRISPR/Cas12-based detection reaction.
The proposed field-deployable detection device for GLRaV-3 will significantly reduce the challenges associated with large-scale diagnostics, leading to more efficient disease control and improved grapevine health. Although the prototype device will be developed for GLRaV-3, it will be possible to convert the system quickly and at minimal cost to detect any other pathogen of interest.
This is a highly innovative project that will allow non-scientists to detect leafroll virus reliably and affordably in the field—a first for grapevine viruses.