iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Björn Krenz

Stèf Blanc @steffffff.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

Deadline approaching Do Not Forget to join us !!! Beautiful Science program 👍🏻 👇🏼 isdv2026.com

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Reposted by Björn Krenz

DSMZ Digital Diversity @dsmzd3.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

📣New database resource📣 We are delighted to announce a new addition to #DSMZDigitalDiversity. Together with the #PlantVirology Department at @leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social, we have developed a new tool dedicated to plant viruses.🌱🦠 The 1st prototype of PVDive is now available online! 👉 pvdive.dsmz.de

Try out our new plant virus resource PVDive!

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

A quick and efficient access to data related to plant viruses and their plant hosts: 👉 pvdive.dsmz.de #PlantVirology

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Snowy Days in #Braunschweig ❄️ Quite a bit of snow in our area today — schools are closed, but the Leibniz-Institut DSMZ-Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH Department Plant Viruses labs and greenhouses are not 😉

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Virus… or stress? Diagnosis is one of the real challenges in plant health research. Sometimes, the hardest part isn’t finding the virus, it’s proving whether there is one at all. #PlantVirology #ScienceHumor

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

But Tomato fruit blotch virus (ToFBV), a Blunervirus, shows up with a lipid membrane — rare, exotic, and eye-catching. Even in virology, fashion matters. 😉 #PlantVirology #ToFBV #Blunervirus #Kitaviridae #SciComm #ScienceHumor

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

Like parsley! Did you know that Germans consume 138g/year/household? Bummer if it infected by rhabdoviruses...

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 05/09/2025

🍂 It's September – time to reveal our new Virus of the Month! This one has been grafted, as shown in the picture... but can you guess what it is? 👀 Stay tuned – more clues and facts coming soon! #PlantVirology

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 03/09/2025

For plant viruses, assembling into particles is like getting dressed before leaving the "house". Most plant viruses know: no capsid, no infection. #PlantVirology

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 26/08/2025

RNA viruses are famous for their fast and sloppy replication, using error-prone RNA polymerases that generate lots of mutations. But here’s the twist: many DNA viruses mutate just as much — even though they often rely on the host’s supposedly “accurate” DNA polymerases. But why? #PlantVirology

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

We keep an eye out for novel rhabdoviruses here at the @leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social , too! With #HTS on the rise, we're seeing many unclassified, new rhabdo-like viruses, for example, in local herbs!

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

if you like to know more about our department plant viruses at the DSMZ: www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3_n...

youtube.com

Plant Virus Department at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ

YouTube video by Leibniz-Institut DSMZ

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Great internal event @leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social today! Insightful presentations from our department heads gave a strong overview of ongoing work and strategic goals. At DSMZ, the Plant Viruses department provides virus inoculum, antibodies, HTS services and more: www.dsmz.de/collection/c...

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

With HTS, we can detect even the smallest traces of viral RNA or DNA in plant samples—but not everything detected actually infects the plant. Detection ≠ infection. HTS is just the start—validation is essential. #PlantVirology #HTS #VirusDiscovery #PlantPathology lnkd.in/eFG_rWcg

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

As global temperatures rise, insect vectors like whiteflies can increasingly shift their range. Regions once considered too cold may soon become suitable habitat—bringing plant viruses (and other pathogens) along for the ride. #PlantVirology #ClimateChange #InsectVectors #PlantHealth #Whiteflies

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Reposted by Björn Krenz

Lars-Anders Carlson @lacarlson.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Repost appreciated: Open #PhDposition in structural virology in my group! Join us in Umeå, Sweden to uncover how arboviruses remodel infected cells. In situ #cryoET and #cryoEM combined with #virology, #cellbiology, and #biophysics. Deadline 7 September. More info: www.carlsonlab.se/join/

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 14/08/2025

Today is back2school in Lower Saxony, Germany. I wish all students a great first day at school!

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 13/08/2025

Transmission? Think insect vectors! Mostly planthoppers, leafhoppers, or aphids. #Rhabdoviruses replicate in both the insect and the plant = propagative transmission.Viruses with dual hosts and dual replication strategies are always a thrill, aren't they?

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 12/08/2025

These viruses are non-segmented negative-sense RNA viruses. Translation: they need to carry their own RNA-dependent RNA polymerase to transcribe their genome upon entry.

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 11/08/2025

😄yes, you are right - that one is not a TMV. TMV is like Sleeping Beauty when you kiss her awake 😉

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 08/08/2025

Plant rhabdoviruses belong mainly to two genera: Cytorhabdovirus: replicate in the cytoplasm Nucleorhabdovirus: replicate in the nucleus (!) Yes, they hijack different compartments depending on the species.

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Did you know? Rhabdoviruses aren’t just for animals – they also infect plants (and insects)! Their iconic bullet shape and negative-sense RNA genomes make them virologically unique across kingdoms.

