CSIRO researchers have achieved a scientific advance of international significance with the creation of what may be the world's first gene-modified grapevine.

The vine, which paves the way for major gains in both productivity and quality for the $1.5 billion a year wine, grape and dried fruits industries, was developed at CSIRO Horticulture in Adelaide, by Dr Tricia Franks, Dr Mark Thomas and Dr Nigel Scott.

The team employed a special bacterium as a "taxi" to transport a novel gene into the DNA of grapevine cells and then demonstrated that it worked in its new setting.

Their achievement comes part of a neck-and-neck race between Australian, French and American horticultural researchers, who are also claiming to have developed the world's first genetically transformed vine.

"Using this technology, we can create grapevines with enhanced flavour, improved colour development and increased disease resistance," team leader, Dr Scott says.

"We have already identified the gene that causes sultanas to turn dark brown when they are dried. We believe we will soon be able to turn off this gene and produce superb golden-coloured sultanas."

"We have the genes and all the tools we need to go ahead and produce superior performance out of the existing elite grapevine varieties. That's where Australia's advantage lies."

Former president of the Australian Winemakers Federation, Mr Brian Croser said the team's achievement represented a large gamble which had paid off for the Australian wine industry

"The industry invested in this blue-sky project, recognising that the returns were potentially enormous even though the chances of success were low. This is a major victory for the industry," he said.

"The opportunity to introduce disease resistance and other valuable characteristics into grapevines without changing the essential quality of varieties offers Australia its biggest potential gains in the winery and the vineyard," Mr Croser says.

Working with the Co-operative Research Centre for Viticulture, CSIRO scientists are presently investigating genes which control the sweetness, flavour and colour development in grapes.

More information: Dr Nigel Scott 07 3377 0263 (bus. hours) 041 9838 626 (mobile) or Katrina Nitschke 08 8303 8605 (bus.) 08 8303 8344 (a/h)
Media vision opportunity: scientists with gene-modified grapevine.