Writing a scientific paper is a fundamental skill for researchers at every career stage. Beyond documenting results, scientific writing plays a central role in knowledge dissemination, academic visibility, and career advancement.

In the “Don’t Perish! A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Scientific Paper” workshop, Prof. Sophien Kamoun presents a clear and practical framework for planning, writing, and publishing research papers. The workshop emphasizes that successful papers are not just technically sound – they tell a compelling scientific story.

Watch the workshop video to discover practical strategies for writing and publishing a scientific paper. Below, explore key tips and insights to help you craft your manuscript with clarity and impact.

In this comprehensive workshop, Sophien Kamoun guides participants through the entire process of writing and publishing scientific papers, emphasizing that publishing is essential for communicating knowledge and advancing academic careers. He stresses that writing is primarily about constructing a clear, logical, and compelling story, encouraging the use of AI tools as tutors rather than ghostwriters.

Kamoun advocates integrating publication planning with ongoing research by developing storylines and outlines early, which helps prioritize experiments and focus literature reviews. He recommends creating shared folders for collaboration and stresses defining the unknown, main findings, and implications concisely to form the paper's backbone.

The workshop covers detailed guidance on writing each paper section: results should be written after finalizing figures; introductions are best drafted after results to tailor background; discussions offer creative freedom to relate findings to prior work and explore implications; abstracts are constructed last by extracting key sentences; and titles should be assertive and informative to attract readers.

Kamoun highlights the importance of preprinting to disseminate work rapidly and using social media threads to engage broader audiences. He underscores writing the methods section clearly for reproducibility and archiving code and data with permanent DOIs. Continuous reading and iterative editing are vital for improving writing skills, with AI tools serving as valuable assistants.

He advises clarity, simplicity, and active voice in writing, encourages reusing previous writing as templates, and cautions against passive voice. Responsible AI use is emphasized, with authors maintaining intellectual engagement. When choosing journals, authors should consider audience breadth and journal fit, while being wary of predatory publishers.

Finally, Kamoun offers practical advice on dealing with editors and reviewers, interpreting editorial language, and responding professionally to feedback. The session concludes with encouragement to celebrate publishing achievements and continued engagement with the scientific community.

Watch video and find out more about Q&A on Zenodo KamounLab Publications.

About the presenter

Sophien Kamoun is a Senior Scientist at The Sainsbury Laboratory and Professor of Biology at the University of East Anglia. Internationally recognized for pioneering work on plant diseases and immunity, he has developed genomics and molecular approaches that transformed understanding of eukaryotic plant pathogens and opened new paths to combat major crop diseases.

A champion of open science, Kamoun promotes preprints, transparent peer review, and open data to accelerate discovery. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society and recipient of major honours including the Kuwait Prize and the Linnean Medal. He co-founded Resurrect Bio and GetGenome, initiatives advancing innovation and equitable access to genomics worldwide.

For more than 25 years, he has delivered the “Don’t Perish” workshop to help early-career scientists communicate their work clearly and publish papers that matter.

The online event on 2 April 2026 was part of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's transferable skills training in cooperation with the GetGenome. This content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

The next ViroiDoc Days will be held in Strasbourg as an advanced training activity for Doctoral Candidates (DCs) participating in the ViroiDoc project.

This event is restricted to project partners and is not open to external participants.

The programme comprises a series of specialised training modules covering key methodologies and concepts in viroid research, including Quantitative Confocal Microscopy and ImageJ, Nanopore Sequencing, epigenetic regulation and epi-editing, as well as viroid identification using both established and emerging technologies.

The scientific programme is complemented by a poster session, enabling DCs to present their research and engage in structured scientific discussion. In addition, a study visit to the project partner Bioreba (Switzerland) is included, providing insight into applied diagnostic approaches in an industrial context.

Participants will also have the opportunity to attend the StrasRNA Salon on 18 June, facilitating exposure to the broader RNA research community.

ViroiDoc Days are organised by the project consortium in cooperation with the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes (IBMP), and in cooperation with the University of Crete (IMBB) and Bioreba.

The documentary from the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana opens the door to a world so invisible that most of us never notice it – yet it affects the food we eat, agriculture, the economy, and perhaps even our understanding of the origin of life.

Viroids are not viruses. They are not bacteria. They are even simpler. They are small, circular RNA molecules, without a protein coat and without the capacity for protein coding – and yet they replicate in plants and can act as pathogens. Scientists often describe them as the “smallest known pathogens” or even as potential living fossils from a time when life was based primarily on RNA.

But this isn’t just a story about molecular biology. It’s a story about potatoes with failing yields. About fruit trees that no longer bear fruit as they should. About vineyards and hop fields. About global food security. About millions in agricultural losses. Viroids can spread unnoticed – through infected planting material, vegetative propagation and international plant trade – and are often only discovered once the damage has already been done.

In the documentary, dr. Jernej Jakše and dr. Helena Volk, researchers from the Biotechnology study programme at the University of Ljubljana’s Biotechnical Faculty reveal how one even studies something that codes nothing. How do you analyse RNA that is so small, yet so effective? How do you distinguish a viroid from a virus? And why are viroids such an exceptional model for understanding the spread of disease and the evolution of the simplest biological systems?

The ViroiDoc project explores, among other things, the diversity of viroids, their modes of transmission, and their impact on plants that are crucial for nutrition. Using modern molecular methods, sequencing and bioinformatic analyses, scientists are discovering where viroids are hiding – often in places where no one expected them. One of the most astonishing thoughts raised by the documentary is this: could viroids be living fossils from the “RNA world” era – a time before the emergence of complex cells?

If something so simple can persist and replicate, what does that tell us about what life actually is?
The film doesn’t offer simple answers. It does, however, offer curiosity. Surprise. And a sense that beneath the surface of the everyday world, there exists a layer of reality that is quieter, less visible – yet immensely influential.

The next time you look at an apple, a potato or a vine, you might ask yourself: what else is hidden within their cells? This documentary about viroids offers the answers – or at least the right questions.

The presented achievements in the documentary were produced as part of activities funded by ARIS.
Production by Inhouse Marketing Agency d.o.o. in cooperation with XOD and ViroiDoc, October 2025.

The project EnviroViroSeq: Advanced HTS Analysis of Viromes in Hops and the Environment Supported by Artificial Intelligence focuses on the application of high-throughput sequencing (HTS) to study plant viruses, which represent a major threat to agricultural production. HTS enables comprehensive analysis of viromes, including the discovery of previously unknown viruses and viroids, and improves understanding of their diversity, transmission, and impact on plant health.

The project aims to investigate viromes in hops and related agroecosystems in Slovenia.

It includes the analysis of viruses in hops, surrounding plants, weeds, and irrigation water to identify potential reservoirs and assess how environmental factors influence their spread. Advanced HTS technologies, Nanopore sequencing, and artificial intelligence (AI) are used to analyze complex datasets and detect novel pathogens.

The project is led by the Partners from the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (IHPS), the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana (BF), and the Jožef Stefan Institute (IJS) met in Ljubljana to establish the project timeline and plan its implementation. It started on 1 March 2026 and will contribute to improved understanding and management of plant viral diseases.

In March 2026, representatives from the IHPS, BF UL and JSI gathered in Ljubljana to establish the project timeline and plan its implementation (on photo).

More information about the EnviroViroSeq project.

ViroiDoc focuses on mapping synergies with similar projects by identifying and documenting them, while fostering connections and encouraging collaboration among them.

My journey towards this position began many years ago when, after finishing high school in my hometown of Trogir, Croatia, I decided to study molecular biology at a university about 400 km north of where I grew up. Choosing not to enrol in a more common program at a university closer to home was a difficult decision, but it was made much easier thanks to the enormous support I received from the people closest to me.

Although still within the same country, living alone in the capital city of Zagreb during my bachelor’s and master’s studies, far from home, taught me a great deal about independence and responsibility. That period also helped me envision the next step in my academic path and ultimately prepared me for moving abroad.

Coming from a Mediterranean country myself, separated from Italy only by the Adriatic Sea, I did not encounter many surprises in everyday life. One habit that did stand out, however, is the Italian way of drinking coffee—an espresso consumed in less than a minute while standing at the counter (al banco). In Dalmatia, by contrast, drinking coffee is almost a ritual: sitting down, enjoying the sun, and sometimes spending hours over a single cup with friends.

During these first three months of living in Bari, I have discovered a new passion: cooking. Most of my dishes are still pasta-based and fairly simple, but each week I learn new culinary tricks and gradually incorporate them into my own mix of Croatian and Italian specialties.

One thing I am particularly proud of while settling into life in Italy is managing to balance my busy PhD schedule with time for sports and social life. Maintaining both physical activity and meaningful connections with people helps me take care of my mental and physical well-being, which is essential for staying motivated and productive in research.

If I had to capture my idea of Italy through a cultural lens, I would choose the iconic Vespa scooter. This timeless Italian design is one of my favourite everyday sights in the narrow streets of Italian towns. The Vespa has become so emblematic that it has long since transcended Italy itself, symbolizing a lifestyle of movement, simplicity, and charm that perfectly matches my experience of living here.

Vjeko Hrabar is an MSCA fellow within the ViroiDoc Network. Vjeko is working on an individual research project entitled “Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms” at the National Research Council (CNR-IPSP) in Italy, while also pursuing his PhD at the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA). Vjeko´s supervisors are Beatriz Navarro Ramirez (CNR) and Rita Milvia de Miccolis Angelini (UNIBA).

ViroiDoc is providing an online workshop.

Great science deserves to be read—not buried under unclear writing. “Don’t Perish!” is a practical, high-energy lecture that strips away the mystery of scientific writing and focuses on what actually makes papers succeed: a strong storyline, logical structure, and clear messaging.

• What: Don’t Perish! A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Scientific Paper
• When: Thursday, 2 April 2026, 9:30–12:30 CET
• Where: Online, Webex. Registered participants will receive a link to the event before the training begins.
• This event in English is open to the public free of charge. 

Participants will learn how to align discoveries with the biological question, organize results for maximum impact, and apply simple techniques that immediately improve readability. Ideal for first-time authors and experienced researchers alike.

Presenter: Sophien Kamoun is a Senior Scientist at The Sainsbury Laboratory and Professor of Biology at the University of East Anglia. Internationally recognized for pioneering work on plant diseases and immunity, he has developed genomics and molecular approaches that transformed understanding of eukaryotic plant pathogens and opened new paths to combat major crop diseases.

