Björn Krenz's Avatar

Björn Krenz

@bkrenz

Head of the DSMZ Plant Viruses Department, PI, dedicated in collection, diagnosis, management and research of plant viruses

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30.11.2023
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Latest posts by Björn Krenz @bkrenz

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

isdv2026.com

15.01.2026 17:19 👍 2 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Try out our new plant virus resource PVDive!

Try out our new plant virus resource PVDive!

📣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

14.01.2026 13:21 👍 9 🔁 5 💬 1 📌 1
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A quick and efficient access to data related to plant viruses and their plant hosts:

👉 pvdive.dsmz.de

#PlantVirology

15.01.2026 14:07 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Quantum nanoscience, nanomaterials, and nanomedicine feature in CIC nanoGUNE´s summer internship programme In the framework of this program, the Basque nanoscience research center will be receiving this summer at least ten new students in their 3rd and 4th years of Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Engineer...

www.nanogune.eu/nanogune/new...
#nanoscience
#nanomedicine
#nanomaterials

09.01.2026 12:45 👍 0 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
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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 😉

09.01.2026 10:38 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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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

08.01.2026 11:11 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Happy Holidays, evryone!

22.12.2025 09:33 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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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

22.09.2025 11:11 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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Like parsley! Did you know that Germans consume 138g/year/household? Bummer if it infected by rhabdoviruses...

05.09.2025 10:48 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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🍂 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

05.09.2025 10:07 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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For plant viruses, assembling into particles is like getting dressed before leaving the "house". Most plant viruses know: no capsid, no infection.
#PlantVirology

03.09.2025 13:10 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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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

26.08.2025 09:07 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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!

21.08.2025 13:12 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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21.08.2025 11:57 👍 1 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
Plant Virus Department at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ
Plant Virus Department at the Leibniz Institute DSMZ YouTube video by Leibniz-Institut DSMZ

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

20.08.2025 08:21 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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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...

20.08.2025 08:09 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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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

18.08.2025 13:48 👍 3 🔁 0 💬 3 📌 0
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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

15.08.2025 06:43 👍 7 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0
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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/

13.08.2025 22:10 👍 50 🔁 37 💬 0 📌 6
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Today is back2school in Lower Saxony, Germany. I wish all students a great first day at school!

14.08.2025 05:03 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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?

13.08.2025 05:37 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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.

12.08.2025 10:17 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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

11.08.2025 10:17 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
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No words needed 😉

11.08.2025 05:49 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
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Happy Friday everyone!

08.08.2025 12:11 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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.

08.08.2025 12:06 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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.

07.08.2025 15:55 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

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

07.08.2025 15:54 👍 4 🔁 0 💬 6 📌 0
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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

30.07.2025 12:16 👍 3 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0
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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

29.07.2025 13:26 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0