In 2013, Professor Vlak was succeeded by the current chair holder, Professor M. Van Oers. Under Van Oers’ leadership, the department has focused, among other things, on how viruses manipulate their host or vector (disseminator, e.g. an insect), thereby increasing their chances of surviving and spreading. The department’s research focuses on plant and insect viruses, as well as insect-borne human and animal viruses. In this way, researchers hope to unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying this kind of behavioural manipulation. Professor van Oers is assisted in her research by, among others, Professor by Special Appointment René van der Vlugt, who is engaged in research and teaching in the field of ecological knowledge of plant viruses in horticulture and agriculture.