The event will start with a technical introduction, followed by welcome remarks from Dr. Luigi Cattivelli, Director of the CREA Research Center for Genomics and Bioinformatics. Dr. Cattivelli coordinates Italy’s national BIOTECH project dedicated to genome editing (Biotecnologie sostenibili in Agricoltura). He is an expert on the genetics and molecular biology of cereals (barley, wheat, and rice) and played a key role in the international initiative to sequence the durum wheat genome.

The workshop continues with a series of talks focusing on the potential of genome editing in viticulture. First, Dr. Claudio Moser from the Edmund Mach Foundation of San Michele all’Adige will discuss the use of this technology to improve grapevine disease resistance. Dr. Laurent Deluc of Oregon State University will then deliver a presentation on marker-free genome editing in grapevine, and Dr. Riccardo Velasco from CREA will round out this portion with a talk on the potential of this technology, particularly with respect to improved varieties for Italy.

The second half of the event focuses on challenges to the commercialization of grape varieties developed using genome editing, with talks on potential consumer acceptance of wines made using fungus-resistant grapes, the views of young farmers on new genomic techniques, and the impact of regulation on the economics of genome-edited crops. Speakers include Ms. Diana Lenzi from the European Council of Young Farmers (CEJA) and Prof. Kai Purnhagen from the Research Center for German and European Food Law at the University of Bayreuth.

The online activity will include two discussion and Q&A sessions. The first will be on the potential application of genome editing for climate-resilient wine grapes from a scientific perspective, and the second will be on the socio-economic aspects of implementing this technology. These sessions will give participants an opportunity to submit questions for input from the presenters, as well as allow the experts to exchange ideas in a panel format. While this virtual workshop will be most relevant to audiences in the European Union, anyone interested in the subject is welcome to attend.