ABOUT
Viruses represent a major and growing public health threat. Recent years have seen several examples of viruses crossing the species barrier and causing rapid transmission in human populations, and it is reasonable to expect that future outbreaks and pandemics will occur. Preparing for these events requires mobilizing all available scientific tools and building collaboration across disciplines well in advance.
With this Theme, we aim to strengthen the connection between virologists and scientists working with X-ray and neutron techniques, fostering awareness of what large-scale infrastructures such as MAX IV and ESS can offer in the context of virology and pandemic response. Our goals are to build lasting cross-disciplinary collaborations, to increase technology awareness among virologists, and to develop practical frameworks for how X-ray and neutron methods can be rapidly deployed in a future pandemic situation.
Across all of these aims, we are committed to building structures and partnerships whose impact extends well beyond the duration of this Theme, contributing to a stronger and more prepared scientific community.
HAPPENING IN THEME
How can X-rays and neutrons strengthen pandemic preparedness and response? Join us for the theme kick-off on 6 March, 2026!
CORE GROUP
WORKING GROUPS FOR PandA
WorkING Group 1
Understanding the virus
Working Group 1 focuses on deepening our understanding of virus structure, transmission, and pathogenesis, and on exploring how synchrotron and neutron-based methods can contribute to this knowledge. With a strong foundation at the Institute of Virology in Marburg, the group also aims to strengthen collaboration between Swedish and German virology communities and facilitate their future use of large-scale X-ray and neutron facilities. Visiting fellows from Marburg will contribute to focused research activities at LINXS, connecting one of the world's leading virology institutes with the Swedish research infrastructure.
WORKING GROUP 2
Fighting the virus
Working Group 2 focuses on advancing the development of antiviral drugs and pandemic prevention strategies using X-ray and neutron techniques. The group covers all three broad areas of medical pandemic management: small molecule drugs, biopharmaceuticals, and vaccines, and brings together participants from academia, industry, and the public sector.
WORKING GROUP 3
Complementary and enabling techniques
Working Group 3 focuses on enabling virologists to prepare suitable starting materials for experiments and to analyze and integrate the resulting data. This includes enabling techniques such as deuteration for neutron contrast experiments and the production of protein reagents, as well as integration with complementary methods including cryo-EM, NMR, proteomics mass spectrometry, bioinformatics, and AI. The group features strong engagement from the SciLifeLab infrastructure community and the national research infrastructures PPS and BioMS.