Doctorant chercheur

New determinants of Grapevine resistance for the development of varieties resistant to fungal diseases

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NB: LinkedIn applications will not be considered

Summary:

Grapevines, which are an economic, cultural and tourist pillar of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, are under serious threat from fungal diseases such as downy mildew, powdery mildew and grey mould. These pathogens cause major losses and lead to massive use of plant protection products, with negative impacts on the environment and human health. Faced with these challenges, and building on the results of the CryptoCARBO project (ESR Nouvelle-Aquitaine Project, 2021-2024), this three-year multidisciplinary project aims to identify new determinants of grapevine tolerance to pathogenic fungi, in particular Botrytis cinerea, in order to develop resistant varieties that reduce chemical inputs while supporting sustainable viticulture.

Context and research questions:

Using innovative approaches, the project aims to identify new genes linked to basal tolerance or susceptibility of grapevines to Botrytis cinerea. This research is in direct response to strong demand from the wine industry. While resistance genes have been identified for downy mildew and powdery mildew, and promising work is underway for black rot, there is a glaring lack of grey mould resistance genes. The results of the project will make it possible to fill this gap and develop more resistant varieties through selection and cross-breeding programmes.

Project description:

This Ph.D. project is organised in three principal axes:

1. Identification of the genetic determinants of tolerance and susceptibility using bioinformatics approach
2. Functional validation of candidate genes: orthologs identification, mutant phenotyping and biochemical characterisation of the corresponding proteins
3. Research on natural varieties and variants for the development of tolerant varieties

Methodology and implementation:

The project will begin with an in-depth analysis of RNAseq and metabolomic data obtained from the CryptoCARBO project (2021-2024). This approach will help identify key factors involved in tolerance mechanisms and unravel molecular networks related to grapevine immune responses. The candidate genes identified will be compared to their orthologs in Arabidopsis thaliana. Knock-out or gain-of-function mutants of these genes in A. thaliana and/or V. vinifera will confirm their role in plants response to Botrytis cinerea. A genetic analysis of these genes in Vitis sp will then allow the detection of natural variants that favour resistance, as well as non-functional variants associated with susceptibility. These discoveries will support the development of introgression programs, in partnership with industry stakeholders, aiming to preserve the uniqueness of grapevine varieties while enhancing their resistance.

Profile sought:

Postgraduate degree (engineer or Master’s level) in plant biology, biotechnology or related fields.

Desired skills:

• Excellent proficiency in molecular biology
• Excellent command of English: scientific literature, writing and expression
• Proficiency in data analysis with R
• Liking for multidisciplinary research and knowledge dissemination
• Experience in plant pathology is a plus

Application package:

In a single PDF document: Motivation letter + CV + Academic transcripts from M1 and M2 + contact details of at least two referees (internship supervisors)