PPG Biochemistry UFC promotes lecture on innovative technologies for plant protection against viruses.
Published at: June 9, 2026 Category: Sem categoriaThe Postgraduate Program in Biochemistry at the Federal University of Ceará (PPG Bioquímica UFC) invites the academic community to the lecture “Vaccinating Crops Against Viruses: A New Way to Protect Plants,” which will be given by researcher Dr. Washington da Silva, from the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and the University of Connecticut (UConn).
The event will be held on July 8, 2026, at 10:00 AM, in the Auditorium of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (DBBM/UFC).
Dr. Washington da Silva is a scientist at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station (CAES) and an adjunct professor at the University of Connecticut (UConn). He holds a PhD in Virology from Cornell University, an M.Sc. in Bacteriology and Mycology from Louisiana State University, and a degree in Agronomic Engineering from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV).
His research focuses on plant virology, with an emphasis on RNA interference (RNAi), molecular diagnostics, bioinformatics, and nanotechnology. His research group works on transforming fundamental discoveries in molecular biology into sustainable solutions for agriculture, maintaining active scientific collaborations with institutions in the United States and Brazil.
During the lecture, the researcher will present recent advances in the development of an innovative technology based on the foliar application of RNAi molecules associated with nanotechnology to “vaccinate” plants against viral pathogens and other disease-causing agents. This strategy emerges as a promising alternative to conventional chemical pesticides, offering an environmentally safe approach, without toxic residues and with high potential for large-scale application.
The lecture will address the scientific foundations of this technology, its implementation challenges, and its prospects for contributing to more sustainable agricultural systems and strengthening global food security.
Date: July 8, 2026
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Auditorium of the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (DBBM/UFC)
Participation is open to the academic community.
