Devon Christensen
Grapevine Winter Recovery from Xylella fastidiosa Infection
Xylella fastidiosa is a bacterium that infects the xylem tissue of many plant species, disrupting water
and nutrient transport and ultimately leading to vine decline and death—as the disease it causes in grapevines is known as
Pierce’s disease. This disease has significant economic consequences for the California wine
industry. Interestingly, in regions with colder winters, some infected grapevines are able to
eliminate the infection in a process known as winter recovery. The research I am conducting,
with the help of my mentor, aims to deepen our understanding of how and why winter recovery
occurs. We hope that this investigation will yield insights to the biological mechanisms that
influence a vine’s ability to recover from Xylella fastidiosa infection.
Message To Sponsor
Thank you so much to the generous donor who made this opportunity possible. Participating in undergraduate research has given me the confidence, skills, and experience I need as I prepare to pursue a PhD. I am incredibly grateful for the funding that allows me to continue working on the research I am deeply passionate about.