Context

Emerging infectious diseases are a major threat to global health and economies, as clearly demonstrated by the COVID-19 pandemic. New viruses with the potential to cause widespread outbreaks, sometimes referred to as “Disease X,” are likely to emerge in the future. Preparing for these future pandemics is a critical priority for global organizations like the UN, WHO, and G20, as well as for national governments. 

Vulnerable health systems, dense populations with close human-animals interactions, rapid urbanization and economic development, and stark health inequalities render Southeast Asia a hotspot for outbreaks of new and existing infectious pathogens, in particular zoonotic viruses. Yet, the region represents a weakness in pandemic preparedness and response. 

The Challenge

Detecting when a virus “spills over” from animals to humans early on is essential. This early detection allows for a coordinated global response, including the rapid creation and distribution of effective tools like diagnostic tests, treatments, and vaccines. These measures can prevent future pandemics or lessen their impact on public health and society. 

Current surveillance methods often rely on identifying clinical cases in healthcare settings, sometimes supplemented by genomic sequencing. However, these methods often miss early cases or those with mild or no symptoms. While analyzing antibodies and T-cells (immune cells) could be helpful, current methods are often too slow and technically challenging to be used for widespread surveillance of zoonotic viruses. 

Aims

This project aims to overcome these challenges by: 

• Developing innovative, high-throughput immunological tools for viral families with epidemic/pandemic potential. 

• Applying these tools to map the immune landscape against zoonotic viruses with pandemic potential in high-risk populations in Cambodia and Vietnam. 

• Evaluating the utility of these new immunological tools as part of broader surveillance strategies and estimate their potential to improve the early detection of spillover events. 
• Discovering potent and broadly neutralizing antibodies against zoonotic viruses causing spillover.

This project will: 

• Strengthen research capabilities in immunology, metagenomics, mathematical modeling, and antibody discovery in Cambodia and Vietnam. 

• Establish a strong collaborative network across the region, linking local expertise with international experts in the UK and Singapore.

Ultimately, these efforts will lay the groundwork for locally-led responses to future emerging infectious diseases, making Southeast Asia and the world better prepared for future pandemics.