Genomics and the world of wine. Its a Monolith Moment We are at the beginning of a revolution that will change everything…

Genomics and the world of

wine

It’s a

Monolith Moment

We are at the beginning of a revolution that will change

everything…

What is a genome?

All of the DNA in an organism

Organized in Genes and Chromosomes

Determines traits and functions

An historical archive

The code of life

About DNA

Constructed of 4 chemicals A-T-C-G

Combine in pairs: creates a language

The language of computers 1-0

Human Genome consists of 3.2 Billion base pairs

Converted to binary our code is smaller than Microsoft Office!

Genomic Factoids

Human, Mouse, and Pinot Noir all have about 30,000 genes

Human has 3.2 Billion base pairs vs. Pinot Noir’s 500,000

All humans are 99.9% genetically identical

Genome size does not correlate with evolutionary status, nor is the number of genes proportionate with genome size

We can now read genomes

First Human Genome JC Venter: $3B/10 years

Second Human Genome: James Watson$2M/2 Months

Coming Soon: $5K/1 hour

You will carry your Genome in your wallet

We can now read genomes

What can we do with Genomes?

Learn the history of an organism

Understand functionality

Learn what “goes wrong”

Correct problems

Build better organisms

Harness Nature’s “toolbox”

We are now writing genomes

Mycoplasma genetalium

But there is an ecosystem

No organism is alone

Approximately 10lbs of microbes in your body right now

The world Ocean’s teaming with a microbial universe

Microbial life found in every corner of the planet

Microbes in root systems of plants have profound impact on their function

December 2007 Pinot Noir (Vitus Vinifera’s) Genome is Sequenced

29,000 Genes identified

Pathways discovered for flavor components

2X more discovered contribute to aroma

Areas of vulnerability to disease identified

So what next?

“Franken-Noir?”

We could build a better Vinifera

Evolve disease resistance

Design for higher yields

Expand the climate window

Produce better flavors and aromas

It can and will be done…

Root systemWorking the ecosystem

Microbes in the root system have major impact on the character of fruit

Many diverse microbial colonies

Microbes ingest organics and excrete various compounds

Compounds transported into plant via water

These nutrients stimulate metabolic pathways

Character, flavor and aroma produced

We can scientifically

characterize

“TERRIOR”

Sample Sequence Correlate Fertilize

Are we playing God?

It’s 100% Organic

Nature provides an extensive toolbox

There is also a set of “cosmic” rules

Humans HAVE been using the toolbox…

While still learning the rules

If we could:

Cure all disease

End hunger

Provide plentiful clean energy

Restore CO2 levels

Make better wine

Would we?

It is the next step in

Humankind’s evolution