REGISTRATION CLOSED.
NOTE: Registration is limited to 50 places. We will accept registrations until all the places have been filled, but no later than 31 March. Please register only if you intend to attend. If you cannot make it, please cancel as soon as possible to info@viroidoc.eu so someone else can take your place.

The event is part of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's transferable skills training.
The organiser reserves the right to make changes to the programme.

Plant diseases are often associated with fungi, bacteria, or viruses. Yet some of the most damaging plant pathogens are even simpler. Viroids are extremely small infectious RNA molecules that do not encode proteins but nevertheless cause severe diseases in important crops such as potato, tomato, citrus, hop, and avocado. Viroid infections can reduce yields by up to 60% and are particularly problematic because, once a plant is infected, there is currently no curative treatment.

Today, viroid control relies almost entirely on prevention by using clean planting material, monitoring fields, and removing infected plants. These measures are costly, imperfect, and difficult to maintain in long-lived or vegetatively propagated crops. New, sustainable approaches to protect plants from viroids are therefore urgently needed.

Using a natural plant mechanism: RNA interference

Plants possess a conserved regulatory mechanism called RNA interference (RNAi). RNAi allows cells to recognize RNA molecules based on their sequence or structure and enables them to regulate their abundance by processing them into small RNAs. This mechanism plays an important role in normal gene regulation and also contributes to plant defense against invasive nucleic acids.

RNA-based plant protection strategies aim to exploit this natural pathway. Instead of modifying the plant genome, specially designed RNA molecules can be applied externally to plants as sprays. Once taken up, these RNAs can be processed by the plant’s RNAi machinery and lead to sequence-specific silencing of complementary RNA molecules.

RNA sprays against viroids

RNA sprays can be used against viroid diseases in two different ways.

The first strategy aims to directly target the viroid RNA. Sprayed RNAs, including antisense RNAs or circular RNAs, can bind to viroid sequences and interfere with essential steps of the viroid life cycle, such as replication or intracellular trafficking. This approach focuses on the viroid itself rather than on the plant.

The second strategy targets the interaction between the viroid and its host plant. Viroids depend on specific plant proteins for replication and movement. RNA sprays can be designed to temporarily reduce the expression of such host genes, thereby limiting viroid replication. These effects are reversible and rely on short-lived RNA-mediated regulation rather than permanent genetic changes.

Together, these approaches illustrate how RNA sprays can be adapted to different molecular targets within the viroid–host system.

Why this approach matters

RNA sprays offer several advantages over traditional plant protection methods. They are highly specific, affecting only the intended RNA targets. They are non-transgenic, as no DNA is integrated into the plant genome. And because RNA molecules naturally degrade, they have the potential to be environmentally compatible when properly designed and applied.

In the face of increasing disease pressure, climate change, and the need to reduce chemical inputs in agriculture, RNA-based technologies could become valuable tools for sustainable crop protection.

Looking ahead

My PhD research within the ViroiDoc project focuses on understanding how viroids interact with their host plants at the molecular level and how RNA-based approaches can be optimized to interfere with these interactions. By combining fundamental research with innovative RNA technologies, this work aims to contribute to future strategies for protecting crops against viroid diseases.

*The photo was created with Biorender.

Lara Palatinus is an MSCA fellow within the ViroiDoc Network. Lara is working on an individual research project entitled “RNA sprays - precision tools for the modulation of host genes to develop viroid resistance” at the University of Regensburg (UREG) in Germany under supervision of Aline Koch, while also pursuing her PhD at the Regensburg International Graduate School of Life Sciences (RIGeL).

Judith López took her first one-month secondment in February 2026 at the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB), Foundation for Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH), affiliated with the University of Crete (UoC), Heraklion, Crete. Her secondment supervisors were Dr. Kriton Kalantidis (host) and Dr. Konstantina Katsarou (supervision and guidance).

The secondment was primarily focused on training and skill acquisition, providing essential techniques for Judith’s research project “In vivo imaging of viroid RNA and associated host factors”.

The main objectives of the secondment were (1) to learn methods for plant inoculation with viroids (agroinfiltration and mechanical inoculation), (2) to generate in vitro transcription of infectious viroid RNA from cloned cDNA, and (3) to acquire experience in VIRP1:GFP and VIRP1:RFP imaging using confocal microscopy.

This training allowed Judith to gain confidence and to plan future experiments in Strasbourg at the CNRS (IMBP), including comparative analyses between infected and mock-inoculated plants and studying the effects of viroid infection.

The secondment improved Judith´s technical skills, including plant infection techniques, microscopy, and RNA analysis. Professionally, Judith integrated rapidly into a new laboratory environment, enhanced her teamwork, and expanded her scientific network by interacting with the local scientists within and outside the ViroiDoc network. These interactions are expected to facilitate future collaborations and exchange of ideas.

Judith says: “This secondment was highly valuable. Working in a laboratory with extensive expertise in viroids allowed me to gain practical experience, receive feedback on my project, and address knowledge gaps. Future collaborations with Dr. Kalantidis’ team will provide continued guidance and valuable insights for my ongoing research. Overall, the experience strengthened both my technical abilities and professional development.”

Judith Estefanía López Ponce is an MSCA fellow within the ViroiDoc Network. Judith is working on an individual research project entitled “In vivo imaging of viroid RNA and associated host factors” at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes (IBMP) in France under supervision of Manfred Heinlein / Todd Blevins and co-supervisor Laura Elvira-González, while also pursuing her PhD at the University of Strasbourg´s École Doctorale des Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé.

ViroiDoc announces online workshop

What: Don’t Perish! A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Scientific Paper

When: Thursday, 2 April 2026, 9:30–12:30 CET

Where: online, Webex

This event in English is open to the public free of charge. Registration will open soon.

Session overview: Great science deserves to be read—not buried under unclear writing. “Don’t Perish!” is a practical, high-energy lecture that strips away the mystery of scientific writing and focuses on what actually makes papers succeed: a strong storyline, logical structure, and clear messaging.

Participants will learn how to align discoveries with the biological question, organize results for maximum impact, and apply simple techniques that immediately improve readability. Ideal for first-time authors and experienced researchers alike.

Presenter: Sophien Kamoun is a Senior Scientist at The Sainsbury Laboratory and Professor of Biology at the University of East Anglia. Internationally recognized for pioneering work on plant diseases and immunity, he has developed genomics and molecular approaches that transformed understanding of eukaryotic plant pathogens and opened new paths to combat major crop diseases.

The event is part of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's transferable skills training.
The organiser reserves the right to make changes to the programme.

In 2026, the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) celebrate a major milestone: 30 years of supporting research careers, mobility, and excellence worldwide.

Launched in 1996, the MSCA have become the European Union’s flagship programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training. Over the past three decades, they have supported more than 150,000 researchers at all career stages, fostering skills development, international mobility, and long-term career progression. Among MSCA alumni are 23 Nobel Prize laureates, a testament to the programme’s lasting scientific impact.

At the heart of MSCA lies a strong belief in mobility as a driver of innovation – not only across disciplines and sectors, but also across borders. Moving to a new country opens doors to new scientific perspectives, professional networks, and ways of thinking, while also reshaping everyday life and personal identity.

ViroiDoc and the MSCA spirit of mobility

The ViroiDoc project proudly contributes to this legacy. ViroiDoc brings together 22 academic and industrial partners from 11 countries across Europe and the Americas. The project trains 10 doctoral candidates (DCs) in advanced plant pathology, biotechnology, and bioinformatics, while addressing pressing challenges in sustainable agriculture.

ViroiDoc investigates how viroids cause disease, develops cutting-edge detection methods, and designs innovative strategies to control their transmission. Funded with €2.5 million under the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks programme, the project supports the objectives of the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy, contributing to secure and sustainable food production.

Mobility that shapes careers and lives

To mark the 30th anniversary of the MSCA, ViroiDoc invites its DCs to reflect on their mobility experiences through a dedicated blog series to be published on the project website in 2026.

Our PhD fellows have moved to a new country to join the programme – an experience that goes far beyond research. Living abroad reshapes routines, identities, and perspectives. Through this blog series, we explore the human side of mobility: the discoveries, challenges, and small personal revolutions that come with starting a life somewhere new.

Upcoming MSCA opportunities

Named after the double Nobel Prize winner Marie Skłodowska-Curie, the programme carries forward the values she embodied: curiosity, courage, and international collaboration.

In 2026 and beyond, the MSCA will continue to support doctoral and postdoctoral training, collaborative research and innovation, and public engagement with science—shaping the next generation of researchers and ideas.

Fungi of the genus Fusarium and related genera are among the most damaging and toxic fungal pathogens affecting agriculture. They have a major impact on food and feed production and safety worldwide. These fungi can survive in soil and plant residues and produce toxic compounds—known as mycotoxins—including zearalenone, trichothecenes, fumonisins, moniliformin, and beauvericin. These toxins accumulate in plant tissues and can enter the human and animal food chain.

Fusarium species infect staple crops such as maize, wheat, and rice, causing diseases like Fusarium wilt and Fusarium head blight. These infections lead to significant yield losses, reduced grain quality, and contamination problems at harvest. For farmers and the agri-food sector, this means economic losses, stricter quality controls, and potential market rejection of contaminated batches. Due to the persistence and severity of these infections, finding effective and sustainable control strategies remains a priority.

Viruses that infect fungi, known as mycoviruses, have long been recognized. What has become clearer in recent years is their potential agricultural relevance. Some mycoviral infections can alter fungal growth and toxin production, and in certain cases reduce the pathogen’s ability to cause disease in crops—a phenomenon known as hypovirulence.

These findings have led to an important question for agriculture: could these viruses, or similar infectious molecules such as viroid-like RNAs (vdlRNAs), be used as biological control agents to weaken harmful fungi?

My individual research project builds on this idea. The goal is to expand our knowledge of the diversity of viroid-like RNAs in fungi that are relevant to agriculture and food production. The research has three main objectives.

First, the project focuses on identifying and characterizing new viroid-like RNAs, especially in fungi of agronomic importance—both plant pathogens and beneficial fungi. Additional investigations include bacteria and plants to better understand how widespread these RNA agents are.

Second, the project evaluates how vdlRNA infection affects fungal characteristics such as growth, aggressiveness toward crops, and toxin production. Understanding these effects is essential to assess whether viroid-like RNAs could be developed as biological control tools, natural regulators of mycotoxin production, or even as biostimulants that support healthier crop systems.

