Project Number
IPB 04-03
Project title
Genetic manipulation of fruit metabolism in grapevine
Project leader
Botha, F C
Institution
University of Stellenbosch. Institute for Plant Biotechnology
Team members
Heiten, N F
Project description
The project focusses on the genetic manipulation of fruit metabolism in grapevine. The project involves the identification of regulatory steps in sugar metabolism of grapes and the manipulation of these enzymes in transgenic grape by genetic transformation under control of fruit specific, developmentally regulated genetic elements (promoters). Two potential targets to alter the sugar and acid content of the ripening berries have been identified. Grapevine will be transformed with various genetic constructs to alter the activity of these two enzymes in vivo, thereby verifying their role in carbon partitioning. Genetic manipulation of grapevine will require specific genetic elements to regulate transgene expression. Due to the interest in manipulating fruit metabolism, the isolation and characterisation of fruit specific, developmentally regulated promoters from grapevine have been identified as being of strategic importance.
Poster(s)
Hiten, N F, Groenewald, J H and Botha, F C. 1999. Towards the manipulation of fructose 2,6-bishosphate in grapevine. Poster presented at the 24th National Congress of the South African Society for Enology and Viticulture. 18-19 November, Somerset West, South Africa.
Burger, A L and Botha, F C. 1999. Differentially expressed sequences from ripening Vitis vinifera berries. Poster presented at the South African Association for Botanists Conference, January, University of Transkei, Umtata.
Olivier, A J and Botha, F C. 2000. Isolation of RNA and preparation of cDNA libraries in Chardonnay berries. Poster presented at the South African Association for Botanists. January, Potchefstroom. South Africa.
Loubser, J, Groenewald, J H, Vivier, M A and Botha, F C. 2001. The optimisation of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of grapevine (Vitis vinifera). Poster presented at the South African Association for Botanists Conference. RAU, January, Johannesburg, South Africa.
Zwiegelaar, J P and Botha, F C. 2001. The study of gene expression on cellular level in grape berries. Poster presented at the South African Association for Botanists Conference. RAU, January, Johannesburg. South Africa.
Presentation(s)
Groenewald, J H and Botha, F C. 1999. Expression of Pyrophosphate dependant Phosphofructokinase (PFP) in ripening grape berries. November.
Burger, A L and Botha, F C. 1999. Differential gene expression during grape berry ripening. November.
Burger, A L and Botha, F C. 2000. Analysis of differentially expressed sequences from ripening Vitis vinifera berries. January, Potchefstroom University CHE, Potchefstroom.
Zwiegelaar, C and Botha, F C. The study of gene expression on cellular level in grape berries.
Loubser, J, Groenewald, J H, Vivier, M A and Botha, F C. The optimisation of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of grapevine (Vitis vinifera).
Venter, M and Botha, F C. 2001. Identification and analysis of differentially expressed sequences in Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay. Rand Afrikaans University, January, Johannesburg.
Burger, A L and Botha, F C. 2002. Characterisation of a fruit-specific, ripening-related cDNA from Vitis Vinifera cv. Merlot. Rhodes University, January, Grahamstown.
Zwiegelaar, J P and Botha, F C. 2002. South African Association for Botanists Annual Conference, January, Rhodes University, Grahamstown.
Article
Botha, F C. 1999. Struikelblokke in die weg van die benutting van genetiese manipulering vir die verbetering van druiwe, Wynboer, Mnth Aug (p. T8-10)
Venter, M, Burger, A L, Botha F C. 2001. Molecular analysis of fruit ripening: The identification of differentially expressed sequences in Vitis vinifera using cDNA-AFLP technology, Vitis, v. 40 (4) (p. 191-196)