Cichorium intybus L. is the most economically important species of its genus and among the most important of the Asteraceae family. In chicory, many linkage maps have been produced, several sets of mapped and unmapped markers have been developed, and dozens of genes linked to traits of agronomic interest have been investigated. This treasure trove of information, properly cataloged and organized, is of pivotal importance for the development of superior commercial products with valuable agronomic potential in terms of yield and quality, including reduced bitter taste and increased inulin production, as well as resistance or tolerance to pathogens and resilience to environmental stresses. For this reason, a systematic review was conducted based on the scientific literature published in chicory during 1980–2023. Based on the results obtained from the meta-analysis, we created two consensus maps capable of supporting marker-assisted breeding (MAB) and marker-assisted selection (MAS) programs. By taking advantage of the recently released genome of C. intybus, we built a 639 molecular marker-based consensus map collecting all the available mapped and unmapped SNP and SSR loci available for this species. In the following section, after summarizing and discussing all the genes investigated in chicory and related to traits of interest such as reproductive barriers, sesquiterpene lactone biosynthesis, inulin metabolism and stress response, we produced a second map encompassing 64 loci that could be useful for MAS purposes. With the advent of omics technologies, molecular data chaos (namely, the situation where the amount of molecular data is so complex and unmanageable that their use becomes challenging) is becoming far from a negligible issue. In this review, we have therefore tried to contribute by standardizing and organizing the molecular data produced thus far in chicory to facilitate the work of breeders.

PIWI, from the German word Pilzwiderstandsfähig, meaning “fungus-resistant”, refers to grapevine cultivars bred for resistance to fungal pathogens such as Erysiphe necator (the causal agent of powdery mildew) and Plasmopara viticola (the causal agent of downy mildew), two major diseases in viticulture. These varieties are typically developed through traditional breeding, often crossbreeding European Vitis vinifera with American or Asian species that carry natural disease resistance. This study investigates the transcriptional profiles of exocarp tissues in mature berries from four PIWI grapevine varieties compared to their elite parental counterparts using RNA-seq analysis. We performed RNA-seq on four PIWI varieties (two red and two white) and their noble parents to identify differential gene expression patterns. Comprehensive analyses, including Differential Gene Expression (DEGs), Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA), Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA), and tau analysis, revealed distinct gene clusters and individual genes characterizing the transcriptional landscape of PIWI varieties. Differentially expressed genes indicated significant changes in pathways related to organic acid metabolism and membrane transport, potentially contributing to enhanced resilience. WGCNA and k-means clustering highlighted co-expression modules linked to PIWI genotypes and their unique tolerance profiles. Tau analysis identified genes uniquely expressed in specific genotypes, with several already known for their defense roles. These findings offer insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying grapevine resistance and suggest promising avenues for breeding strategies to enhance disease resistance and overall grape quality in viticulture.

Genome editing (GE) technologies have the potential to completely transform breeding and biotechnology applied to crop species, contributing to the advancement of modern agriculture and influencing the market structure. To date, the GE-toolboxes include several distinct platforms able to induce site-specific and predetermined genomic modifications, introducing changes within the existing genetic blueprint of an organism. For these reasons, the GE-derived approaches are considered like new plant breeding methods, known also as New Breeding Techniques (NBTs). Particularly, the GE-based on CRISPR/Cas technology represents a considerable improvement forward biotech-related techniques, being highly sensitive, precise/accurate, and straightforward for targeted gene editing in a reliable and reproducible way, with numerous applications in food-related plants. Furthermore, numerous examples of CRISPR/Cas system exploitation for non-editing purposes, ranging from cell imaging to gene expression regulation and DNA assembly, are also increasing, together with recent engagements in target and multiple chemical detection. This manuscript aims, after providing a general overview, to focus attention on the main advances of CRISPR/Cas-based systems into new frontiers of non-editing, presenting and discussing the associated implications and their relative impacts on molecular traceability, an aspect closely related to food safety, which increasingly arouses general interest within public opinion and the scientific community.

This research provides original insights into the diversity of DNA extracted from samples collected in 1978 from the Turin Shroud, revealing its biological complexity through rigorous DNA and metagenomic analyses. Our findings highlight its preservation conditions and environmental interactions, offering valuable perspectives into the identified genetic variants, which originated from multiple biological sources. Several human mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) lineages were identified, including K1a1b1a, which matches the 1978 official collector’s mitogenome, H2a2 ( i . e . the lineage of the mtDNA reference sequence rRCS), H1b, which is common in Western Eurasia, and H33, which is prevalent in the Near East and frequent among the Druze. Moreover, the reconstructed microbiome of the Shroud reveals a rich tapestry of multiple microbes commonly found on the human epidermis, as well as archaeal communities adapted to high salinity, and fungi including molds. This is indicative of the Shroud’s preservation conditions over the centuries. Additionally, the presence of abundant Mediterranean endemic red coral, various cultivated plants ( e . g . carrot, wheat, corn, bananas, and peanuts) and domesticated animals ( e . g . cattle, pigs, chickens, dogs, and cats) provide a fascinating glimpse into the diverse biological sources of the contaminants that have accumulated on the Turin Shroud over time. Finally, radiocarbon dating of two distinct threads collected from the reliquary provides evidence of their use to repair the Shroud in the years 1534 and 1694 of the Common Era (CE). Significance statement: An in-depth metagenomic analysis was conducted on several linen strands collected from different areas of the body image of the Man of the Shroud during the official sampling in 1978. Our analyses revealed several human mtDNA lineages, including one common in Western Eurasia and another prevalent in the Near East. Additionally, the diversity of animal and plant species identified details the significant environmental contamination of the Shroud that likely occurred in recent centuries, particularly following the voyages of Marco Polo and Christopher Columbus. Radiocarbon dating of two distinct textile residuals from the Shroud’s reliquary indicated a time range between 1451 and 1800 CE, overlapping with the period of its repair interventions.

Molecular genotyping is a key factor for plant breeding programming and Plant Variety Protection. However, its potential still remains to be elucidated when considering ornamental plants like Petunia × hybrida. In this study, a Petunia breeding clone collection, including sister line groups, was genotyped through double digest Restriction-site Associated DNA sequencing (ddRADseq), and its genetic diversity and structure were studied. In addition to estimate the high genetic similarity observed among sister lines, this approach allowed the unique discrimination of each clone too. Molecular results agreed with genealogy data, assessing genotyping effectiveness. In addition, the minimal number of variants able to correctly genotype the population was investigated. The variant number could be reduced to a hundred with minor adjustments in genotyping results. Moreover, analysis of the chromosomal distribution of variants revealed a predominant accumulation in distal regions. Eventually, genetic analyses were repeated considering only variants located in coding sequences and results were in agreement with what previously observed, disclosing the potential of the expressed regions for genotyping purposes. Our findings encourage the adoption of high-throughput and cost-effective sequencing techniques for plant genotyping, to enhance the technological advancement of breeding programs, in particular for ornamental species.