BF UL recipient of the MSCA Doctoral Network Project
Tjaša Cesar
Date of publication:
The Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana is the recipient of the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network Project. The Department of Agronomy at BF UL will coordinate the project titled ViroiDoc - Advanced Research on Viroid Pathogenesis and Control for Sustainable Agriculture, worth 2.5 million euros, over the next four years. The project is led by Prof. Nataša Štajner, Asist. Prof. Sabina Berne and Prof. Jernej Jakše.
The ViroiDoc consortium, composed of researchers with complementary expertise in basic research (molecular biology, biotechnology, genetics, bioinformatics), applied sciences (nano- and sensor technologies), and innovation development (plant protection, plant diagnostics, plant breeding), will provide doctoral students with excellent scientific and methodological knowledge and skills to develop their professional careers and future employment. Ultimately, the ViroiDoc program will contribute to European research excellence, promote technology transfer, raise awareness about viroids, and improve food safety and agricultural sustainability in Europe and beyond.
What exactly are viroids, and why is controlling them important? Viroids are the smallest infectious plant pathogens, causing crop losses worth tens of millions of euros annually and affecting yield and crop quality worldwide. Climate change enables viroids to occupy new geographic areas and hosts, thereby endangering global food security.
The proposal from the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana received a score of 99.2% and was the fourth highest-rated project in the MSCA DN 2023 call in the field of science studies.
ViroiDoc is an international, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral doctoral network aimed at achieving a thorough understanding and management of viroids in line with the European Green Deal and the European environmental protection program, as well as the "farm to fork" strategy for sustainable crop production and reliable food supply. As part of the project, 10 doctoral students will be trained for careers in molecular biology, bioinformatics, research and development of technologies, services, and innovations in European agriculture.
