News

International Symposium on Pandemic Preparedness 2025

On June 2–3, 2025, the CoViPa research network hosted the International Symposium on Pandemic Preparedness (ISPP) at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg. The symposium brought together leading scientists, clinicians and early-career researchers from around the world to exchange insights and strategies for preparing for future pandemics. The symposium was the concluding event of the CoViPa research network funded by the Helmholtz Initiative and Networking Fund.

A Focus on Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

Through keynote lectures, scientific sessions, flash talks, and a poster session, participants explored current findings in virology, immunology, data science, and translational medicine. The event fostered critical dialogue across disciplines and highlighted the importance of international cooperation in pandemic response.

Keynote Lectures

Five internationally renowned experts delivered keynote addresses on central topics:

  • Florian Krammer (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai / MedUni Vienna): Broadly protective vaccines as tools for pandemic preparedness
  • Gülsah Gabriel (Leibniz Institute of Virology, Hamburg): Impact of respiratory infections on sex hormone metabolism
  • Marion Koopmans (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam): Risk predicting for future emerging disease outbreaks
  • Leif Erik Sander (Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin): The role of innate immunity in viral control and vaccine responses
  • Andreas Wack (Francis Crick Institute, London): The host response to respiratory viral infection: risks, benefits, and intervention points

Thematic Sessions

The scientific program addressed a broad range of topics:

  • Novel vaccine concepts and immunological responses across populations
  • The role of biological sex and pregnancy in infection outcomes
  • Genomics-based surveillance, viral risk scoring, and real-time detection
  • Immunopathology and regulatory mechanisms in respiratory infections

A particular highlight was the live demonstration of an autonomous laboratory robot by the DLR (German Aerospace Center) team, which performed real-time experimental tasks on-site. The system’s seamless operation and adaptive behavior in a laboratory setting sparked enthusiasm and became a frequent topic of discussion among attendees.

Social event for PrePaRe Members

A special social event on June 1 welcomed the members of the Helmholtz Research School PrePaRe. Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers went on a guided castle tour and for dinner in the old town of Heidelberg. Having started as a cohort with the start of the research network most of the doctoral researchers will finish their PhD thesis soon.

Outlook

The symposium underscored that pandemic preparedness requires proactive, data-driven, and collaborative approaches. The new insights and partnerships formed at ISPP 2025 will continue to shape our research agenda within CoViPa and beyond.

Eine Gruppe von zehn Personen steht in einer langen Reihe vor einer historischen Burg. Im Hintergrund sind die beeindruckende Architektur der Burg und ein bewölkter Himmel zu sehen. Einige Menschen sitzen entspannt auf einer Bank in der Umgebung.

Annual Meeting and Young Researcher Retreat of the CoViPa Research Network 2024

A group photo featuring approximately 40 individuals standing together outdoors, surrounded by greenery. The attendees are diverse in age and gender, wearing casual and semi-formal attire, with some smiling and interacting. This image likely represents a gathering or event related to scientific collaboration.

From September 30 to October 2, 2024, the CoViPa Research Network held its annual conference in the beautiful city of Würzburg, accompanied by an inspiring Young Researcher Retreat. The event placed great emphasis on exchange and the expansion of collaborations both within our network and with external partners.

A highlight of the event was the participation of the three other networks funded under the pandemic research call by the Helmholtz association. CORAERO, LOKI and COCAP presented their projects, contributing to a valuable scientific dialogue focused on pandemic preparedness. This interaction allowed us to gain new perspectives on shared challenges and to identify synergies for future research efforts, aligning with our overarching goal of enhancing readiness for potential pandemics.

The Young Researcher Retreat focused on the crucial topic of effective team communication. Young researchers gained insights into tools and methods that can enhance collaboration and create a productive work environment. The workshop provided space for discussions and practical exercises, which were very well received by participants.

Overall, the meeting was a great success. Participants left Würzburg not only with new ideas and insights but also with strengthened networks and partnerships. We look forward to integrating these valuable impulses into the ongoing work of the CoViPa network, driving us closer to our goal of pandemic preparedness.

Annual COVIPA Retreat 2023 in Heidelberg

A large group of diverse individuals stands together outdoors, smiling and waving. The setting features greenery and potted plants, suggesting a warm, collaborative atmosphere. This gathering likely represents a conference or retreat focused on scientific research, given its context in a professional environment.

The COVIPA Annual Meeting and the PREPARE Young Researcher Retreat 2023 took place in Heidelberg and Leimen. The meeting incorporated a poster presentation session aimed at fostering understanding of each other's projects and receiving input from peers. Social activities and the scientific agenda with projects predominantly presented by doctoral researchers, were also highlights, with prizes awarded for the best presentations.

NEW INFECTION MECHANISM IN CORONAVIRUS DISCOVERED

Researchers from Heidelberg Medical Faculty, Heidelberg University Hospital and German Cancer Research Center investigate molecular relationships that promote infection and spread of SARS- coronavirus-2 / Results provide starting point for development of antiviral therapies

The SARS-coronavirus-2, responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic, triggers a stress response in infected cells that facilitates the virus' entry into the cells. In their search for the underlying molecular mechanism, researchers from the Heidelberg University Medical School and Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD), in collaboration with the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) and the University of Bristol, identified a cellular factor called NUAK2. Its amount is increased by the SARS-CoV-2 mediated cellular stress response and it promotes the entry and spread of the coronavirus in human cells. Thus, NUAK2 could be a new target for the development of antiviral agents.

The research team led by Professor Dr. Dr. h.c. Ralf Bartenschlager, Head of the Division of Molecular Virology at the Center for Infectious Diseases at UKHD and Dr. Vibhu Prasad, Scientist in Molecular Virology has now analyzed the molecular pathways involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection of the cell. The cellular protein NUAK2 plays a central role in this process.

The Heidelberg scientists blocked NUAK2 in the cells and observed reduced infection of cells by SARS-CoV-2 particles. In subsequent studies, the scientists found that NUAK2 regulates the amount of ACE2, the receptor for the virus, on the cell surface. "In addition, our studies showed that increased NUAK2 levels in infected cells increased the number of receptors in uninfected cells as well. As a result, these cells also became more infected with SARS-CoV-2," reports Dr. Vibhu Prasad.

And these correlations could be demonstrated not only with SARS-CoV-2, but also with other coronavirus species such as human coronavirus-229E - a "common cold virus" - and the very dangerous MERS coronavirus, which can be transmitted from camels to humans.

"The research findings provide valuable insights into the intricate mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection and spread. Understanding the role of NUAK2 opens new avenues for therapeutic intervention. By interrupting NUAK2-regulated virus entry, we might be able to prevent the spread of the virus and thereby mitigate the effects of coronavirus infections," says Professor Ralf Bartenschlager.

 Prasad V, Cerikan B, Stahl Y, et al. Enhanced SARS-CoV-2 entry via UPR-dependent AMPK-related kinase NUAK2 [published online ahead of print, 2023 Jun 29]. Mol Cell. 2023;S1097-2765(23)00467-7. doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2023.06.020

Source: https://www.klinikum.uni-heidelberg.de/newsroom/new-infection-mechanism-in-coronavirus-discovered/ 

Form

Form data is loaded ...