Finally, the research examines the structure and function of potential proteins encoded by newly identified viroid-like RNAs, helping to clarify how these small RNA agents interact with their fungal hosts.

Previous studies have already shown that certain viroid-like RNAs can influence fungal behavior, including virulence and mycotoxin production. If these effects can be better understood and harnessed, they may provide a new, environmentally friendly complement to existing crop protection strategies.

At a time when agriculture faces increasing pressure to reduce chemical inputs while maintaining yield and food safety, exploring naturally occurring biological regulators such as viroid-like RNAs could open new avenues for sustainable disease management. Understanding these invisible interactions may ultimately help farmers produce safer crops with fewer losses and lower environmental impact.

Vjeko Hrabar is an MSCA fellow within the ViroiDoc Network. Vjeko is working on an individual research project entitled “Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms” at the National Research Council (CNR) in Italy, while also pursuing her PhD at the University of Bari (UNIBA).

My passion for science an interest in academic mobility began during my bachelor’s degree in Chemical Pharmacobiology. I first learned that science extends beyond the laboratory and that international mobility could open new academic and personal opportunities. Although pursuing studies abroad was challenging at that stage, the idea stayed with me, and I continued building my scientific path in San Luis Potosí, México, while holding onto the dream of experiencing science from a different perspective.

This motivation became clearer during my master’s degree in Molecular Biology. In my second year, my days were filled with regarding scientific literature, conducting experiments, and presenting results. I realized how vast and complex the scientific world is, and I became certain that I wanted to pursue a PhD abroad. While my former principal investigator suggested some opportunities, I also searched on my own and discovered a tweet from my current PI announcing the DC4 PhD position in Strasbourg, France, within the ViroiDoc program, which perfectly aligned with my interests.

During my master’s studies, I mainly worked on protein expression in bacteria, but I also began working with plants, which opened a fascinating new biological context. This experience influenced my choice of PhD project.

My current research focuses on visualizing in vivo viroid RNA and its associated proteins, combining techniques I was already familiar with and introducing me to microscopy. This field allows me to directly observe biological processes and interpret results from a new perspective, combining familiarity and novelty in a way that strongly motivated me.

Adapting to life in France has been an important part of my journey.

One early cultural difference was lunch timing, as people typically eat at noon, compared to my usual time in Mexico. I was also delighted to find cultural similarities like the French Galette des Rois shares the same origin as the Mexican Rosca de Reyes, celebrating Epiphany with hidden figurine and communal celebration.

Moving to France marked the first experience living alone, in a country where I don’t speak the language but as an international student, I initially navigated daily life in English. Over time, I learned that kindness and patience bridge many gaps, and I discovered my capacity for independence, managing daily tasks, administrative procedures, and social interactions. Learning to navigate local transportation and travel independently was another milestone that boosted my confidence.

Strasbourg itself reminds me of the atmosphere portrayed in the film Amélie. Compared to the constant movement of my hometown, the city feels calm and breathable, with people enjoying time talking by the river or moving through the city by foot or bicycle. Life in the laboratory, in contrast, is highly dynamic, requiring focus, planning, and collaboration.

Overall, my scientific training in Mexico and France has been equally rigorous, yet the daily laboratory dynamics differ. In Mexico, interactions were ofen more socially integrated, while my current international laboratory emphasizes independent, focused work within a diverse team. This environment has strengthened my adaptability, autonomy, and ability to collaborate across cultures, providing valuable experience for pursuing research in a truly international context.

Judith Estefanía López Ponce is an MSCA fellow within the ViroiDoc Network. Judith is working on an individual research project entitled “In vivo imaging of viroid RNA and associated host factors” at the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de Biologie Moléculaire des Plantes (IBMP) in France, while also pursuing her PhD at the University of Strasbourg´s École Doctorale des Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé.

Science advances through curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Ensuring equal opportunities in research – regardless of gender – is not only a matter of fairness, but a foundation for stronger, more impactful science. When people with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives work together, they bring diverse ways of thinking, new approaches, and innovative solutions to complex challenges.

Did you know that 11 February is the International Day of Women and Girls in Science?

This global observance highlights the critical role women and girls play in science and underscores the importance of their full and equal participation at all levels of research and innovation.

Research shows that gender-diverse teams enhance scientific quality and innovation. Diverse perspectives lead to richer discussions, more comprehensive problem-solving, and more resilient outcomes. Science thrives on diversity – of ideas, perspectives, and people – and inclusion strengthens research while inspiring the next generation of scientists.

The ViroiDoc project actively encourages and supports women in science and is committed to raising awareness through a promotional video campaign to be available on ViroiDoc YouTube developed in collaboration with Doctoral Candidates. 

Teodora Stojkovska, ViroiDoc MSCA Doctoral Candidate (DC6), will attend, together with her supervisor, Puri Lisón, the “Sembrando Ciencia por el 11F” outreach event at the IBMCP, Spain, on 10 February, aimed at bringing plant science closer to primary school students.
Teodora is currently familiarising herself with Spanish in order to actively engage in future editions of this initiative, reinforcing mobility, integration and science communication, key pillars of the MSCA programme.

By supporting women in science today, we strengthen research, inspire future generations, and build a more inclusive scientific community. ViroiDoc is a welcoming environment that values diversity and promotes the full participation of women in science—because science is better when everyone has a voice.

Join the conversation: Women in Scientific Organizations

We warmly encourage researchers, students, and members of the wider public to attend the upcoming webinar:

Women in Scientific Organizations
When: 11 February 2026, 2:00–4:00 PM UTC
Format: 90-minute public webinar (Zoom)
Language: English (recording available after the event)

On the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, the International Science Council, the InterAcademy Partnership, and the Standing Committee for Gender Equality in Science will present the findings of a new global study on gender equality in scientific organizations.

The study examines how women access, participate in, lead, and are recognized within science academies, academies of engineering and medicine, and international disciplinary unions worldwide. It draws on institutional data from 136 scientific organizations, survey responses from nearly 650 scientists, and targeted qualitative interviews to explore both formal structures and lived experiences shaping participation and leadership.

The webinar will present key findings, highlight institutional approaches associated with more inclusive outcomes, and open a discussion on structural and procedural changes that scientific organizations can adopt to strengthen gender equality.

Supporting women in science is not only about equity – it is about excellence, innovation, and the future of research.

As part of the ViroiDoc project, Doctoral Candidates (DCs) participated in a training session entitled “Data Visualization” in February 2026, on improving the interpretation and communication of scientific data.

Data visualization plays a key role in modern research by helping scientists identify patterns, compare results, and communicate complex findings in a clear and accessible way. Effective visualizations support both scientific understanding and knowledge exchange with broader audiences.

During the training, DCs learned how different visualization methods can highlight different aspects of the same dataset, and how choosing the right chart depends on the communication goal and the target audience. The session covered essential design principles such as clarity, context, and transparency, as well as the use of colour, typography, and layout to guide interpretation and avoid visual bias.

Special attention was given to accessibility, including designing figures that remain readable for colour-blind viewers, simplifying visuals to reduce cognitive load, and using direct labelling instead of overly complex legends.

The training introduced practical resources such as Data to Viz, Exploratory and Visual Vocabulary to support informed chart selection, and encouraged participants to seek inspiration from examples of effective visual communication, including Journal Data Viz Challenge on Instagram or exploratory tool example theRare Diseases Observatory by JSI.

The session was delivered by Dr. Alenka Guček from Josef Stefan Institute (JSI), an associated partner of the ViroiDoc project, and equipped DCs with transferable skills to enhance the clarity, accessibility, and impact of their scientific outputs.

Photo source: Local PI(4,5)P2 signaling inhibits fusion pore expansion during exocytosis by Muhmmad Omar-Hmeadi, Alenka Guček, Sebastian Barg in Cell Press Journal (2023).

The project officially launched in January 2025, marking the start of an ambitious research and training programme focused on viroids and viroid-like RNAs. This was followed by a successful online kick-off meeting in April, bringing together all partners to align scientific objectives, training activities, and implementation plans.

A major milestone of the year was the ViroiDoc Days, held in Bari in September, where the consortium met in person for the first time. The meeting strengthened scientific collaboration, fostered exchanges between academia and industry, and helped shape the next phases of the project.

Another key achievement was the launch of two open calls for PhD positions, which attracted strong interest and resulted in the selection of 10 MSCA doctoral fellows. These early-stage researchers are now an integral part of the ViroiDoc community.

In parallel, we established the project’s communication channels, including the ViroiDoc website and profiles on LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. The YouTube channel already offers recorded lectures, providing open access opportunities to learn more about viroids and viroid-like RNAs. We also launched the ViroiDoc newsletter, ensuring regular updates to our growing audience.

From a project management perspective, ViroiDoc reached all milestones planned for 2025 and successfully submitted four deliverables to the European Research Executive Agency (REA).

As we close this first year, we are grateful for the strong engagement of our partners, fellows, and wider community in building ViroiDoc. Looking ahead to 2026, we anticipate the first research results, an in-person consortium meeting in Strasbourg, and the opportunity to contribute to the 30-year celebration of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, highlighting three decades of EU support to researchers’ skills and career development.

In his lecture, prof. Wang started with the basic concepts of RNA nucleotides, the components, and the noncanonical edges in the RNA nucleotides. Unlike DNA nucleotides, all three edges of RNA nucleotides (i.e., hoogsteen, sugar, and Watson-crick edges) can be involved in base pairings. This feature makes RNA base pairings more flexible and complex. RNA base editing will likely mask the reactive nitrogen in the bases that will lead to changes in base pairings or interaction with other biological molecules. RNA structures range from primary sequences, secondary structures that mainly formed by helices, bulges, and loops, as well as tertiary structures that form by long-distance base pairings and interaction with other biological molecules. RNA helices are different from DNA helices based on angles, width of grooves, etc.

Then Prof. Wang introduced the RNA basepair catalog webpage that summarizes key features of base pairings, including the C1’-C1’ distance, etc. This tool is critical for designing structure-maintaining or structure-disruptive mutants. Another important summary is the modes of RNA-protein interactions. In these interactions, RNA-backbone binding with protein account for the most cases (41%), but this mode has less specificity. RNA-base to protein interaction account for 35.5%, the second most abundant. This binding mode confers specificity.

With the basic knowledge, we looked at viroid RNA structures. There are 27 loops/bulges in PSTVd (potato spindle tuber viroid). We discussed the structure-based interaction between PSTVd and host factors (e.g., Pol II, RPL5, TFIIIA-7ZF, etc).

