The fourth Interdisciplinary Symposium on Bioinformatics and Infectious Diseases took place in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, from Sept 21 to 22. 

Jointly hosted by the Academic Subgroup of Biomedical Information of the Biophysical Society of China and the Institute of Systems Medicine at the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, the event brought together experts and scholars from across China to discuss the latest advances in and future development of the interdisciplinary field of bioinformatics and infectious diseases.

Participants pose for a group photo at the fourth Interdisciplinary Symposium on Bioinformatics and Infectious Diseases, which was held in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, from Sept 21 to 22, 2024. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

The symposium featured thematic discussions on the transmission and immune escape of pathogens such as influenza viruses, pathogen diversity and molecular evolution, pathogen-host interactions and data-driven research on infectious diseases. 

Experts and scholars delved into the transmission patterns of major pathogens, antigenic variation prediction, cross-species infections, host immune evasion and vaccine responses. 

The latest research achievements in studies on the evolution, transmission mechanisms and diversity of viruses, as well as the early warning of emerging infectious diseases were presented. 

The talks also provided new perspectives on respiratory virus infections, mycobacterium tuberculosis transmissions and arboviral infections, and underscored computer-aided drug design, the construction of the China National Center for Bioinformation, single-cell omics research and AI applications in virology research.

Wang Jianwei, vice-president of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, delivers a closing speech at the fourth Interdisciplinary Symposium on Bioinformatics and Infectious Diseases in Suzhou, Jiangsu province, on Sept 22, 2024. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC] 

The symposium concluded with closing remarks from Wang Jianwei, vice-president of Peking Union Medical College Hospital, who said that the event provided innovative perspectives for infectious disease control and highlighted the importance of ongoing collaboration. 

He also called on participants to contribute to national infectious disease prevention and global public health security.