MSCA doctoral research in viroids

Following ViroiDoc MSCA Doctoral Candidates as they explore viroids across laboratories and continents.

The ViroiDoc MSCA Doctoral Candidates (DCs) are advancing research at the intersection of plant health, molecular biology, and sustainable agriculture. Their current work involves experimental, technological, and computational approaches to better understand and manage viroid diseases.

Weigeng Liu specialises in electrochemical biosensing technologies at the NIC in Slovenia. His research focuses on developing electrochemical sensors to detect viroids, which are small RNA pathogens that pose a significant threat to global agriculture. By designing rapid and highly sensitive detection platforms, he is helping to improve plant disease monitoring and develop more sustainable crop management strategies.

At the IHPS in Slovenia, Octave Lacroix is investigating the impact of climate change on viroid diseases in hops. As part of this work, more than 300 hop plants have been inoculated under controlled climatic conditions to assess viroid transmission dynamics. The study evaluates the success of inoculation with CBCVd (Cocadviroid rimocitri) and HLVd (Cocadviroid latenshumuli) through mechanical wounding under induced drought and heat stress. Physiological and metabolomic parameters were measured at the time of inoculation to better understand plant susceptibility. Preliminary findings indicate increased viroid transmission at elevated temperatures, particularly in the absence of drought stress. Inoculation success will be further assessed using RT-qPCR at 2 and 12 months post-inoculation.

At the CNR in Italy, Fabio D’Alessandro examines the molecular and physiological mechanisms underlying viroid-induced diseases. Using chrysanthemum and tomato as model systems, his research integrates omics approaches with phenotyping to dissect host responses to both symptomatic and latent infections. This work aims to deepen our understanding of viroid–host interactions and support the development of improved disease management strategies and early detection tools.

Also, at CNR, Vjeko Hrabar is exploring the diversity of viroid-like RNAs in fungi. His research investigates whether naturally occurring RNA agents within fungi could offer new insights into biological control strategies, potentially opening alternative avenues to protect crops from fungal pathogens.

At the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana, João Colaço is analysing publicly available datasets to better understand the prevalence of viroid infections across plant species, including potato, petunia, and coconut. His work also involves experimental validation, where he and the research team are testing primers to amplify Virp1 gene homologs in hops and cannabis.

Judith López Ponce is currently undertaking her second secondment at the Institute of Biotechnology and Molecular Biology (IBBM) in La Plata, Argentina, under the supervision of Eduardo Peña. There, Judith is being trained in advanced confocal imaging techniques to visualize RNA particles using fluorescent RNA-binding proteins. Her mobility experience builds on a previous secondment at the University of Crete (IMBB), further strengthening her interdisciplinary expertise.

Together, the DCs' individual research projects illustrate the range of research undertaken by the ViroiDoc doctoral candidates and demonstrate their collective contribution to addressing urgent challenges in plant health and agricultural sustainability.

Celebrating 30 years of the MSCA

To mark the 30th anniversary of the MSCA, in February ViroiDoc has launched a blog series in which doctoral candidates share their international research experiences. These stories provide insight into the scientific, cultural, and personal dimensions of mobility, highlighting the global journeys of the fellows and their perspectives on research and collaboration.

Find out more about the global journey of the ViroiDoc DCs:

• How João finds himself caught between labs and landscapes
• Vjeko’s guide to to life and work-life balance as an MSCA fellow
• What Judith learned as an MSCA fellow