Curious to learn more?

Visit the ViroiDoc YouTube channel to watch a featured video lecture by Prof. Ying Wang, recorded in September 2025 during the ViroiDoc Days of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's training activities.

Ying Wang is an Associate Professor at the University of Florida, Department of Plant Pathology. Prof. Wang’s group is focusing on understanding plant-viroid interactions. They aim to understand how viroids using their RNA structures to exploit host machinery to achieve successful replication and spreading in plants, as well as the mechanism of viroid pathogenicity.

Explore more content on viroid research by visiting ViroiDoc YouTube channel.

The emergence of a novel hop disease in Slovenia, characterized by leaf yellowing, curling, and bine cracking, prompted the search for its causal agent. Conventional pathogen detection methods failed to identify the casual agent leading to the application of next-generation sequencing (NGS) and metagenomic approaches.

Using small RNA and total RNA sequencing, Prof. Jakše with his group identified Citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd) as the highly aggressive agent associated with hop stunt disease after confirming Koch's postulates. This was the first report of this viroid outside its original citrus hosts. Comparative analyses revealed that hop isolates differ from citrus sequences by five single-nucleotide changes. Subsequent transcriptomic analyses provided comprehensive insights into host–viroid interactions. RNA-seq profiling of hop cv. ‘Celeia’ infected with CBCVd revealed differential expression of many genes. Defense-related genes such as PR-1, chitinase, and thaumatin-like proteins were upregulated, whereas key elements of photosynthesis, primary carbon metabolism, and hormone homeostasis were strongly downregulated. Co-infection with hop latent viroid (HLVd) intensified these responses, suggesting complex coinfection interference.

Prof. Jakše with his group demonstrated that NGS-based sequencing is a powerful tool for diagnosing unknown plant diseases and elucidating the molecular basis of viroid pathogenicity. Integrating small RNA, mRNA, and miRNA data offers a tool to study host reprogramming under viroid infection and provides a foundation for developing molecular diagnostics and breeding strategies for viroid resistance in hop.

Curious to learn more?

Visit the ViroiDoc YouTube channel to watch a featured video lecture by Prof. Jernej Jakše, recorded in September 2025 during the ViroiDoc Days of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's training activities.

Jernej Jakše is a Full Professor of genetics at the University of Ljubljana (UL), Biotechnical Faculty, Agronomy Department. His work spans both basic and applied research in genetics and biotechnology, where he employs cutting-edge research.

Jernej Jakše also serves as the supervisor for Doctoral Candidate Joao Colaço (DC1) who will work on the individual research project “How Disrupting Viroid Biogenesis Impacts Viroid propagation" at the UL.

Explore more content on viroid research by visiting ViroiDoc YouTube channel.

I recently had the opportunity to visit Michael Hagemann, Ute Born, and Swati Jagani at the University of Hohenheim in Stuttgart, Germany. The visit provided an excellent opportunity to learn more about viroid research in hop plants and to gain valuable hands-on experience in both the laboratory and greenhouse.

During the visit, we collected hop leaf samples infected with Citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd), Citrus exocortis viroid (CEVd), and Hop latent viroid (HLVd). These samples will be used for further analyses in my PhD project, which focuses on RNA-based plant protection strategies against viroids.

I also had the chance to learn more about viroid inoculation techniques, infection monitoring, and the practical aspects of experimental hop research. Seeing the workflows established at Hohenheim University and exchanging ideas with the team was both inspiring and instructive.

The visit deepened my understanding of experimental viroid work and highlighted the importance of collaboration and knowledge exchange.

Many thanks to the Hohenheim team for their hospitality, time, and willingness to share their expertise!

Lara Palatinus, MSCA Fellow

Lara is one of the 10 ViroiDoc  MSCA Doctoral Fellows who joined the international effort to unravel how viroids - the smallest known infectious agents - cause diseases in plants and threaten agricultural production worldwide.
Dr. Michael Hagemann is also ViroiDoc External Adviosry Board member. 

Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks programme with a total budget of €2.5 million, ViroiDoc brings together 22 partners, including leading universities, research institutes, and industry stakeholders from 11 countries across Europe and the Americas, including Italy, Spain, France, Greece, Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland, the Czech Republic, Poland, the United States, and Argentina. The network offers an exceptional interdisciplinary environment where young scientists will explore the molecular biology, epidemiology, and control of viroid infections in major crops.

Understanding the invisible pathogens

Viroids are circular, single-stranded RNA molecules up to 80 times smaller than viruses. Typically, they do not code for any proteins but utilize host proteins for replication, processing and transport. They can cause severe diseases in economically important plants such as grapevine, citrus, potato, tomato, hop, palm, and hemp. Each year, viroid infections result in crop losses worth tens of millions of euros. Climate change and the global movement of plant material-especially through clonal propagation-are accelerating their spread to new regions and hosts, posing a serious risk to global food security.

“Viroids are the ultimate minimalist pathogens and also for of life. By studying them, we can not only protect crops but also gain unique insights into RNA biology and plant immunity,” said Dr. Sabina Berne, ViroiDoc project coordinator from the University of Ljubljana.

Training the next generation of RNA experts

The 10 selected doctoral fellows will work on projects covering key aspects of viroid biology, from host-pathogen interactions and early-detection technologies to epidemiology and innovative control strategies. Through a combination of research training, academic courses, and industrial secondments, they will gain the expertise needed to address emerging agricultural challenges in line with the European Green Deal and the Farm to Fork strategy.

These early-career researchers are the heart of ViroiDoc. They will not only advance our scientific understanding but also help shape the future of sustainable agriculture.

List of MSCA fellows

1. Joao Colaço, University of Ljubljana (UL), Slovenia, under supervision of Prof. Jernej Jakše
2. Octave Lacroix, Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (IHPS), Slovenia, under supervision of Dr. Sebastjan Radišek
3. Weigeng Liu, National institute of chemistry (NIC), Slovenia, under supervision of Dr. Samo Hočevar
4. Judith Estefanía López Ponce, National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS), France, under supervision of Prof. Manfred Heinlein and Prof. Todd Blevins
5. Linh Le Thi Thuy, Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Spain, under supervision of Prof. José-Antonio Daròs
6. Teodora Stojkovska, Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV), Spain, under supervision of Prof. Purificación Lisón
7. Fabio D'Alessandro, National Research Council (CNR), Italy, under supervision of Dr. Francesco di Serio
8. Vjeko Hrabar, National Research Council (CNR), Italy, under supervision of Dr. Beatriz Navarro Ramirez
9. Lena Michailidou, University of Crete (UoC), Grece, under supervision of Prof. Kriton Kalantidis
10. Lara Palatinus, University of Regensburg (UREG), Germany, under supervision of Prof. Aline Koch

Find out more about the fellows´ individual research projects.

About ViroiDoc

ViroiDoc – Advanced Research on Viroid Pathogenesis and Control for Sustainable Agriculture is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network dedicated to understanding how viroids cause disease and to developing novel methods for their early detection and control. By combining expertise from molecular biology, bioinformatics, plant pathology, and biotechnology, ViroiDoc aims to protect crops, secure food production, and train a new generation of plant health innovators.

As sessile organisms, plants cannot escape stress and instead rely on sophisticated local and systemic defense mechanisms.

Three major systemic strategies are highlighted:

• Wound-Induced Resistance (WIR): Activated by insect feeding or tissue damage, it depends on jasmonic acid (JA) and ethylene signaling. This leads to the production of proteinase inhibitors and other defense compounds that limit herbivore attack.
• Systemic Acquired Resistance (SAR): A broad, long-lasting immune state triggered by biotrophic pathogens. It is mediated by salicylic acid (SA) and the expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes, ensuring protection in distant, uninfected tissues.
• Induced Systemic Resistance (ISR): Stimulated by beneficial soil microbes, ISR primes plants through JA/ethylene pathways, enhancing resilience against diverse pathogens.

In addition, the presentation emphasizes RNA silencing as a central antiviral mechanism. Small RNAs (siRNAs, miRNAs) direct the degradation of viral RNAs, providing plants with specific and heritable antiviral immunity. Recent findings in viroid research demonstrate the importance of SA signaling, modulation of ethylene, γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) accumulation, and autophagy regulation in reducing disease severity and improving tolerance.

Together, these mechanisms illustrate the remarkable capacity of plants to integrate hormone signaling, systemic communication, and RNA-based defenses. Understanding and exploiting these natural processes opens the door to sustainable crop protection strategies, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

This research underlines the potential of systemic resistance and RNA silencing to shape future solutions for resilient agriculture and improved management of virus and viroid-related diseases.

Curious to learn more?

Visit the ViroiDoc YouTube channel to watch a featured video lecture by Prof. Purificación Lisón, recorded in September 2025 during the ViroiDoc Days of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's training activities.

Purificación Lisón is a Full Professor at the UPV and researcher at the Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP). Her research focuses on viroid pathogenesis and the role of plant metabolites that accumulate under biotic stress.

Purificación Lisón also serves as the supervisor for Doctoral Candidate (DC6) who will work on the individual research project “Development of novel antiviroidal strategies: towards drug discovery" at the UPV.

Explore more content on viroid research by visiting ViroiDoc YouTube channel.

Viroids are small, circular, non-coding RNA molecules that lack a protein coat and can infect a wide range of plant species. Viroid RNAs move intracellularly, extracellularly, and systemically within infected plants.

They were first identified in the late 1960s by Prof. T. Diener as the causal agents of Potato Spindle Tuber Disease, marking the discovery of infectious RNA molecules. The term viroid was formally introduced by Diener in a seminal 1971 paper.

The Potato Spindle Tuber Viroid (PSTVd), a quarantine plant pathogen, belongs to the family Pospiviroidae. PSTVd was initially identified in potato plants (Solanum tuberosum, Solanaceae) but is now known to infect a wide range of hosts, including other members of the Solanaceae family and various vegetable crops.

Viroids depend entirely on host cellular proteins to complete their biological cycle. Early research focused primarily on understanding their replication mechanisms, epidemiology, and genome sequencing. This work led to several landmark discoveries, including the complete sequencing of the PSTVd genome, the demonstration that viroid RNA is replicated by a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, and the confirmation that viroid genomes are non-coding.

