Plant Virus Biotechnology

IBMCP (CSIC-Universitat Politècnica de València)

Plants host a wide array of infectious agents that frequently cause significant crop damage. Our research group aims to understand the interactions between plants and these pathogens, specifically viruses and viroids. By leveraging this knowledge, we develop novel biotechnological strategies for crop protection. Furthermore, given the remarkable biological properties of plant viruses and viroids, we believe these agents can be repurposed into valuable biotechnological tools. Our work also focuses on developing synthetic systems to produce recombinant proteins, nanoparticles, metabolites, and RNAs in plants using engineered viral and viroid vectors. Ultimately, we strive to contribute to a future where cultivated plants serve as the most reliable and sustainable source of food, feed, fibers, fuel, and pharmaceutical and chemical products for humanity.

More specifically, some of our ongoing projects aim to:

1. Develop virus-based expression vectors to facilitate CRISPR-Cas genome editing in plants. See Merwaiss et al. 2026 Plant Biotech. J. or Merwaiss et al. 2026 Hortic. Res.

2. Produce virus-derived nanoparticles decorated with molecules of interest, such as antibodies, in biofactory plants. See Lozano-Sanchez et al. 2026 Adv. Healtc. Mater., Merwaiss et al. 2024 Plant Biotechnol. J. or Lozano-Sanchez et al. 2024 ACS Nano

3. Produce recombinant double-stranded RNA for crop protection against pests and pathogens. See Ortolá et al. 2024 Pest Manag. Sci. or Ortolá et al. 2021 RNA Biol.

4. Develop viral vectors to produce recombinant proteins in plants. See Talens-Perales et al. 2023 Curr. Res. Biotechnol. or Talens-Perales et al. 2022 Sci. Rep.

5. Produce metabolically fortified plants and fruits using viral vectors. See Houhou et al. 2022 Biotechnol. J. or Martí et al. 2020 Metab. Eng.

6. Decipher how viruses and viroid RNAs are able to replicate, overcome defenses and move systemically through the host plants. See Eiras et al. 2024 Virol. J. or Ortolá & Daròs 2022 Biology.

Our group is part of the Instituto de Biología Molecular y Celular de Plantas (IBMCP), a joint center between Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) and the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV).