MYCORRAY is a tool to support decision-making.

It consists of two key elements. A DNA chip and a chip reader linked to a software system (Android app) that interprets the results of the chip. 

This molecular diagnostic tool helps identify the 12 types of pathogenic fungi associated with ESCA (grapevine trunk disease) and Agrobacterium vitis, responsible for Crown Gall disease. 

To develop this diagnostic tool, more than 80 DNA sequences (primers) have been established. Each fungus is identified using more than 3 associated genes to increase the specificity of the test. All these DNA sequences are linked to probes which are placed side by side on a single DNA chip (microarray chip), placed in the bottom of a tube to promote DNA hybridization between target and probes. 

This chip has about 160 targets as all the molecular reactions are repeated twice (“Duplica”).

The diagnostic findings obtained from this chip are easy to analyse using a chip reader combined with an android app, which interprets results from the chip and reproduces them on a touch screen. 

The results can be recovered on a USB stick to produce an analysis of findings.  


This tool will allow us to identify the pathogens associated with grape trunk disease in vineyards and nurseries. 

Just to remind you, ESCA is currently the European wine growing industry's primary concern.

Today, wood diseases are destroying vineyards. Research on the subject shows that this disease is largely caused by pathogenic fungi found in the affected vines.  

Today, there is no specialist service available to wine-growers or nursery gardeners so they can find out whether their plants are afflicted by these fungal diseases (something that is possible, in contrast, when it comes to viral diseases and Flavescence Dorée).  

These diagnostic services do not exist for the simple reason that up until now, there was no reliable diagnostic tool capable of performing this kind of diagnosis. 

The only available procedure was microbiological analysis (isolation of fungi in a Petri dish and observing under the microscope) which is a long and uncertain process. Or various molecular tests (PCR) that have never been approved (there are scientific publications but no commercials devices). 

Furthermore, this tool, unlike the simple PCR technique, is able to detect the main pathogens associated with trunk diseases simultaneously (Diplodia seriata, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Fomitiporia mediterranea, Ilyonectria Liriodendri, Eutypa lata, Phomopsis viticola, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Neofusicoccum parvum, Neofusicoccum luteum, and Agrobacterium vitis). 

The main strength of this device resides in its ability to identify each species based on more than 3 associated genes, increasing the specificity of the test (capital). 

Finally, what makes this molecular device really unique is the fact that the results of the analysis can be understood by non-molecular biologists, thanks to the camera that reads the DNA chip and interprets the results using an android app linked to the camera. 

This tool has been developed as part of a European project (FP7). This device is the property of Mercier Frères and other European partners. MERCIER is submitting its application with the agreement of the other partners.

MYCORRAY is a tool to support decision-making.

It consists of two key elements. A DNA chip and a chip reader linked to a software system (Android app) that interprets the results of the chip. 

This molecular diagnostic tool helps identify the 12 types of pathogenic fungi associated with ESCA (grapevine trunk disease) and Agrobacterium vitis, responsible for Crown Gall disease. 

To develop this diagnostic tool, more than 80 DNA sequences (primers) have been established. Each fungus is identified using more than 3 associated genes to increase the specificity of the test. All these DNA sequences are linked to probes which are placed side by side on a single DNA chip (microarray chip), placed in the bottom of a tube to promote DNA hybridization between target and probes. 

This chip has about 160 targets as all the molecular reactions are repeated twice (“Duplica”).

The diagnostic findings obtained from this chip are easy to analyse using a chip reader combined with an android app, which interprets results from the chip and reproduces them on a touch screen. 

The results can be recovered on a USB stick to produce an analysis of findings.  

This tool will allow us to identify the pathogens associated with grape trunk disease in vineyards and nurseries. 

Just to remind you, ESCA is currently the European wine growing industry’s primary concern.

Today, wood diseases are destroying vineyards. Research on the subject shows that this disease is largely caused by pathogenic fungi found in the affected vines.  

Today, there is no specialist service available to wine-growers or nursery gardeners so they can find out whether their plants are afflicted by these fungal diseases (something that is possible, in contrast, when it comes to viral diseases and Flavescence Dorée).  

These diagnostic services do not exist for the simple reason that up until now, there was no reliable diagnostic tool capable of performing this kind of diagnosis. 

The only available procedure was microbiological analysis (isolation of fungi in a Petri dish and observing under the microscope) which is a long and uncertain process. Or various molecular tests (PCR) that have never been approved (there are scientific publications but no commercials devices). 

Furthermore, this tool, unlike the simple PCR technique, is able to detect the main pathogens associated with trunk diseases simultaneously (Diplodia seriata, Phaeoacremonium aleophilum, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Fomitiporia mediterranea, Ilyonectria Liriodendri, Eutypa lata, Phomopsis viticola, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Botryosphaeria dothidea, Neofusicoccum parvum, Neofusicoccum luteum, and Agrobacterium vitis). 

The main strength of this device resides in its ability to identify each species based on more than 3 associated genes, increasing the specificity of the test (capital). 

Finally, what makes this molecular device really unique is the fact that the results of the analysis can be understood by non-molecular biologists, thanks to the camera that reads the DNA chip and interprets the results using an android app linked to the camera. 

This tool has been developed as part of a European project (FP7). This device is the property of Mercier Frères and other European partners. MERCIER is submitting its application with the agreement of the other partners.