This last finding suggested that all viroid-related phenomena originate from the intrinsic sequence and structure of the viroid RNA, independent of translation. In subsequent years, further significant advances were made by researchers in the field of viroid biology. Nevertheless, many fundamental questions regarding viroid infection, replication, and host interaction remain unanswered.

Curious to learn more?

Visit the ViroiDoc YouTube channel to watch a featured video lecture by Prof. Kriton Kalantidis, recorded in September 2025 during the ViroiDoc Days of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's training activities.

Kriton Kalantidis is Professor of Plant Developmental Biology at the Department of Biology at the University of Crete (UoC), Greece. His research interests focus on viroid/virus-plant interactions and RNA silencing pathways in plants.

Kriton Kalantidis also serves as the supervisor for Doctoral Candidate (DC9) who will work on the individual research project “How disrupting host factors suppresses viroid infectivity" at the University of Crete.

Explore more content on viroid research by visiting ViroiDoc YouTube channel.

Between 23 July and 5 September 2025, ViroiDoc received 209 applications from 30 countries in response to its Open Call for PhD positions in Italy. Of these, 196 applications met the eligibility criteria and proceeded to further evaluation.

The following PhD positions were open at the National Research Council - Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection (CNR-IPSP) in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA):

• DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
• DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms
   

For the two PhD vacancies available at the CNR in Italy, 25 applications exceeded the 75% evaluation threshold. Following a rigorous selection process, 6 candidates were invited for interviews, and ultimately, 2 candidates were offered research positions.

We will soon announce the names of those selected for PhD positions in the participating countries. The selected candidates are currently undergoing recruitment and enrolment procedures at the respective host institutions and universities.

We kindly ask all applicants for their patience regarding individual evaluation results or inquiries. We appreciate your understanding as we complete the final stages of this process.

Thank you to everyone who applied. We look forward to the next phase of the ViroiDoc journey and will continue to share updates as they become available.

The Doctoral Network ViroiDoc offers exciting projects on viroids, the smallest plant pathogens, and viroid-like RNAs that have only recently been discovered outside the plant kingdom. The programme includes secondments to partner laboratories or companies involved in plant breeding and plant protection located in Argentina, Czechia, Germany, Poland and Spain.

This is an opportunity to pursue a PhD in one of Europe’s top research centres with an outstanding mentoring and career support. A comprehensive network-wide training and internship program, both in academia and industry.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives. For any inquiries regarding the open call or next steps, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

The ViroiDoc project marked a major milestone with the first live meeting of its partners and selected MSCA fellows during the ViroiDoc Days event, held in Bari, Italy, from 24 to 25 September 2025. This hybrid event brought together international researchers, fellows, and stakeholders both in person and online, fostering a dynamic environment for scientific exchange, training, and collaboration.

The two-day event served as a key opportunity for the ViroiDoc open call-selected MSCA fellows to meet project partners face-to-face for the first time. The programme featured dedicated networking sessions, scientific lectures, and interactive training activities designed to support early-stage researchers in the field of viroids and viroid-like RNAs.

A highlight of the event was the lecture series delivered by leading experts in plant pathology and viroid research. These lectures, will be soon available on the ViroiDoc YouTube channel, included:

• More than 50 Years of Viroid Research by Prof. Kriton Kalantidis, University of Crete (Greece)
• RNA Structure and Viroid-Plant Protein Interactions by Prof. Ying Wang, University of Florida (USA)
• NGS-Enabled Transcriptomic Insights into Plant–Viroid Interactions and Discovery of Viroid and Viroid-like Species by Prof. Jernej Jakše, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia)
• Plant Immunity and Host Defence by Prof. Purificación Lisón, Valencia Polytechnic University (Spain)
   

These sessions offered fellows state-of-the-art insights into viroid research, combining molecular biology, genomics, and plant immunity to present a comprehensive overview of the field.

In addition to lectures, MSCA fellows actively participated in a case study challenge, engaging with real-world scientific questions in small interdisciplinary teams. The case studies focused on:

1. Unmasking Viroid Variants
2. Silent Spreaders in Crops
3. Decoding Host Response to Viroid Infections
 

Under the guidance of Prof. Nataša Štajner (University of Ljubljana) and a team of experienced supervisors, the fellows explored these challenges collaboratively, applying their diverse expertise to develop innovative approaches and present preliminary findings. The exercise was designed to encourage peer learning, strengthen networking among young researchers, and foster collaborative thinking.

The results were highly encouraging: each group demonstrated scientific creativity, analytical rigour, and a strong capacity for teamwork. The activity stimulated fruitful discussions between early-career and senior researchers, reinforcing the project’s aim to build a vibrant, interdisciplinary viroid research community.

The ViroiDoc Days, organised by the project consortium in cooperation with the National Research Council (CNR), University of Bari (UniBa), and Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (IAMB), not only advanced the fellows’ scientific training but also laid the groundwork for sustained collaboration and engagement across the project network. This successful ViroiDoc event marks a promising start for the project’s next phases.

Before ViroiDoc Days, the ViroiDoc partners attended the international Viroids 2025 conference in Bari to learn about the latest knowledge on viroids and viroid-like RNAs. MSCA fellows presented their ViroiDoc individual research projects at the poster session.

Photo by almafilms ©ViroiDoc in Bari, 2025.

After the eligibility check in Stage 1, eligible candidates will proceed to be reviewed by the selection committee specific to the project. Applicants scoring more than 75% will be included in the initial ranking list and invited to an online interview (Stage 2).

The ViroiDoc project team expects to evaluate the candidates by the end of October for the two positions at the CNR in Italy:

• DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
• DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms

In total for the ViroiDoc Open Call for positions in Italy 209 applications were submitted, i.e. for DC7-Italy 103 and for DC8-Italy 106.

Applicants contacting ViroiDoc are kindly asked to be patient. This is in answering questions about evaluations.

We look forward to the next phase of this journey and will keep you updated as we move forward.

For more details see ViroiDoc Open Call Guidelines for Applicants.
For further information, please contact info@viroidoc.eu.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives.

For any inquiries, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

ViroiDoc project partners would like to extend our sincere thanks to all doctoral candidates and early-career researchers who submitted applications for our recent ViroiDoc Open Call for Doctoral Candidates in the fields of plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline. The call closed on 5 September 2025.

The response to the ViroiDoc Open Call has been great, and we are truly inspired by the diversity of applications in the submissions.

The project partners will meet in person and online for the first time at the ViroiDoc Days event in Bari, Italy, from 24 to 25 September. The meeting will consist of networking sessions, scientific and technological training, and student presentations. On open call selected doctoral candidates will also participate in the Viroids 2025 conference, where they will present their posters.

ViroiDoc Days are organised by the project consortium in cooperation with the National Research Council (CNR), University of Bari (UniBa), and Mediterranean Agronomic Institute of Bari (IAMB).

Before ViroiDoc Days, the ViroiDoc partners will attend the international conference in Bari to learn about the latest knowledge on viroids and viroid-like RNAs.

The Viroids 2025 conference, which will take place from 22 to 24 September 2025, will provide a valuable opportunity to share and exchange knowledge and experience, as well as to discuss advances in this growing field. Find out more about the Viroids 2025 conference.

ViroiDoc project partners would like to extend our sincere thanks to all doctoral candidates and early-career researchers who submitted applications for our recent ViroiDoc Open Call for 2 PhD positions in Italy in the fields of plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline. The call closed on 5 September 2025.

The response to the ViroiDoc Open Call has been great, and we are truly inspired by the diversity of applications in the submissions.

Next Steps

After the eligibility check in Stage 1, eligible candidates will proceed to be reviewed by the selection committee specific to the project. Applicants scoring more than 75% will be included in the initial ranking list and invited to an (online) interview (Stage 2). The ViroiDoc project team anticipates notifying applicants about the outcome of their submission by the end of October at the latest.

We want to express our gratitude to all those who contributed to this exciting initiative. The wide range of expertise and enthusiasm shown by applicants will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the ViroiDoc project.

We look forward to the next phase of this journey and will keep you updated as we move forward.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube, to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives.

For any inquiries regarding the open call or next steps, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

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.

Curious to learn more?

Visit the ViroiDoc YouTube channel to watch a featured video lecture by senior researcher Beatriz Navarro Ramirez, recorded in April 2025 during the public session of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's kick-off meeting.

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

Beatriz Navarro Ramirez also serves as the supervisor for Doctoral Candidate (DC8) who will work on the individual research project “Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms at the CNR-IPSP in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA).

Explore more content on viroid research by visiting ViroiDoc YouTube channel.

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.

Curious to learn more?

Visit the ViroiDoc YouTube channel to watch a featured video lecture by Professor José-Antonio Daròs, recorded in April 2025 during the public session of the EU-funded ViroiDoc project's kick-off meeting.

José-Antonio Daròs is a Research Professor at the Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology (IBMCP- CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València, 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.

Professor Daròs also serves as the supervisor for Doctoral Candidate (DC5), will work on the individual research project “Point-of-care viroid diagnosis based on CRISPR-Cas technologies” at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), in collaboration with the Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV).

Explore more content on viroid research by visiting our YouTube channel.

ViroiDoc has published an open call for 2 positions for Doctoral Candidates (DC) at the CNR-IPSP in Italy, in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA). The DCs will work on the following individual research projects (IRPs)::

• DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
• DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms

For more information about the IRPs in Italy (DC7 and DC8), see the List of IRPs here.

Who is eligible to apply?

Positions will be available to candidates who hold a university degree (MSc or equivalent) in plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline, completed no later than the start of the PhD project.

The successful candidate should have a strong interest in conducting collaborative research in international and cross-sectoral contexts.

Note the eligibility criteria related to MSCA mobility rules: The candidate has not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the selected host laboratory for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

What ViroiDoc offers?

• Collaborating in research labs in Italy.
• Research projects on viroids, the smallest plant pathogens, and viroid-like RNAs that have only recently been discovered outside the plant kingdom.
• Secondments to partner laboratories or companies involved in plant breeding and plant protection located in Slovenia and Spain.
• Opportunity to participate in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA).

The Call is open between 23 July and 5 September 2025.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the ViroiDoc website form, available here, and must be complete and contain all mandatory attachments and supporting documents.

Full details of the vacancies, the training programme and how to apply are available at viroidoc.eu/people#job-vacancies.

Further information on vacancies: info@viroidoc.eu.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives. For any inquiries regarding the open call or next steps, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

ViroiDoc Beneficiaries

The consortium brings together nine beneficiaries, each of whom contributes unique expertise in molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, and bioinformatics. They share a vision of viroid diagnosis and plant disease control.

