Dear Colleagues,
RNA interference (RNAi) is a conserved regulatory mechanism found in most eukaryotic cells. RNA molecules are used as triggers in this process to direct homology-dependent control of gene expression through translational or transcriptional repression. Recent advances in our understanding of RNAi- mechanisms has stimulated basic and applied research and led to applications of this regulatory mechanism to improve plant characteristics and control insect/pathogenic agents. RNAs that trigger the RNAi response can be applied to the plant as a sprayable molecule (SIGS), by viral delivery (VIGS), or in a plant-incorporated approach (HIGS).
Authors are welcome to submit original research and review articles describing the application of small interfering RNAs to improve plant characteristics, or as insecticidal/fungicidal RNA molecules. These agents can be applied externally or can be host-induced in plants. Of particular interest are manuscripts that provide novel insights into functional regulation of plants after sRNA/dsRNA application (e.g. epigenetic and physiological changes), or that describe innovative approaches to the technical optimization of RNAi technology (e.g. formulates and nano-carriers).
Prof. Kristof De Schutter, Francesca Negrini and Zeraye Mehari Haile
Guest Editors
Manuscripts should be submitted via our online editorial system at https://imr.propub.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to start your submission. Manuscripts can be submitted now or up until the deadline. All papers will go through peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the journal (as soon as accepted) and meanwhile listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, reviews as well as short communications are preferred. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office to announce on this website.
Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts will be thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. Please visit the Instruction for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) in this open access journal is 2500 USD. Submitted manuscripts should be well formatted in good English.