Grape Genomics

My program uses techniques and tools in grapevine biotechnology for grapevine precision breeding and genome editing. My activities will encompass Objective 1: Genes on the shelf, and I will be involved in functional analysis of selected candidate genes to powdery mildew infection using knock-in and knock- out approaches.

Dustin Wilkerson is a postdoctoral research associate at the Institute of Biotechnology at Cornell University with Qi Sun’s group. He has a B.S. in plant science from the University of Missouri - Columbia, an M.S. in plant breeding from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. in plant breeding from Cornell University. As part of VitisGen3, he works on trait mapping, candidate gene analysis, and the marker-assisted selection pipeline.

Lab manager, Genomic Facility in the Institute of Biotechnology. I have been processing MAS samples for the  Vitis group since 2013, including Microsatellites, AmpSeq and rhAmpSeq workflows.

Gan-Yuan manages the grape genetic research unit of the USDA at Cornell Agritech, along with developing and using genetic tools to improve grape fruit quality and vine architecture.

Dario is Professor and Louis P. Martini Endowed Chair in the Department of Viticulture and Enology at UC Davis. Dario leads Objective 1: Genes on the shelf, using curated genome assembly, genetic association, functional annotation, and gene expression to prioritize PM candidate genes identified in previous VitisGen projects for functional validation. 

Dr. Cadle-Davidson leads the team for Objective 2: Tools-in-the-toolbox. This objective aims to enrich germplasm in breeding programs for traits of interest using low-cost, data-driven solutions including computer vision for uniform data acquisition and support user-friendly DNA marker solutions.