The University of Ljubljana (UL) in Slovenia is the project coordinator. The Chair of Genetics, Biotechnology, Statistics, and Plant Breeding at the UL Biotechnical Faculty (BF) is exploring plant genetic resources and using advanced molecular tools to study biotic stress responses and host-pathogen interactions. They are driving innovative solutions in agriculture with genome editing techniques.

The National Research Council (CNR-IPSP) in Italy is working to identify resistance and adaptation mechanisms to improve the health of plants used in agriculture and forestry. The CNR has over 20 years' experience of researching plant-associated viroids and viroid-like RNAs.

The Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes (IBMP) at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France is a world leader in plant virology and cell-to-cell movement. They are currently working on developing dsRNA-containing formulations for protecting plants against viruses.

The Spanish National Research Council (CSIC - IBMCP) in Spain aims to understand the interaction between plants and some of their pathogens, such as viruses and viroids. They are also taking this a step further by exploiting the remarkable biological properties of plant viruses and viroids to transform them into useful biotechnological tools.

The activities at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (IHPS) conducts research focusing on diagnostics, epidemiology studies, plant-pathogen interactions, and disease management. The IHPS places particular emphasis on fungal pathogens, oomycetes, viruses, and viroids.

The National Institute of Chemistry (NIC) in Slovenia is a leading institution in fundamental studies and the development of analytical tools, sensors and approaches in the interconnected fields of electrochemical (bio)sensing, (bio)imaging, atmospheric chemistry and food chemistry. One of their missions is the development of biosensors for viroid detection.

The Plant Molecular Biology laboratory (IMBB) at the University of Crete (UoC) in Greece lab has a well-established focus on viroid research. The lab´s goal is to understand the mechanisms of RNA silencing phenomena and their role in the plant´s response to viral and viroid infections, with potential applications in plant defense.

The Institute for Plant Molecular and Cell Biology at the Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV) in Spain integrates molecular biology, genetics, biochemical approaches, and expertise in metabolomics to study plant-pathogen interactions, signaling pathways, and defense mechanisms. The institute´s research aims to improve plant resistance and enhance agricultural productivity.

At the University of Regensburg (UREG) in Germany, the Department of Cell Biology and Plant Biochemistry studies how regulatory non-coding and coding RNAs can be used as 'sprayable RNAs' to enhance the agricultural value of crops. Their research spans from single molecules to intact cells, tissues and various living organisms, and uses a variety of modern technologies.

ViroiDoc Associated Partners

ViroiDoc beneficiaries research will be supported by a strong network of collaborators, including associated partners from leading research laboratories across the EU, two academic institutions from Argentina and the USA, and five industry partners active in areas such as plant breeding, plant pathogen diagnostics, plant protection, and consulting. The network also includes a university incubator that offers entrepreneurial mentoring and support.

List of associated partners:

• AbioPep (AP), Spain
• Accelopment Swiss (accelCH), Switzerland
• Institute of Biophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences (CAS), Czechia
• Bioreba, Switzerland
• Elsner pac, Germany
• Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), Spain
• Innosil, Poland
• Jožef Stefan Institute (JSI), Slovenia
• Ljubljana University Incubator (LUI), Slovenia
• National University of La Plata (UNLP), Argentina
• University of Bari (UniBa), Italy
• University of Strasbourg (UDS), France
• University of Florida (UF), Dept. of Plant Pathology, United States of America

Photos by ©BF, CNR, CNRS -IBMP, NIC, UPV.

The new employment law came into force in Italy, providing a basis for open vacancies.

ViroiDoc will soon be able to publish an open call for the two positions for Doctoral Candidates (DC) at the CNR-IPSP, Italy, in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA).

• DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
• DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms 

For more information about the IRPs - Individual Research Projects in Italy (DC7 and DC8), see here.

Who is eligible to apply?

• Positions will be available to candidates who hold a university degree (MSc or equivalent) in plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline, completed no later than the start of the PhD project.
• The successful candidate should have a strong interest in conducting collaborative research in international and cross-sectoral contexts.
• In addition, eligible applicants have not resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the selected host laboratory for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date (the starting date indicated in the employment contract or equivalent direct contract).
• The Doctoral Network ViroiDoc offers exciting projects on viroids, the smallest plant pathogens, and viroid-like RNAs that have only recently been discovered outside the plant kingdom.
• Three years of fully funded research, international training, networking opportunities.
• The programme includes secondments to partner laboratories or companies involved in plant breeding and plant protection located in Slovenia and Spain.
• This is an opportunity to pursue a PhD in one of Europe’s top research centres with an outstanding mentoring and career support. A comprehensive network-wide training and internship program, both in academia and industry.

The opening of the call is expected to be in July and the deadline for applications is expected to be in September 2025.

Further information will be provided after 15 July on ViroiDoc website.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives. For any inquiries regarding the open call or next steps, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

Between 12 March and 25 April 2025, ViroiDoc received 280 applications from 33 countries in response to its Open Call for PhD positions. Of these, 224 applications met the eligibility criteria and proceeded to further evaluation.

For the 8 PhD vacancies available across institutions in France, Germany, Greece, Slovenia, and Spain, 72 applications exceeded the 75% evaluation threshold. Following a rigorous selection process, 29 candidates were invited for interviews, and ultimately, 8 candidates were offered research positions.

We will soon announce the names of those selected for PhD positions in the participating countries. The selected candidates are currently undergoing recruitment and enrolment procedures at the respective host institutions and universities.

We kindly ask all applicants for their patience regarding individual evaluation results or inquiries. We appreciate your understanding as we complete the final stages of this process.

Thank you to everyone who applied. We look forward to the next phase of the ViroiDoc journey and will continue to share updates as they become available.

Positions for Italy soon to be open

ViroiDoc will soon be able to publish an open call for the two positions at the CNR-IPSP in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA).

• DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
• DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms
   

We expect the call to open this summer. More information will follow soon.

The Doctoral Network ViroiDoc offers exciting projects on viroids, the smallest plant pathogens, and viroid-like RNAs that have only recently been discovered outside the plant kingdom. The programme includes secondments to partner laboratories or companies involved in plant breeding and plant protection located in Argentina, Czechia, Germany, Poland and Spain.

This is an opportunity to pursue a PhD in one of Europe’s top research centres with an outstanding mentoring and career support. A comprehensive network-wide training and internship program, both in academia and industry.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives. For any inquiries regarding the open call or next steps, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

The international conference Viroids 2025 will provide a great opportunity to share and exchange knowledge and experience and discuss the advances in the expanding field of viroids and viroid-like RNAs.

Join Conference Viroids 2025 in Bari to share and discuss the most updated knowledge on viroids and viroid-like RNAs. Registration is open until 27 June 2025. The deadline for abstracts is also 27 June 2025.
For more information, visit Viroids 2025 website.

ViroiDoc partners will attend the conference. The partners will also come together in Bari for a "ViroiDoc Days" project activity (24-25 September 2025).

Confernce starting points

Till only a couple of years ago, these circular and infectious RNA elements were only known in plants (viroids and viroid-like satellite RNAs) and animals (hepatitis delta and hepatitis delta-like viruses). The recent identification of viroid-like RNAs in fungi (including ambiviruses, hybrids between viroids and viruses), human microbiome (the obelisks), and in metatranscriptome libraries from different ecological sources, has extended the host range of these infectious agents to kingdoms other than plants and animals, showing their huge biodiversity and ubiquity and, thus, arousing a general scientific interest. The International Conference Viroid 2025 - Viroids and viroid-like RNAs will be a great opportunity to promote scientific advances in this field.

After the eligibility check in Stage 1, eligible candidates will proceed to be reviewed by the selection committee specific to the project. Applicants scoring more than 75% will be included in the initial ranking list and invited to an (online) interview (Stage 2).

The ViroiDoc project team expects to evaluate the candidates by mid-June.

Applicants contacting ViroiDoc are kindly asked to be patient. This is in answering questions about evaluations.

We look forward to the next phase of this journey and will keep you updated as we move forward.

Positions for Italy not yet open

Due to a change in labour legislation, vacancies in Italy are not yet available. We will notify you when positions in Italy become available and invite you to apply.

• DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
• DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms

For more details see ViroiDoc Open Call Guidelines for Applicants.
For further information, please contact info@viroidoc.eu.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives.

For any inquiries regarding the open call or next steps, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

ViroiDoc project partners would like to extend our sincere thanks to all doctoral candidates and early-career researchers who submitted applications for our recent ViroiDoc Open Call for Doctoral Candidates in the fields of plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline. The call closed on 25 April at 12:00.

The response to the ViroiDoc Open Call has been great, and we are truly inspired by the diversity of applications in the submissions.

We apologise to all our followers and would like to let you know that we are working to resolve the issue.

In the meantime, you are also welcome to follow us on ViroiDoc and Instagram.

Thank you for your understanding!

After the eligibility check in Stage 1, eligible candidates will proceed to be reviewed by the selection committee specific to the project. Applicants scoring more than 75% will be included in the initial ranking list and invited to an (online) interview (Stage 2). The ViroiDoc project team anticipates notifying applicants about the outcome of their submission by the end of May or first week in June at the latest.

The first applicants for the following positions have been informed of the results:

• DC2 - Slovenia at the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (IHPS) - Climate change impact on viroid diseases
• DC5 - Spain at the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) - Point-of-care viroid diagnosis based on CRISPR-Cas technologies
• DC6 - Spain at the Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV) - Development of novel antiviroidal strategies: towards drug discovery
• DC9 - Greece at the University of Crete (UoC) - How disrupting host factors suppresses viroid infectivity 

Applicants contacting ViroiDoc are kindly asked to be patient. This is in answering questions about evaluations.

ViroiDoc commends the quality and dedication reflected in the applications and are inspired by the level of talent across the candidate pool.

We look forward to the next phase of this journey and will keep you updated as we move forward.

Positions for Italy not yet open

Due to a change in labour legislation, vacancies in Italy are not yet available. We will notify you when positions in Italy become available and invite you to apply.

DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms


For more details see ViroiDoc Open Call Guidelines for Applicants.
For further information, please contact info@viroidoc.eu.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube, to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives.

For any inquiries regarding the open call or next steps, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

ViroiDoc project partners would like to extend our sincere thanks to all doctoral candidates and early-career researchers who submitted applications for our recent ViroiDoc Open Call for Doctoral Candidates in the fields of plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline. The call closed on 25 April at 12:00.

