The Pinot Noir Grapevine Genome Initiative

The Pinot Noir Grapevine Genome Initiative (PNGGI) is an international consortium of researchers coordinated by the IASMA Research Center with the goal of sequencing the Pinot noir genome.

PNGGI made a clear choice to sequence the genome of a commercial variety of Pinot noir. It means that our research effort has a good chance of having an impact on agriculture. Our choice contrasts with conventional practice of genome sequencing based on the use of a homozygous genotype. In the later case, sequence assembly is simpler, but you miss finding polymorphisms useful both for anchoring sequences to chromosomes (genetic maps) as well as for breeding purposes. Moreover, genome analysis of a cultivated variety makes it possible to study the complexity of the Vitis vinifera genome, including the evaluation of "junk DNA", that is the portion of DNA of unknown function which constitutes the largest part of the genome in higher species.

PNGGI’s goal is ambitious in that it seeks to find highly informative molecular markers starting from the sequencing of a heterozygous genome (i.e. using a variety under cultivation). This choice is advantageous because it provides more knowledge about genetic variability, leading to insights useful in our plans for breeding with marker assisted selection.

PNGGI research is opening new horizons for improvements to grapevine with potential benefits in terms of quality, nutrition, and environmental impact, especially due to reduced need for pesticides and other chemicals.