Recent advances in high‑throughput sequencing have revealed an enormous diversity of previously unknown plant viruses, especially in wild plants and environmental samples. However, their biological properties, host range, and potential to emerge as agricultural pathogens remain largely unexplored.
The SNEP‑VIMS project addresses this gap by combining synthetic virology, deep mutational scanning, and experimental evolution to systematically characterize newly discovered plant viruses. We will generate infectious viral clones, identify their host associations, and map their evolutionary potential under different environmental and host conditions.
By developing a novel experimental toolbox that links virus discovery with functional and evolutionary analysis, the project will provide fundamental insights into how plant viruses adapt, evolve, and potentially emerge as pathogens. These advances will contribute to improved understanding of virus ecology and support future strategies for sustainable crop protection and food security.
This is a fundamental research project financed by Slovenian Research and Innovation Agency (ARIS).
Project ID: J4-70166
Duration: 1.3.2026 – 28.2.2029
Data management plan: available in DiRROS repository
