DE
Pandemic Preparedness Symposium 2025
Hamburg, June 18, 2025 — With over 120 participants, the CRC1648 successfully hosted its First Pandemic Preparedness Symposium at the Ian K. Karan Lecture Hall of the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). Under the theme “Breaking Barriers in Virology and Immunity by Learning from Emerging Viruses,” the event brought together leading scientists, clinicians, and public health experts to share research insights and discuss strategies for future pandemic preparedness.
The symposium was opened by Prof. Dr. Blanche Schwappach, Dean of the UKE Medical Faculty, who welcomed guests and emphasized the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Prof. Dr. Marylyn Addo, spokesperson of CRC1648, introduced the Collaborative Research Center and its mission to better understand emerging viruses and host responses in order to develop novel interventions.
The program featured six keynote lectures and three thematic sessions focusing on virus structure, pathogenesis, immunity, and global preparedness.
The full agenda is available for download
Session 1: Virus Structure and Pathogenesis
The first keynote of the day was delivered by
In the following talk, Dr. Jan Hellert, researcher in CRC1648’s
Dr. Thomas Hoenen, co-lead of
Completing the first session, Prof. Maura Dandri, co-lead of
Session 2: Poxviruses, Hemorrhagic Fevers, and Viral Evolution
The second keynote was delivered by
PD Dr. Susanne Krasemann, head of the Research Group
Dr. Lisa Oestereich, lead of Project
The session concluded with a keynote lecture by
Session 3: Host Response, Systems Biology, and Global Preparedness
Prof. Dr. Nicole Fischer, founding director of the
The next keynote lecture was given by
The symposium concluded with a keynote lecture by
Prof. Dr. Maya Topf, co-spokesperson of CRC1648, closed the day by reflecting on the broad range of topics covered: "What today’s symposium made clear is that no single discipline or institution can tackle the challenge of emerging viruses alone. Pandemic preparedness depends on collaboration—across countries, methods, and fields of expertise."
The event concluded with a lively poster session and networking reception, fostering new connections between early-career scientists and senior experts.
Group picture Pandemic Preparedness Symposium 2025
Networking and poster session at the Pandemic Preparedness Symposium 2025