Uso de um micropéptido codificado por um miRNA não maduro (miPEP) como uma estratégia baseada na biologia para proteger a videira contra a devastadora doença do lenho “Esca”

The proposed research project ambitiously aims to tackle the significant challenge of Esca disease in grapevines, a devastating disease with severe socio-economic impacts on viticulture globally, particularly in regions integral to wine production like Portugal's Douro Valley. Therefore, the major question/scientific challenge that this project aims to answer/overcome is: 1. IS miPEP-WRKY8 EXOGENOUS APPLICATION A GROUNDBREAKING BIO-BASED SOLUTION TO PROTECT GRAPEVINE FROM ESCA INFECTION AND/OR PROGRESSION? In fact, the project intends to validate and optimize the application of the recently identified miPEP3631 (miPEP-WRKY8) as a new safe, sustainable, bio-based, non-genetic engineering tool to i) confer grapevine resistance against infection with the Esca-causing fungal pathogens; and/or ii) block the progression of Esca complex diseases and related symptoms in already infected grapevines. Indeed, the objectives of the project are to go beyond the current state of the art, embodying a multi-disciplinary approach that integrates plant biochemistry, molecular biology, and viticulture with cutting-edge omics technologies. To accomplish its major objective, several smaller-scale objectives will be pursued, as pieces of the intricate puzzle that will be tackling Esca in grapevine, as follows: 1- To validate the efficacy of miPEP-WRKY8 in enhancing the synthesis and accumulation of antifungal stilbenes in grapevine, leveraging our preliminary findings that demonstrate miPEP-WRKY8's potential in stimulating stilbene-synthetic molecular mechanisms. Comprehensive metabolomics and transcriptional analyses will be employed to achieve this. This objective also challenges the conventional approaches to disease management in viticulture and introduces a groundbreaking, nature-based solution for disease resistance. 2- To establish a grapevine cuttings model for controlled assessment of miPEP-WRKY8's protective effects against Esca, ensuring a robust and reproducible platform for testing and optimization. This model will provide vital insights into the miPEP3631's mechanisms of action and its potential as a sustainable disease management strategy. 3-To employ metagenomics and symptom analysis to assess the impact of miPEP-WRKY8 on the progression of Esca infection under controlled conditions, providing a direct measure of the miPEP's efficacy in disease mitigation. 4-To perform field validation of miPEP-WRKY8's effectiveness in real-world vineyard conditions, translating laboratory findings into practical, actionable anti-Esca solutions for grapevine growers. This objective embodies the project's ambition to deliver tangible benefits to the viticulture industry and ensure the resilience of grapevine populations against Esca disease. The proposed project not only aims to address a critical challenge in viticulture but also aspires to redefine the paradigms of plant disease management through the innovative use of miPEPs. By exploring novel concepts and approaches, this project positions itself at the forefront of interdisciplinary research, poised to make substantial contributions to plant science, viticulture, and the broader agricultural sector. The ambitious objectives set forth promise to advance scientific knowledge and offer new avenues for sustainable agriculture, underscoring the project's potential for significant economic and socio-cultural impact.