The response to the ViroiDoc Open Call has been great, and we are truly inspired by the diversity of applications in the submissions.

ViroiDoc project partners would like to extend our sincere thanks to all doctoral candidates and early-career researchers who submitted applications for our recent ViroiDoc Open Call for Doctoral Candidates in the fields of plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related discipline. The call closed on 25 April at 12:00.

The response to the ViroiDoc Open Call has been great, and we are truly inspired by the diversity of applications in the submissions.

Next Steps

After the eligibility check in Stage 1, eligible candidates will proceed to be reviewed by the selection committee specific to the project. Applicants scoring more than 75% will be included in the initial ranking list and invited to an (online) interview (Stage 2). The ViroiDoc project team anticipates notifying applicants about the outcome of their submission by the end of May at the latest.

We want to express our gratitude to all those who contributed to this exciting initiative. The wide range of expertise and enthusiasm shown by applicants will play a crucial role in shaping the future of the ViroiDoc project.

We look forward to the next phase of this journey and will keep you updated as we move forward.

Positions for Italy not yet open

Due to a change in labour legislation, vacancies in Italy are not yet available. We will notify you when positions in Italy become available and invite you to apply.

• DC7 in Italy: IRP Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
• DC8 in Italy: IRP Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms

For more details see ViroiDoc Open Call Guidelines for Applicants.
For further information, please contact info@viroidoc.eu.

Stay Connected

Follow us on social media platforms, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube, to stay informed about future opportunities and upcoming initiatives.

For any inquiries regarding the open call or next steps, please reach out to us at info@viroidoc.eu.

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.

The International Conference VIROID 2025 will provide a great opportunity to share and exchange knowledge and experience and discuss the advances in the expanding field of viroids and viroid-like RNAs.

Till only a couple of years ago, these circular and infectious RNA elements were only known in plants (viroids and viroid-like satellite RNAs) and animals (hepatitis delta and hepatitis delta-like viruses). The recent identification of viroid-like RNAs in fungi (including ambiviruses, hybrids between viroids and viruses), human microbiome (the obelisks), and in metatranscriptome libraries from different ecological sources, has extended the host range of these infectious agents to kingdoms other than plants and animals, showing their huge biodiversity and ubiquity and, thus, arousing a general scientific interest. The International Conference Viroid 2025 - Viroids and viroid-like RNAs will be a great opportunity to promote scientific advances in this field.

Join Conference VIROID 2025 in Bari to share and discuss the most updated knowledge on viroids and viroid-like RNAs. Registration is now open. For more information, visit Viroid 2025 website.

ViroiDoc partners will attend the conference. The partners will also come together in Bari for a "ViroiDoc Days" project activity (24-25 September 2025).

The Doctoral Network ViroiDoc offers exciting projects on viroids, the smallest plant pathogens, and viroid-like RNAs that have only recently been discovered outside the plant kingdom. The programme includes secondments to partner laboratories or companies involved in plant breeding and plant protection located in Argentina, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Spain.

Career development and international mobility of researchers is a key concept within the MSCA-DN framework. The ViroiDoc training program is international, multidisciplinary and cross-sectoral. The training program consists of individual research projects (IRP), training by local doctoral schools and specific ViroiDoc network-wide training in scientific, technical, digital, entrepreneurial and transferable skills. By exposure to an international environment and different industries you will build a valuable network of contacts, providing a solid foundation for future research collaborations and direct employment opportunities in both the academic and the non-academic sectors working in molecular biology, bioinformatics, or in product and service development in European agriculture and innovation development.

Open positions with Individual Research Projects (IRP)

1. Slovenia: How Disrupting Viroid Biogenesis Impacts Viroid propagation (IRP)
Host: University of Ljubljana (UL) – Biotechnical Faculty
Supervisors: Nataša Štajner / Jernej Jakše (UL)

2. Slovenia: Climate change impact on viroid diseases
Host: Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewing (IHPS) in cooperation with UL (Biotechnical Faculty)
Supervisor: Sebastjan Radišek (IHPS)

3. Slovenia: Development of a disposable, selective, and sensitive electrochemical sensor for on-site detection of plant viroids
Host: National institute of chemistry (NIC) in cooperation with UL (Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology)
Supervisor: Samo Hočevar (NIC)

4. France: In vivo imaging of viroid RNA and associated host factors
Host: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS), Institut de biologie moléculaire des plantes (IBMP), affiliated with the University of Strasbourg (École doctorale des Sciences de la Vie et de la Santé)
Supervisor: Manfred Heinlein / Todd Blevins (CNRS)

5. Spain: Point-of-care viroid diagnosis based on CRISPR-Cas technologies
Host: Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) in cooperation with the Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV)
Supervisor: José-Antonio Daròs (CSIC)

6. Spain: Development of novel antiviroidal strategies: towards drug discovery
Host: Valencia Polytechnic University (UPV)
Supervisors: Purificación Lisón (UPV) and Kriton Kalantidis (UoC)

7. Italy: Dissection of viroid pathogenesis through omics and phenotyping approaches
Host: CNR-IPSP in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA)
Supervisors: Francesco di Serio (CNR) and Tiziana Mascia (UNIBA)
NOTE: Applications for this position are not yet being accepted. For further information, please contact info@viroidoc.eu.

8. Italy: Identification and characterization of novel infectious circular viroid-like RNAs in hosts belonging to different kingdoms
Host: CNR-IPSP in cooperation with the Università degli Studi di Bari Aldo Moro (UNIBA-DiSSPA)
Supervisors: Beatriz Navarro Ramirez (CNR) and Rita Milvia de Miccolis Angelini (UNIBA)
NOTE: Applications for this position are not yet being accepted. For further information, please contact info@viroidoc.eu.

9. Greece: How disrupting host factors suppresses viroid infectivity
Host: University of Crete (UoC)
Supervisor: Kriton Kalantidis (UoC)

10. Germany: RNA sprays - precision tools for the modulation of host genes to develop viroid resistance
Host: University of Regensburg (UREG)
Supervisor: Aline Koch (UREG)

Your profile:

• You have a university degree (MSc or equivalent) in plant biology, genetics, cell biology, biology, bioinformatics, biochemistry, chemistry or a related discipline, completed no later than by the start of the PhD project.
• You have a strong interest in conducting collaborative research in international and cross-sectoral contexts.

Specific eligibility criteria:

• You are not in a possession of a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• You have not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the selected host laboratory for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date (the starting date indicated in the employment contract or equivalent direct contract).
• You can communicate in both written and spoken English (language certificate B2-C2 required, see language proficiency in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - CEFR).
  NOTE: An overview of each research and training project on offer, with requirements for applicants are described in ViroiDoc Open Call Guidelines for applicants. Please read the project descriptions carefully to ensure that you meet the required qualifications.

We offer:

• A competitive salary in accordance with the MSCA regulations for DC (including a living allowance, mobility allowance, and, if applicable, a family allowance and/or, special needs allowance for eligible recruited researchers).
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD in one of Europe’s top research centres.
• The opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment and international team, with excellent equipment, infrastructure, and workspaces.
• Outstanding mentoring and career support.
• A comprehensive network-wide training and internship program, both in academia and industry.
• Training in cutting-edge techniques as well as other scientific, technical, digital, entrepreneurial and transferable skills through individual research projects accompanied by a multifaceted innovative training modules and secondment program.

Application

Application deadline: 25 April 2025, 12:00 CET.
Applications must be submitted electronically using the form on the ViroiDoc website.
Call details and guidelines for applicants are available on the ViroiDoc website.

Please note that applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Should you require any additional information about the vacancies, please contact the coordinator of the ViroiDoc DN at info@viroidoc.eu.

Open positions will be available to candidates who hold a university degree (MSc or equivalent) in Plant Biology, Genetics, Cell Biology, Biology, Bioinformatics, Biochemistry, Chemistry or a related discipline, completed no later than the start of the PhD project. The successful candidate should have a strong interest in conducting collaborative research.

The Doctoral Network ViroiDoc offers

• Exciting projects on viroids, the smallest plant pathogens, and viroid-like RNAs that have only recently been discovered outside the plant kingdom.
• The programme includes secondments to partner laboratories or companies involved in plant breeding and plant protection located in Argentina, the Czech Republic, Germany, Poland and Spain.
• A competitive salary.
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD in one of Europe’s top research centres with an outstanding mentoring and career support.
• A comprehensive network-wide training and internship program, both in academia and industry.
• Opportunity to participate in the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA).

Specific eligibility criteria

• You have not yet defended a thesis or obtained your doctoral degree prior to the recruitment date.
• You can communicate in both written and spoken English (language certificate required).
• You have not resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) at an institution within the country of the selected host laboratory for more than 12 months during the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date.

Application procedure

The detailed descriptions of the DC positions, the work locations, the training programme and the application process will be soon available on ViroiDoc website.

Indicative Open Call timeline

• March 2025: Launch of the open call.
• April 2025: Deadline for submitting applications.
• April-May 2025: Evaluation of candidates.
• May 2025: Notification of selected candidates.
• From May/June 2025: Start participation in ViroiDoc Network.

Should you require any additional information about the vacancies, please contact the coordinator of the ViroiDoc DN at info@viroidoc.eu.

See the List of Individual Research Projects (IRP) that will be available for open positions.

I am Jernej Jakše, a professor of genetics at the University of Ljubljana. I earned my PhD 21 years ago with a thesis focused on microsatellite markers in hops, known host plant of viroids.
 
Hop plants are currently known to host four different viroids: hop latent viroid (HLVd), hop stunt viroid (HSVd), apple fruit crinkle viroid (AFCVd), and citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd). HSVd was the first viroid discovered in hops, but it remained restricted to Japan for a long period (Sasaki and Shikata, 1977). HLVd was the second viroid identified in hop plants, with evidence emerging in 1987 (Pallas et al., 1987) and its sequence determined in 1988 (Puchta et al., 1988).
 
Although HLVd infections are asymptomatic—and nearly all commercially grown hop plants are infected—it was initially considered harmless to hop production. Nevertheless, diagnostic techniques were developed to detect HLVd in hops, supporting efforts to obtain viroid-free plants.
 
As a Master's student, I first encountered reverse PAGE electrophoresis for detecting HLVd in our laboratory. At the time, a PhD student was refining this detection approach, and I vividly remember the challenges, such as cracked glass plates during the denaturation process.
 