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 07/08/2025

Plant Virus(es) of the Month – August: Rhabdoviruses! Welcome to the world of bullet-shaped troublemakers This month we’re exploring plant-infecting rhabdoviruses – fascinating, complex, and often overlooked members of the virosphere. #PlantVirology #Rhabdovirus

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 30/07/2025

Bringing home seeds or plants from your holiday? 🌿✈️ You might also import something smaller ! 🦠 Some viruses travel light... but cause heavy damage. Don’t plant trouble. #PlantHealth #PlantVirology

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

Today we had the great opportunity to visit Sönke Strampe (www.soenkes-suesskartoffeln.de) and his farm to learn more about sweet potatoes – a big thank you for the warm welcome, the valuable insights, and the open exchange! 🌱🍠 #SweetPotato #PlantVirology

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 27/06/2025

#HappyFriday, everyone! Not all plant viruses are hyperactive. Some, like Arabidopsis latent virus 1 (ArLV-1, DSMZ No.: PC-1445), can persist in their hosts without causing symptoms — quietly hanging out in sort of "latent state".

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 20/06/2025

Plant viruses don’t just infect — they reprogram. TYLCV infection shifts sugars & amino acids from shoots to roots, tweaking host metabolism to its own advantage. Viral engineering at its finest. doi.org/10.3390/plan... #PlantVirology #Begomovirus #TYLCV #PlantPathology

doi.org

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 16/06/2025

Spread exclusively by the whitefly Bemisia tabaci — infected whiteflies carry TYLCV for life: Cohen S. & Nitzany F.E. (1966). Transmission and host range of the tomato yellow leaf curl virus. Phytopathology, 56:1127–1131. #PlantVirology #TYLCV scispace.com/papers/trans...

scispace.com

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 10/06/2025

📚 A great resource for #PlantVirology! 👉 Descriptions of Plant Viruses Perfect complement to our #VirusOfTheMonth series — check out Tomato yellow leaf curl virus-Israel: www.dpvweb.net/dpv/showdpv/...

dpweb.net

Site is undergoing maintenance

Site will be available soon. Thank you for your patience!

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 08/06/2025

🔬 Historical milestone in #PlantVirology! In 1991, Navot et al. cloned & sequenced the complete genome of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) 👉 revealing it as the first known whitefly-transmitted monopartite geminivirus! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... #TYLCV #VirusOfTheMonth #Begomovirus

doi.org

Redirecting

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 06/06/2025

Early history: TYLCD was initially recognized in the Jordan Valley, Israel, in the 1930s, but it was not until the early 1960s that #TYLCV was identified (Cohen and Nitzany, 1960, 1966). Found in: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

sciencedirect.com

Ongoing geographical spread of Tomato yellow leaf curl virus

Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) seriously impacts tomato production throughout tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world. It has a broad ge…

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Apparently, #begomoviruses, like #TYLCV, can replicate in one nucleus...that might have some implications. journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/...

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 05/06/2025

Why does co-infection matter? Because shared replication spaces may boost chances of genetic exchange — leading to new, potentially more aggressive virus strains.

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

#VirusoftheMonth – June 2025: Tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV) After PSSaV in May, we now turn to one of the most destructive viruses affecting tomato crops globally: TYLCV. #PlantVirology #TYLCV #Begomovirus

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

Discovery of #PSSaV showcases the power of deep sequencing & molecular virology. It's a reminder that even backyard gardens can be windows into virus evolution. Stay tuned for June’s #PlantVirusOfTheMonth! #PlantVirology

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 30/05/2025

High-Throughput Sequencing (HTS): Spotting the unseen troublemakers!

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Reposted by Björn Krenz

Leibniz Institute DSMZ @leibniz-dsmz.bsky.social · 23/05/2025

Bedrohen Pflanzenviren unsere Ernährung? Den Einfluss der Viren auf unsere Ernährungssicherheit erklärt unser Experte @bkrenz.bsky.social bei #BookAScientist. Terminbuchung: www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de/ueber-uns/neues/veranstaltungen/book-a-scientist #ernährung #pflanzengesundheit #pflanzenviren

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Reposted by Björn Krenz

Remco Stam @rstam.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

Are you looking for an exciting postdoc on quantitative disease resistance in Quinoa in collaboration with @kjschmid.bsky.social and others?? Apply now. The project can start as soon as possible!

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Plasmodesmata are normally too narrow for large molecules like viral RNA or proteins. Movement proteins can modify these channels to widen them — like giving the virus a VIP pass.

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Reposted by Björn Krenz

Dr Róisín McManus @roisinmcmanus.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

📢 We are #hiring a #PhD student to work on an interdisciplinary, collaborative project @dzne.science in Bonn, Germany! 🧠 If you’re interested in western diet-induced #neuroinflammation and innate immune signalling in #alzheimersdisease, check out our ad below 👇 jobs.dzne.de/en/jobs/1014...

jobs.dzne.de

PhD student (f/m/x) in the field of Neuroimmunology 1439/2025/5]

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Plant viruses are typically transmitted in a few key ways — quite different from how animal viruses spread....

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Björn Krenz @bkrenz.bsky.social · 12/05/2025

Today is International Plant Health Day!

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