Dr. Mark Paul Selda Rivarez, UBC – An Ilarvirus with Five Names and the Need for On-site, High-throughput Virus Diagnostics in Grapes

Dr. Mark Paul Selda Rivarez, the new Assistant Professor of Phytopathology and Virology at UBC, will introduce a proactive approach to protecting the BC wine grape industry from a new generation of complex viral threats. Using the recently discovered Solanum nigrum ilarvirus 1 (SnIV1) as a key case study, Dr. Rivarez will examine the challenges presented by emerging pathogens that can bypass traditional clean plant protocols. With confirmed detections in European grapevines and unconventional transmission pathways such as seed and pollen, SnIV1 emphasizes the need for more advanced diagnostic technologies to safeguard BC’s vineyards. The presentation will then introduce “PlantDx,” a Genome BC proposal for a portable genomic toolkit. This platform will utilize portable sequencing technology to bring diagnostics from the lab to the vineyard, allowing for rapid, on-site identification of both known and new viruses. Join us to discover how this research can boost our clean plant initiatives, enhance biosecurity, and secure the long-term health and profitability of the BC wine grape industry.