The invited seminar will present comprehensive information on virological surveillance techniques and their applications in health and biotechnology. It will emphasize the critical role of molecular methods in detecting and characterizing viral agents. The discussion will highlight studies on tick-borne viruses prevalent in Colombia, revealing the diversity of viral genomes identified through next-generation sequencing approaches. Additionally, it will address the epidemiology of mosquito-borne viruses such as Venezuelan equine encephalitis, Mayaro and Chikungunya, underscoring the need for enhanced surveillance due to underdiagnosis of febrile illnesses. The seminar will also explore the potential use of insect-associated viruses as biocontrol agents against agricultural pests, demonstrating the intersection of virology with ecological and economic concerns.

Biografija (anglų k.): Prof. Dr. Carolina Montoya Ruiz is a Biological Engineer with a Master’s and a Ph.D. in Biomedical Sciences, with a focus on Immunology and Virology, respectively. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Universidad Nacional de Colombia. Her research has focused on infectious diseases, particularly viral surveillance and the development of diagnostic tests. In addition, she has conducted work in plant biotechnology, phytoremediation, and pest genomics.