Project
Human Practices
Dry Lab
Wet Lab
Jamboree
The olive tree has been cultivated in Greece
for thousands of years and is much more than just a plant; it is a
cornerstone of the nation's
history, daily life, and economy. Covering
60% of the land used
for tree crops, olives are a vital resource for the country.
Click Thessaly for more.
In Thessaly alone, more than 500,000 hectares are dedicated to olive groves, showing their value to the region. This crop sustains many families and communities.
However, olive trees can suffer from various diseases, including fungal infections, significantly impacting olive yields. The spread of crop diseases makes farming more difficult and uncertain , threatening the security of growers' incomes and food production.
Verticillium dahliae is advancing an invisible battle at the roots of olive trees, threatening an entire industry. The time for action is now.
It’s not just a scientific challenge. It’s a fight for the survival of agricultural production and ecosystems, as livelihoods, traditions, and entire communities are at stake.
Our project draws inspiration from Muse Thalia, whose name comes from the Greek verb θαλλέω , meaning " to thrive and grow." Just like Thalia, our mission is to empower olive trees to not only survive but flourish against the challenges they sustain, restoring their vitality and ensuring their enduring legacy.
In a rapidly changing world, agriculture needs new strategies. We
offer an innovative response to the coming crisis.
We respond to the threat building the way for a
sustainable
tomorrow.
Recognizing the potential of bmRNAi, we developed THAELIA, a modular bacterial system that produces dsRNA to precisely target and silence essential fungal genes. By disrupting the growth and virulence of V. dahliae, THAELIA offers a sustainable new approach to fungal control.
