The fifth Interdisciplinary Symposium on Bioinformatics and Infectious Diseases was held in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, from Nov 22 to 23.

Led by the Academic Subgroup of Biomedical Information of the Biophysical Society of China (BSC), the event was jointly organized by the School of Public Health (Shenzhen) of Sun Yat-sen University, the Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Pathogenic Microbes and Biosafety, the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the Shenzhen Center for Disease Control and Prevention and several other academic organizations.

It brought together more than 70 leading experts and scholars from across the country and attracted over 200 participants in total. Attendees explored the latest developments and future directions of interdisciplinary research on bioinformation and infectious diseases.

This year’s symposium featured four major thematic sessions covering infection, immunity and vaccines; pathogen variation and molecular evolution; disease control and pathogen surveillance; as well as epidemic transmission and predictive simulation.

The symposium includes a roundtable discussion under the theme “Applying Bioinformation and Artificial Intelligence to Infectious Disease Prevention and Control”. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC]

In addition, a roundtable discussion was held under the theme “Applying Bioinformation and Artificial Intelligence to Infectious Disease Prevention and Control”. During the discussion, experts exchanged views on pathogen evolution, disease control strategies, pathogen spectrum surveillance and computational model development. They analyzed the application scenarios, key challenges and feasible solutions related to the use of bioinformatics and AI in infectious disease prevention and control, while also offering forward-looking perspectives on future trends.

Participants emphasized the need to strengthen efforts in five key areas: data, algorithms, computing power, talent development and application scenarios. They particularly highlighted the importance of building mechanisms for acquiring and sharing high-quality data.

Experts also underscored the value of enhanced communication and collaboration across different sectors to promote coordinated innovation, resource sharing and mutual benefits, thereby improving scientific and technological support for infectious disease prevention and control.

An AI training workshop is held between Nov 20 and 21. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC]

To further help young researchers and public health workers develop skills in AI and big-data analysis, the symposium organized an AI training workshop between Nov 20 and 21, which drew more than 80 participants. The workshop provided systematic instruction on Python fundamentals, statistical learning, antigen prediction, acquisition and integration of multi-source epidemiological data and statistical modeling methods for infectious disease forecasting.

Du Xiangjun, chair of the organizing committee of the symposium and professor at the School of Public Health (Shenzhen) of Sun Yat-sen University, delivers concluding remarks. [Photo/WeChat account: BSC]

At the closing ceremony, Du Xiangjun, chair of the organizing committee of the symposium and professor at the School of Public Health (Shenzhen) of Sun Yat-sen University, delivered a speech. He affirmed the academic significance of the symposium and noted that interdisciplinary integration has become a key driver of innovation in infectious disease studies.

Du emphasized that with the rapid development of information technology and AI, bioinformatics will play an increasingly vital role in pathogen surveillance and early warning, vaccine and drug development and public health decision-making. He called for strengthened collaboration across sectors to jointly contribute to national and global public health security.