A program in Plant Pathology concentrates primarily on the bacterial pathogen Xylella fastidiosa, the causative agent of Pierce's disease and, secondarily on fungal diseases of grape.

A program in Genetics and Biotechnology seeks to develop disease resistant vines by various means, including conventional breeding, somatic cell genetics and genetic engineering.

Personnel in the Viticulture Core Laboratories at the MREC:

Donald L. Hopkins, Professor/Plant Pathologist & Center Director

Ms. Constance Thompson, Senior Biological Scientist

Ms. Nancy Barnett, Senior Laboratory Technician

Ms. Wanda Owens,

Dennis J. Gray, Professor/Developmental Biologist

Zhijian Li, PhD, Senior Biological Scientist

Sadanand Dhekney, PhD, Postdoctoral Research Associate

Mr. Manjul Dutt, Doctoral Graduate Student

Also: Ms. Karen Kelley, Senior Laboratory Technician & Greenhouse/Vineyard Manager