COMBAT - Virology Next 2026: Pandemic Preparedness and Virus–Host Interactions

​Virology Next 2026: Pandemic Preparedness and Virus–Host Interactions 
From Mechanisms to Translation

​Campus Flemingsberg, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden 
1–2 October 2026

​Save the date for ‘Virology Next 2026’ an international conference bringing together leading researchers in virology, immunology, emerging infectious diseases, antiviral and vaccine development, and pandemic preparedness.

​The meeting will focus on virus–host interactions, immune responses, viral pathogenesis, viral immune evasion, emerging viruses, and translational approaches spanning molecular mechanisms to public health preparedness.

​The conference aims to strengthen interdisciplinary collaborations across academia, healthcare, public health agencies, and industry while highlighting the growing life science ecosystem at Campus Flemingsberg.

​Confirmed keynote and invited speakers include: 
Eric Bergeron, Adolfo García-Sastre, Debby van Riel, Susana Guerra, Nerea Irigoyen, Elena Martinelli, Isabelle Imbert, Asier Sáez-Cirión, Clive M. Gray, Magnus Evander, Jonas Klingström, Leo Hanke, Jayanta Bhattacharya.

​The conference is organized by the Systems Virology Lab, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, in collaboration with Flemingsberg Science Foundation and the EU-COMBAT consortium.

​Registration and abstract submission open on 1 June 2026. Selected abstracts will be considered for short oral presentations and posters.

​More information, scientific program, confirmed speakers, and registration details will be available on the KI event page.