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. Registration open.

When: Thursday, 24 April 2025 from 14:00 to 16:00 CET

Where: Online on the Webex platform hosted by the University of Ljubljana (link to be sent prior event)

The purpose of the event is to present the ViroiDoc project, introduce the team, and present the background and objectives of the project. The programme will also include two lectures on viroids by Beatriz Navarro Ramirez (CNR) and José-Antonio Daròs (CSIC).

Please register by 23 April here.
For more information, contact info@viroidoc.eu.

Event topic

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.

About lectures

Taking a peek at viroids by José-Antonio Daròs, CSIC (ES)
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.

Viroid-like RNAs widespread and infectious? by Beatriz Navarro, CNR (IT) 
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.