The South Moravian Region and its partners invite you to the Science Café with Leticia Botella Sánchez, an unconventional open discussion, this time exceptionally held online, focused on the topic of novel species of viruses. Viruses are a global source of significant health and economic burdens. Interactions are the driving force for the ever-growing distribution and emergence of novel viruses. The introduction of high-throughput sequencing-based methods has paved the way for genomics-based detection of pathogens without any prior assumptions about the characteristics of the organisms. Novel mycoviruses can be seen as potential agents in the protection of forest stands and also threats for many organisms. Relationships between the different viruses and any effects of the novel viruses' hosts remain broadly questioned and unknown.

Leticia Botella Sánchez has developed her scientific carrier in the field of plant and tree pathology from the molecular to the ecological level. Her research covers the description of novel species of fungal viruses (mycoviruses), their occurrence and diversity within hosts’ populations, and their possible influence on the virulence of their pathogenic fungal hosts. Her alma mater is the University of Salamanca and her current affiliation the Phytophthora Research Centre at the Mendel University in Brno.

Science Café is a forum for discussion of current work and interesting scientific issues. It aims to be informal and accessible. Anyone can participate; speaker is there to be questioned and to talk about his work.

We very much hope that you will be able to join us on 8 October 2020 at 18:00.

Registration is available at https://geform.tc.cz/Science_caf%C3%A9_18. You will receive link to the live streaming via email.