Integrating virology, artificial intelligence and biophotonics for innovative antiviral strategies against emerging flaviviruses

Emerging viral diseases pose a growing threat to global health. Orthoflaviviruses, including dengue, West Nile, and Zika viruses, are of particular concern due to their significant disease burden, complex transmission dynamics and lack of effective interventions. A combination of multiple global changes has already led to increased dengue and West Nile fever incidence in Europe, highlighting the urgent need for innovative approaches to combat these emerging health threats. VIBES responds to this need with unique interdisciplinary consortium that brings together the rapidly evolving fields of virology, biophotonics, bioinformatics and artificial intelligence, to develop advanced tools and approaches for characterizing host-pathogen interactions and identifying novel antiviral strategies. International partners (including 6 non-academic) from eight countries unite to foster sustainable academic and industrial collaboration. VIBES will train fourteen doctoral candidates (DCs) in interdisciplinary research aimed at unraveling viral molecular pathomechanisms, identifying and validating new antiviral targets and drugs, and developing innovative bioinformatic tools and powerful biophotonic methods. Each DC will gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge biophotonics, bioinformatics and virology, leveraging complementary tools to drive the project's scientific objectives. Individual projects will encompass molecular characterization, target discovery and drug development, in vitro and in vivo validation, and development of cutting-edge antiviral technologies. The network emphasizes high-quality training, career development, and interdisciplinary supervision, equipping the next generation of scientists with the skills to address pressing global health challenges. By bridging academic and industrial expertise in a highly trans-disciplinary approach, VIBES strengthens Europe's research and innovation capacity, paving the way for impactful solutions to emerging viral threats.