ViroiDoc Online Event – 24 April 2025

Join the ViroiDoc Project Community for an engaging online event dedicated to exploring the fascinating world of viroids and viroid-like RNAs.

The event will introduce the ViroiDoc MSCA Doctoral Network project, presenting its goals, scientific background, and the international consortium behind the initiative. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn about the latest advances in viroid research and its relevance across scientific and agricultural communities.

The programme includes two expert talks by renowned viroid researchers, Beatriz Navarro Ramirez (CNR) and José-Antonio Daròs (CSIC). These lectures will highlight recent findings and offer insights into the importance of viroids and viroid-like RNAs.

This event is open to a wide audience, including researchers, professors, students, industry professionals, farmers, policymakers, and anyone with an interest in plant health and RNA biology.

Whether you're deeply involved in viroid research or simply curious about this unique field, this event offers valuable knowledge and networking opportunities.

Programme

14:00–14:15    Welcome

  • Marina Pintar, Dean of the Biotechnical Faculty UL (SI)
  • Stojan Sorčan, NCP MSCA Slovenia

14:15–14:40    ViroiDoc at a glance by Sabina Berne, UL (SI)

14:40–14:50    Partner’s Tour the Table by Ester Stajič & Taja Jeseničnik, UL (SI)

14:50–15:00    ViroiDoc doctoral program and training by Nataša Štajner, UL (SI)

15:10–15:15    Coffee break

15:15–15:35    Lecture Taking a peek at viroids by José-Antonio Daròs, CSIC (ES)
15:35–15:50    Lecture Viroid-like RNAs widespread and infectious? by Beatriz Navarro, CNR (IT)
15:50–16:00    Takeaways by Jernej Jakše, UL (SI)

 

 

About ViroiDoc

ViroiDoc project is an interdisciplinary research initiative that explores the subject of viroids and viroid-like RNAs. ViroiDoc consortium unites laboratories, academic and industry partners from the EU and beyond. These partners specialise in the domains of plant breeding, plant pathogen diagnostics, plant protection and consulting. ViroiDoc offers an interdisciplinary research and innovative training environment for 10 doctoral students.

ViroiDoc is currently seeking 10 highly doctoral candidates to join research laboratories in France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Slovenia and Spain. This is a job opportunity to take part in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA). The deadline for applications is 25 April 2025.

ViroiDoc is funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe MSCA DN programme.

 

About lectures

Taking a peek at viroids by José-Antonio Daròs (CSIC)
Viroids are particular infectious agents composed of a small, circular, highly base-paired RNA that does not encodes proteins. After more than fifty years of research, we know a great deal about structure, replication, phylogeny, pathogenicity, and host range; however, much still remains unknown, awaiting a new generation of viroid researchers.

José-Antonio Daròs is a research Professor at the Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP) / Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Spain. His research group is developing new biotechnological strategies for crop protection and repurposing plant viruses and viroids into useful tools for biotechnology and synthetic biology.

Viroid-like RNAs widespread and infectious? by Beatriz Navarro (CNR)
Originally thought to be restricted to plants and animals, viroid-like RNAs have been recently found to be widely distributed in a variety of ecosystems, extending their host range to fungi and prokaryotes. However, the biological and ecological significance of these new putative infectious circular RNA elements remains to be investigated.

Beatriz Navarro Ramirez is a senior researcher at the Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (IPSP) of the National Research Council (CNR), Italy. Her research focuses on the study of the molecular interactions between viroids/virus and their host plants.

 

Further information: info[at]viroidoc.eu

The event in English is the public part of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's kick-off meeting.

The organiser reserves the right to make changes to the programme.