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So what can Covid-19 remind us about grapevine genetics? The most obvious thing is risk.

OPINION: People tend to think of evolution as something that only happened in the past.

Say the word evolution, and it sparks images of our knuckle-dragging ancestors learning to walk upright and, eventually, to slouch over a computer.

With a wave of stories in recent days about Covid-19 virus mutations and a race for a vaccine -think again about evolution.

It's the continuous churn of diversity and competition that is central to life on our planet, and what we are seeing right now with Covid-19 is evolution in action.

This is no cause for alarm or panic, nor is it news for the global science community. Rather, it's a reminder that life's blueprints are constantly changing, whether humans can see it or not.

So with reports coming from all corners of the world about the growing number of virus strains as it incorrectly replicates its own RNA it begs a question. If a virus can do this, what else can? The answer is every living thing from grapevines to humans.

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With our wine industry based on millions of copies of just a few individual clones, any biosecurity risk could be potentially catastrophic.

It's the reason the DNA in your left hand is slightly different to your right hand. Whenever new cells are formed, DNA must be replicated and, sometimes, there are errors.

This is why, for example, red grapes occasionally appear on a Sauvignon Blanc vine the DNA sequence has naturally changed as cells divide and the vine grows.

Genetic changes in grapevines -in their natural environment -is what I investigate at Bragato Research Institute as part of our Grapevine Improvement Programme.

It's also the basis behind our new website called Odd Vine (oddvine.co.nz), where anyone can submit a photo of odd vines in their vineyards. In New Zealand, every grapevine clone we have is because someone noticed something odd growing in a vineyard and collected it.

So what can Covid-19 remind us about grapevine genetics? First, is about risk.

Covid researchers are now looking at the DNA of infected people to investigate why the virus attacks some individuals severely while other people are asymptomatic.

More than other nations, the New Zealand wine industry is based on millions of copies of just a few individual clones. Think about the risk this could pose in the wake of a challenge, such as climate change or a biosecurity risk, for example.

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The DNA of all living things constantly changes, and understanding this in relationship to other things will be key.

Secondly, the Covid-19 pandemic should remind us that genetics needs ongoing attention -and funding -even when we are not in a time of crisis.

There are two factors that influence how a vine grows and produces fruit: its genetics and its environment. As an industry, we spend a lot of time and money on the latter -irrigating, pruning, spraying and fertilising.

We'll even hire helicopters just to change the micro-environment for a few hours.In stark contrast, we have propagated the same clones for decades, almost all of which were selected for their performance in overseas climates. This practice puts the brakes on the natural genetic cycles of selection adaptation in our vines.

The Bragato Research Institute is driving the work to identify and provide vines with improved traits and resilience, enabling the protection and growth of the New Zealand wine industry for future generations.

While no-one expects grapevines or the Covid-19 virus to evolve beyond recognition in our lifetimes, I can guarantee one thing. The DNA of all living things will continue to change, whether or not humans can see it, benefit from it or are inconvenienced by it.

* Dr Lizamore is the Principal Scientist for Grapevine Improvement for the Blenheim-based Bragato Research Institute (bri.co.nz). He holds a PhD in Molecular Genetics and Genomics from Lincoln University, spending the past decade studying plant genetics, DNA sequencing and what -in the natural environment - causes grapevines to evolve.

More here:
Coronavirus: Genetic research and Covid-19 - Stuff.co.nz