The Annual Meeting of the Society for Virology (GfV) took place from March 25 to March 28, 2024, at the Medical University of Vienna in the city of Vienna. After years of the pandemic, this time the focus was on scientific advancements across the spectrum of virology, beyond SARS-CoV-2. The program featured keynote lectures by renowned experts and numerous workshops for short presentations. There was ample time for personal networking and idea exchange between sessions, at the posters, or during the social events. From our group, Noriko, Sarah, Muriel and Sandra were present, with a booth, posters and a talk showcasing our work.
VirJenDB database booth
Looking back on GfV 2024, our VirJenDB booth was a bustling hub of activity on the 8th floor. We welcomed participants to join us and explore our central hub connecting virus researchers with essential resources and metadata. Attendees had the opportunity to discover the latest advancements in virus research and engage in discussions with our team. It was an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow researchers and share insights.
Poster of Noriko Cassman and Sarah Krautwurst “VirJenDB: the comprehensive virus database based in Jena in 2024”
Our VirJenDB poster, titled “VirJenDB: the comprehensive virus database based in Jena in 2024” and presented by Noriko and Sarah, drew the attention of attendees. It was more than just a poster; it was an invitation to delve deeper into discussions tailored for virus researchers. Noriko provided insights into VirJenDB, a project established by the NFDI4Microbiota service, aimed at facilitating the reuse of virus metadata and sequences while adhering to FAIR and Open Science principles. This comprehensive database integrates publicly available virus data from various sources into a MySQL database, offering features like semantic search, taxonomy browsing, and visualization tools. The future of VirJenDB promises exciting developments such as gene annotations, sequence alignments, and tools for sequence analysis, all of which contribute to advancing global virus research.
Poster of Muriel Ritsch “Genomic Echoes: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Identifying Endogenous Viral Elements”
Another standout poster was presented by Muriel, titled “Genomic Echoes: Exploring Challenges and Opportunities in Identifying Endogenous Viral Elements”. Attendees were invited to explore the study delving into endogenous viral elements (EVEs) – viral remnants integrated into host genomes that influence virus-host interactions and disease. Despite their significance, EVEs encounter challenges in data availability and accessibility, impacting virus research. The research underscores the necessity for specialized EVE identification tools, standardized data presentation methods, and interdisciplinary collaboration to comprehensively understand the role of EVEs in virus research. It was an enlightening exploration into a crucial aspect of virology research.
Talk of Sandra Triebel “First full-genome nucleotide alignment and RNA secondary structure prediction of pestiviruses”
A very interesting talk was given by Sandra, entitled “First full-genome nucleotide alignment and RNA secondary structure prediction of pestiviruses”, where she referred to her study. The study presented the first full-genome alignment and RNA secondary structure prediction of pestiviruses, a genus of RNA viruses responsible for various clinical diseases in animals. By analysing 59 representative genomes, both known and novel RNA secondary structures were uncovered, providing valuable insights into the diversity of pestiviruses. These findings not only deepen our understanding of the biology of pestiviruses, but also pave the way for future research into their replication, pathogenesis and interactions with hosts. The talk aroused the curiosity and enthusiasm of those present and emphasised the importance of ongoing research in virology.
In summary, the 33rd Annual Meeting of the Society for Virology (GfV) in Vienna showcased groundbreaking research and fostered valuable connections. From our VirJenDB booth to insightful talks and posters, attendees explored diverse topics in virology. The event underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration and innovation in advancing virus research. We eagerly anticipate building on these discussions and discoveries in future endeavors.