Later, in 2003, I joined a project with Dr. Sebastjan Radišek from the Slovenian Institute of Hop Research and Brewery in Žalec. Together, we developed a RT-PCR method and a non-radioactive detection method for HLVd (see Fig. 1 and Fig. 2). For roughly a decade, I stepped away from active viroid research, only to return when Sebastjan and I tackled the mystery of stunted hop plants in Slovenian fields. This investigation led to the discovery of CBCVd infection (Jakse et al., 2015). Since then, viroid research has once again become a part of my work. I've also built fruitful collaborations with various researchers and groups across Europe.
 
These collaborations culminated in the successful ViroidDoc network training, which I am excited to participate in. One of the most intriguing aspects of viroid research, for me, is their simplicity. Viroids are naked, circular RNAs, ranging from 250 to 400 base pairs, with no coding potential. And yet, despite their simplicity, we still do not fully understand them.
 
 
Jernej Jakše, PhD, is a full professor at the University of Ljubljana – Biotechnology, Department of Agronomy, Chair of Genetics, Biotechnology, Statistics and Plant Breeding.

Figure 1: Detection of three different hop total nucleic acid (TNA) samples using dot-blot hybridization. Samples of 5, 1, or 0.1 μl, isolated with AMES or CTAB extraction buffer, were applied to the membrane. Both extraction buffers produced signals of approximately equal intensity, but better results were obtained in RT-PCR with CTAB samples.
 
Figure 2: RT-PCR results of 10 hop samples isolated with AMES and CTAB extraction buffers. The expected HLVd fragment, 250 bp in length, was amplified in all 10 CTAB samples. Strong inhibition was observed with the AMES extraction buffer, as the HLVd fragment was amplified in only two samples (7 and 21); a – sample without TNA (negative control), b – control RNA amplification (323 bp, a component of the Promega kit).

1. JAKSE, J., RADISEK, S., POKORN, T., MATOUSEK, J. & JAVORNIK, B. 2015. Deep‐sequencing revealed Citrus bark cracking viroid (CBCVd) as a highly aggressive pathogen on hop. Plant Pathology.
2. PALLAS, V., NAVARRO, A. & FLORES, R. 1987. ISOLATION OF A VIROID-LIKE RNA FROM HOP DIFFERENT FROM HOP STUNT VIROID. Journal of General Virology, 68, 3201-3205.
3. PUCHTA, H., RAMM, K. & SANGER, H. L. 1988. The molecular-structure of hop latent viroid (HLV), a new viroid occurring worldwide in hops. Nucleic Acids Research, 16, 4197-4216.
4. SASAKI, M. & SHIKATA, E. 1977. On some properties of hop stunt disease agent, a viroid. Proceedings of the Japan Academy, Series B. Physical and Biological Sciences, 53, 109-112.

Through a series of unexpected events, I connected with Prof. Javornik and, under her guidance, started my doctoral studies, focusing on the interactions between Verticillium and hops. Like every PhD, it was a love-hate relationship with my research topic. Over four years, I realized that proteins and I simply weren’t meant to get along, but I also grew a deep passion for research and discovered unexpected joy in teaching at the university. I knew I wanted to stay in academia, but I needed a new direction.
 

Enter viroids—protein-free RNA molecules that perfectly suit my protein aversion !

With the invaluable mentorship of Prof. Jakše, I shifted focus and landed my first postdoctoral project on the interaction between CBCVd and hops. It’s been an exciting start to my career, and I’m already amazed at where this journey might take me. In recent years we were surprised to find viroid-like molecules outside the plant kingdom1-5. What other secrets are these tiny RNA rebels hiding?
 
It’s incredible how such tiny RNA molecules can have such powerful effects. I keep asking myself: Why does CBCVd cause no symptoms in oranges, but hops infected with it die after just a few years? And why does HLVd leave hops untouched but completely destroy hemp? What are the molecular mechanisms behind these interactions, and how can we use this knowledge to stop viroids from spreading?
Can infected plants even be treated? Will we ever find effective phytosanitary solutions? These are just some of the questions I hope to explore in the EU project ViroiDoc, which is starting soon. I’m so excited to begin this new chapter and see what discoveries lie ahead—because with viroids, it’s never boring!
 
Helena Volk, PhD, is a teaching assistant the University of Ljubljana – Biotechnology, Department of Agronomy, Chair of Genetics, Biotechnology, Statistics and Plant Breeding

1. Sun, L., & Hadidi, A. (2022). Mycoviroids: Fungi as hosts and vectors of viroids. Cells, 11(8), 1335. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells11081335
2. Dong, K., Xu, C., Kotta-Loizou, I., Jiang, J., Lv, R., Kong, L., Li, S., Hong, N., Wang, G., Coutts, R. H. A., & Xu, W. (2023). Novel viroid-like RNAs naturally infect a filamentous fungus. Advanced Science, 10(3), e2204308. https://doi.org/10.1002/advs.202204308
3. Forgia, M., Navarro, B., Daghino, S., Cervera, A., Gisel, A., Perotto, S., Aghayeva, D. N., Akinyuwa, M. F., Gobbi, E., Zheludev, I. N., Edgar, R. C., Chikhi, R., Turina, M., Babaian, A., Di Serio, F., & de la Peña, M. (2023). Hybrids of RNA viruses and viroid-like elements replicate in fungi. Nature
4. Zheludev, I. N., Edgar, R. C., Lopez-Galiano, M. J., de la Peña, M., Babaian, A., Bhatt, A. S., & Fire, A. Z. (2024). Viroid-like colonists of human microbiomes. bioRxiv. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.01.20.576352

University of Hohenheim (DE) invites you to the 4th Workshop on Hop Viroids - online edition, where they will discuss recent developments in viroid research, spread, detection, and management in hops.

Since 2021, the annual Hop Viroid Workshop has provided a platform for agile research groups to exchange findings and strategies to keep viroids away from hops. The 4th digital edition builds on past discussions and with presentations on key research results from Germany (UHOH, LfL), Slovenia (IHPS, UJ), and Czech Republic (IHR). Presentations from the practice on new methods or related topics of plant health and management are welcome to be presented.

When: Tuesday, 8 April 2025 at 8:30 CET
Format: Online (Zoom)
Registration deadline: 31 March 2025*
The workshop will be held in English. Participation in the workshop is free of charge.

*Registration & Presentation: To participate in the Hop Viroid Workshop, send a short email with the subject "Hop Viroid Workshop," including your name and institute, to pro-bioeconomy@uni-hohenheim.de by March 31, 2025, to ensure you receive a certificate of participation. If you wish to give a presentation, please submit the title, speaker's name, and preferred duration (5–30 min) to the same email address.

BACKGROUND & TOPICS

Viroid infections pose an increasing threat to hop production, with Citrus Bark Cracking Viroid (CBCVd) spreading from Slovenia to Hallertau since 2019 and Hop Stunt Viroid (HSVd) recently detected in Germany. Unlike fungal pathogens, viroids can remain latent for months or even years, making early detection challenging. Hops naturally host four viroid species, with a fifth infecting them experimentally, raising concerns about their susceptibility and the role of climate change, global trade, and farm management in their spread.

The workshop provides a platform for researchers and industry professionals to exchange knowledge and explore strategies to mitigate viroid risks in hop production.

Topics: Viroid spread & control in hops – Waterborne transmission via irrigation – Viroid degradation in
water & plant material – Farm management: hygiene, sanitation, crop rotation – Viroid-free plants
through tissue culture elimination – Detection: molecular diagnostics, early identification – HSVd spread
in Germany – Novel viroids: CEVd as experimental hop pathogen – Tissue culture test systems for
research & eradication – Integrated strategies: early detection, phytosanitary measures, sustainable
management.

CNR - Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, Unit of Bari, announced the next International Conference VIROID 2025 - Viroids and viroid-like RNAs to be held in Bari (Italy) from 22 to 24 September 2025.
 
The International Conference VIROID 2025 will provide a great opportunity to share and exchange knowledge and experience and discuss the new advances in the expanding field of viroids and viroid-like RNAs. Till only a couple of years ago, these circular and infectious RNA elements were only known in plants (viroids and viroid-like satellite RNAs) and animals (hepatitis delta and hepatitis delta-like viruses). The recent identification of viroid-like RNAs in fungi (including ambiviruses, hybrids between viroids and viruses), bacteria of the human microbiome (the obelisks), and in metatranscriptome libraries from different ecological sources, has extended the host range of these infectious agents to kingdoms other than plants and animals, showing their huge biodiversity and ubiquity and, thus, arousing a general scientific interest.
 
Join Conference VIROID 2025 in Bari to share and discuss the most updated knowledge on viroids and viroid-like RNAs.
 
Follow the Viroid 2025 website to find out more.
 
The event is attached to the ViroiDoc project funded by the European Union within the Horizon Europe MSCA Doctoral Networks.

Authors observations identify obelisks as a class of diverse RNAs of yet-to-be-determined impact that have colonized and gone unnoticed in human and global microbiomes.
 
In their article Ivan N. Zheludev, Robert C. Edgar, Maria Jose Lopez-Galiano, Marcos de la Peña, Artem Babaian, Ami S. Bhatt and Andrew Z. Fire highlight that:

• Obelisks are a phylogenetically distinct group of microbiome-associated, viroid-like RNAs
• Found globally in diverse niches, obelisks also occur in human stool and oral microbiomes
• The human oral bacterium Streptococcus sanguinis SK36 harbors a distinct “obelisk-S.s”
• Under replete growth conditions, obelisk-S.s appears to be disposable for SK36 growth 

Find out more on Science Direct article titled Viroid-like colonists of human microbiomes (2024) by authors Ivan N. Zheludev, Robert C. Edgar, Maria Jose Lopez-Galiano, Marcos de la Peña, Artem Babaian, Ami S. Bhatt and Andrew Z. Fire.

In his article William A. Haseltine introduce us to viroids, the smallest pathogens. Most people will have heard about viruses, bacteria, and fungi, three major types of disease-causing microbes. “Some will also have heard about protozoa, which are larger and more complex than the aforementioned three. The particularly studious may even know of prions, which are “infectious”, misfolded proteins that cause neurodegenerative diseases, including mad cow disease. But few will know about the smallest infectious pathogens discovered to date: viroids.”
 
Find out more on Forbes in article titled What Are Viroids? Taking A Peek At The World’s Smallest Pathogens (2023) by William A. Haseltine.