Molecular Biology & Biotechnology of the Grapevine


Book Description

Grapevine is one of the major cultivated plant crops. As with most woody plant species, molecular biology and biotechnology have progressed at a slow pace, due to several obstacles which have had to be overcome. However, substantial progress has now been made and useful information has been accumulated in the literature; numerous genes have been characterized from grapevine and significant progress has been made in the molecular and non-molecular biotechnological applications. In an effort to collect and present the state of the art on grapevine molecular biology and biotechnology, 41 scientists from 12 countries worked jointly on the preparation of this book. It is intended as a reference book for viticulturists, graduate and undergraduate students, biotechnological companies, and any scientist who is interested in molecular biology and biotechnology of plants with emphasis on grapevine.




Grapevine Molecular Physiology & Biotechnology


Book Description

Grapevine is one of the most widely cultivated plant species worldwide. With the publication of the grapevine genome sequence in 2007, a new horizon in grapevine research has unfolded. Thus, we felt that a new edition of ‘Molecular Biology & Biotechnology of the Grapevine’ could expand on all the latest scientific developments. In this edition and with the aid of 73 scientists from 15 countries, ten chapters describe new aspects of Grapevine Molecular Physiology and Biotechnology and eleven chapters have been revised and updated. This book is intended to be a reference book for researchers, scientists and biotechnological companies, who want to be updated in viticultural research, but also it can be used as a textbook for graduate and undergraduate students, who are interested in the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology of Plants with an emphasis on the Grapevine.







Molecular Biology & Biotechnology of the Grapevines


Book Description

Molecular biology of sugar and anthocyanin accumulation in grape berries; Grape berry acidity; Nitrogen biology and biochemistry of proline accumulation in developing grape berries; Polyamines in grapevine; Physiological role and molecular aspects of grapevine stilbenic compounds; Pathogenisis related proteins-their accumulation in grapes during berry growth and their involvement in white wine heat instability. Current knowledge and future perspectives in relation to winemaking practices; Alcohol dehydrogenase: a molecular marker in grapevine; Enhacement of aroma in grapes and wines: biotechnolodical approaches; Water transport and aquaporins in grapevine; Plant organization based on source-sink relationships: new findings on developmental, biochemical and molecular responses to environment; In vitro culture and propagation of grapevine; Somatic embryogenesis in grapevine; Protoplast technology in grapevine; grapevine genetic engineering; Geneticaly engineered grape for disease and stress tolerance; Microsatellite markers for grapevine: a state of the art.




Biology of Microorganisms on Grapes, in Must and in Wine


Book Description

The second edition of the book begins with the description of the diversity of wine-related microorganisms, followed by an outline of their primary and energy metabolism. Subsequently, important aspects of the secondary metabolism are dealt with, since these activities have an impact on wine quality and off-flavour formation. Then chapters about stimulating and inhibitory growth factors follow. This knowledge is helpful for the growth management of different microbial species. The next chapters focus on the application of the consolidated findings of molecular biology and regulation the functioning of regulatory cellular networks, leading to a better understanding of the phenotypic behaviour of the microbes in general and especially of the starter cultures as well as of stimulatory and inhibitory cell-cell interactions during wine making. In the last part of the book, a compilation of modern methods complete the understanding of microbial processes during the conversion of must to wine.This broad range of topics about the biology of the microbes involved in the vinification process could be provided in one book only because of the input of many experts from different wine-growing countries.




Methodologies and Results in Grapevine Research


Book Description

Grapevine is a crop of major economical interest, and wine represents a multicultural heritage which has been growing since several milleniums. Yet, modern viticulture must face several challenges. Global climate has increased berry sugar content (and alcohol in the wine) whereas phenolic and aromatic ripeness are not always achieved. Water supply is becoming shorter. New varieties better adapted to new climatic conditions might have to be planted, which may affect wine typicity. Phytochemical treatments are more controlled, and the consumer pays increasing attention to environmentally safe practices. New methods reducing pesticide use, but maintaining yield and typicity, must be designed. The present book illustrates the recent progress made in ecophysiology, molecular and cell biology, and pathology of grapevine, as well as in precision viticulture and berry composition. Combination of these new tools with field observations will undoubtly make it easier to face the challenges described above. These multidisciplinary contributions will be of interest to anyone involved in grapevine and wine activities.




