Research

Research of the Department of Plant Virology focuses on molecular pathogenes of plants - viruses, phytoplasmas, and bacteria.

Viruses

• Detection of viruses by nucleic acid based and ELISA method)
• Analysis and expressions of virus genomes
• Study of molecular variability and evolution of comoviruses
• Development of new molecular methods for viruses detection (real-time PCR, microarrays)
• Screening for novel viruses
• Virus propagation in laboratory host plants
• Immunisation and antisera preparation with natural or recombinant antigens

Phytoplasmas

• Detection of phytoplasmas by 16S rRNA gene PCR amplification, RFLP analysis, dodder transmission to periwinkle, DAPI and electron scanning, or transmission microscopy
• Development of new molecular technique for phytoplasmas detection (microarrays)
• Study of phytopathogenes occurrence and its genetic variants
• Screening and genome analysis of phytoplasma plasmids

Bacteria

• Nucleic acid based detection methods of plant bacterial pathogenes
• Screening and molecular variability analysis
• Development of new molecular methods for screening and variability analyses of bacteria - microarrays