dsRNA for the control of Esca-disease precursor fungi

The project aims at initiating a research and experimentation process on gene-silencing mechanisms – mediated by double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) - in esca-disease precursor fungi. Specific dsRNAs of essential genes of esca-disease pathogenic agents will be inoculated in plants affected by the disease itself, in order to trigger the RNA interference apparatus, thus leading to the degradation of the targeted messenger RNA, resulting in post-transcriptional gene silencing (PTGS). The project aims at laying the foundations for the creation of a real “gene therapy” for the control of one of the most important diseases in viticulture, thus offering an alternative and modern weapon for fighting the esca disease.