Grapevine in a Changing Environment


Book Description

Grapes (Vitis spp.) are economically the most important fruit species in the world. Over the last decades many scientific advances have led to understand more deeply key physiological, biochemical, and molecular aspects of grape berry maturation. However, our knowledge on how grapevines respond to environmental stimuli and deal with biotic and abiotic stresses is still fragmented. Thus, this area of research is wide open for new scientific and technological advancements. Particularly, in the context of climate change, viticulture will have to adapt to higher temperatures, light intensity and atmospheric CO2 concentration, while water availability is expected to decrease in many viticultural regions, which poses new challenges to scientists and producers. With Grapevine in a Changing Environment, readers will benefit from a comprehensive and updated coverage on the intricate grapevine defense mechanisms against biotic and abiotic stress and on the new generation techniques that may be ultimately used to implement appropriate strategies aimed at the production and selection of more adapted genotypes. The book also provides valuable references in this research area and original data from several laboratories worldwide. Written by 63 international experts on grapevine ecophysiology, biochemistry and molecular biology, the book is a reference for a wide audience with different backgrounds, from plant physiologists, biochemists and graduate and post-graduate students, to viticulturists and enologists.




Bioactive Polyphenols from Wine Grapes


Book Description

Is red wine good for you? And if so, why? How much? And what are the actual benefits? This addition to the SpringerBriefs in Cell Biology series thoroughly but succinctly answers these questions. It covers the biochemistry, health benefits and therapeutic potential of wine grapes. It begins with an overview of phytoalexin production in Vitis vinifera (Common Grape Vine), detailing the relationship of resveratrol to analogues such as pterostilbene, piceid and the viniferins (resveratrol oligomers). The discussion then turns to the hundreds of reports linking resveratrol and related grape vine polyphenols to various beneficial health effects especially cardio- and cerebro- vascular, metabolic, anti-inflammatory and more. Also addressed are the numerous intracellular mechanisms that have been shown to mediate the effects of these compounds in mammalian cells and tissues. Finally, the authors discuss aspects of polyphenol bioavailability and how this will influence choices taken for delivering these compounds as nutritional supplements. A brief chapter containing general conclusions and prospectus rounds out the information. ​




Biology of the Grapevine


Book Description

Information on the evolution, taxonomy, morphology, anatomy, physiology and genetics of grapevines has been scarce and thinly spread in the literature on horticulture and the plant sciences. This book aims to provide a concise but comprehensive overview of the biology and cultivation of the grapevine, accessible to all concerned with viticulture. After a description of the essential features of viticulture, including a concise history from antiquity to modern times, the taxonomy of the grapevine and the evolutionary processes which gave rise to the diversity within the Vitaceae is considered. Particular attention is paid to the genera Vitis and Muscadinia, which are considered a reserve of genetic variation for the improvement of grapevines. A description of the vegetative and reproductive anatomy of the grapevine precedes a full discussion of the developmental and environmental physiology of these fascinating and economically important plants. The concluding chapter considers the potential for genetic improvement of grapevines and includes coverage of the problems encountered, and the methods and strategies employed in breeding for scions and rootstocks.




Grape and Wine Biotechnology


Book Description

Grape and Wine Biotechnology is a collective volume divided into 21 chapters focused on recent advances in vine pathology and pests, molecular tools to control them, genetic engineering and functional analysis, wine biotechnology including molecular techniques to study Saccharomyces and non-Saccharomyces yeast in enology, new fermentative applications of nonconventional yeasts in wine fermentation, biological aging on lees and wine stabilization, advanced instrumental techniques to detect wine origin and frauds, and many other current applications useful for researchers, lecturers, and vine or wine professionals. The chapters have been written by experts from different universities and research centers of 13 countries being representative of the knowledge, research, and know-how of many wine regions worldwide.