ENVIRONMENT

ACADEMIC INSTITUTIONS: 19 PRACTICES


TOPIC:

Initiative

Protecting the olive tree from the most serious fungal disease of the olive, Verticillium wilt.

Protecting the olive tree from the most serious fungal disease of the olive, Verticillium wilt.
SUBMITTED FROM:

iGEM Thessaly

iGEM Thessaly has participated in the competition in 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, achieving a gold medal for five consecutive years. Additionally, the team has received distinctions and nominations for special awards.

iGEM Competition

Our team is participating in the International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) competition, which promotes research and scientific progress through Synthetic Biology, an interdisciplinary field that combines Biology and Engineering. The competition, originally conceived by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), is organized annually by the non-profit iGEM Foundation, engaging over 7,000 students worldwide. The primary goal is to present innovative research projects focused on reengineering functional biological systems. This year's competition will be held in Paris.

 



Objective Action

Participation in the International Synthetic Biology Competition, iGEM, representing the University of Thessaly.

 

Target Audience

Olive producers in Greece, in the Mediterranean and by extension in Europe and other countries where the olive is cultivated, in order to save their crops and maintain high production levels, as well as agronomists who will sell the formulation to farmers.

                                      

 

Duration

The competition in which we will participate has a duration of 9 months, hence the duration of this project.                   

                    


Description

The solution we are proposing is a formulation that will cause silencing of genes critical to the survival of Verticillium dahliae, so we are effectively ensuring that the pathogen cannot survive. The application that we recommend is for critical periods when olive trees are most vulnerable. In particular, during the two most critical seasons of the year: spring and autumn. These seasons were chosen on the basis that Verticillium is most prevalent during these periods, due to the high temperatures and humidity that favour the growth of the pathogen. By tailoring our formulation to these critical periods, we aim to provide strong protection for olive trees under the threat of Verticillium.
Our solution is characterized by innovation, sustainability, scalability, low cost, ease of use and there is no comparable solution.

            


more...

Impact on Society

Our innovative system presents an effective solution to combat a fungus that cannot be treated with existing methods. It ensures the protection of biodiversity without harming plants, human health or the environment. The approach is also cost-effective.



Initiative Location

In areas where olive trees are present, as the problem of this fungal disease is global.


Working with Organization

We represent the University of Thessaly.
 


Workers Participation

It consists of students of the University of Thessaly.


Benefits for Οrganization




Connection with Global Goals






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