Dr. Márta Ludman as a molecular plant biologist investigates the role and molecular mechanism of RNA interference pathways in model and economically important crop species. Various stress factors, such as viral infections, have a significant impact on plant growth, development, and can cause considerable damage to crop production. As a result of virus infection, the viability of plants deteriorates: stunted growth, leaf deformation, reduced photosynthetic efficiency, and in extreme cases, partial or complete necrosis are observed. In recent years, significant advances have been made in understanding host virus interactions, which have led to the implementation of a number of highly effective countermeasures in agriculture.