By infecting Arabidopsis with +ssRNA viruses, the team found that autophagy acts as a dial, tuning the immune response to prevent cells from dying too quickly. In turn, this process buys plants time to repair cell damage caused by viral infection and improves their chance of survival.
Gregor Mendel Institute of Molecular Plant Biology
The 2026 Mendel Early Career Symposium has come to a close! Last week, 100 international researchers gathered at the Vienna BioCenter to share their latest findings, network, and forge collaborations that will accelerate research and training in plant science.
We look forward to continuing this tradition of fostering scientific excellence and community by welcoming many more early career researchers to the symposium in the future! See more highlights: www.oeaw.ac.at/gmi/news-eve...
New study published in Science! Led by @thevirusmc.bsky.social and @plantophagy.bsky.social, former group leader at the GMI of the @oeaw.bsky.social, the researchers set out to understand how autophagy – the cell’s clean-up and recycling system – mediates plant immune response to viral infection.
The GMI Communications Team wrapped up an inspiring week at #ECSITE 2026 in Gothenburg, connecting with other science communicators to gain new ideas & practical tools. Trust, elements of play, local connections & collaboration are key for broadening engagement with our science. #scicomm
