The Future of Immunological Medicine: Why Immune Responses Differ

Our podcast features two guests described by our podcast host, Dr Jane Barratt as positive disrupters or by themselves jokingly as radical trialists. What’s clear is that something significant is on the horizon: mounting evidence linking acute respiratory infections and non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancers, asthma and COPD all fall into the category of NCDs that can be exacerbated by respiratory infections. In turn, these conditions can exacerbate the viral infections causing flu, COVID and RSV.We know that vaccinating against a respiratory infection reduces the burden of NCD management on health care. But the WHY and HOW remain unclear. What’s needed is research into pathogen-specific mechanisms, clinical meaningful endpoints for prevention and better risk-stratification. Listen to eye-opening findings from the FLUNITY-HD trial and why respiratory infections can be described as systemic stress tests.In a highly informative and engaging conversation, brimming with facts and insights, Marco Goeijenbier (ESWI Board Member, intensivist at Spaarne Gasthuis and Senior Scientist at Erasmus MC) and Tor Biering-Sørensen (cardiologist and Founding Head of the Center for Translational Cardiology in Copenhagen) discuss what we know, and where science still needs to mature in this pioneering field.

Welcome to the ESWI Airborne series Shaping the Future of Respiratory Virus Research A central question explored in this informative episode on immunological medicine is why individuals respond so differently to the same virus, or even the same vaccine. Early career scientists Alina Tscherne, postdoctoral researcher at the Ignaz Semmelweis Institute, Medical University of Vienna, Austria and Valentino D’Onofrio, postdoctoral researcher at the Center for Vaccinology, Ghent University, Belgium expertly explain the key factors that shape diverse immune responses and why maintaining a balanced immune response is so crucial for clinical outcome.Together they share insights into the future of vaccine design arguing that biological diversity and variability should not be seen as confounding factors but instead be embraced as opportunities. The episode also explores some of the major gaps between immunology research and real-world application and reveals what “going to the gym” has in common with getting a flu shot?

Welcome to the ESWI Airborne series Shaping the Future of Respiratory Virus Research Our guests in this fascinating episode are early career scientists active in opposite ends of the infection spectrum  – one scientist is a virus hunter, tracking viruses in urban environments, while the other investigates how viruses invade and attack our most vital organ, the brain. Together they reveal the hidden connections between environmental surveillance and neurological consequence. They explore and discuss the importance of surveillance and pathogenesis and why preparedness depends on both. We learn about neurovirulence and the different ways viruses can enter and damage the brain. Questions pondered include why neurological damage is overlooked in the human population and whether our cities are blind spots for emerging zoonotic diseases. Niko Joel Halwe, Postdoctoral Researcher in virology Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Science Outreach and Pandemic Preparedness, at the Medical University of Vienna, Austria. Lisa Bauer, Assistant Professor in neuroscience and virology at Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Tune in to this extraordinary conversation exploring the important interplay between respiratory viruses and non-communicable diseases like diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Why do people with chronic conditions face higher risks from infections? Could there be such a thing as "long-flu"? What are the long-term effects of viral infections? And why are viruses so tricky? Join our three leading scientists as they unpack the bidirectional connection, clarify this unique opportunity to leverage awareness and the fundamental importance of joining forces across disciplines: Marco Goeijenbier(ESWI Board Member, intensivist at Spaarne Gasthuis and Senior Scientist at Erasmus MC), Tor Biering-Sørensen (cardiologist and Founding Head of the Center for Translational Cardiology in Copenhagen), and Kirsty Short (NHMRC research fellow, University of Queensland). They will explain this pivotal moment to rethink disease prevention, reveal insights from the groundbreaking giga DANFLU trial, and show how the Interdisciplinary Disease Collaboration on Respiratory Infections and NCDs (IDC) is connecting the dots from lab bench to hospital bedside.

Welcome to ESWI Airborne: Shaping the Future of Respiratory Virus Research. In this episode, we speak with two outstanding researchers whose work is shaping the future of influenza and respiratory virus science. This conversation forms part of our three-part series on life as a scientist.Our guests are two recent ESWI Conference prize winners:Dr Kevin Ciminski, recipient of the Claude Hannoun Prize for Best Body of Work.He leads an independent research group at the Institute of Virology, University Medical Center Freiburg in Germany, where he studies virus–host interactions of emerging zoonotic influenza viruses.Dr Marios Koutsakos, awarded the Young Scientist Vaccine Innovation Award.He is a Group Leader at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, Australia, focusing on influenza B viruses, immune imprinting, and developing broader and more durable influenza vaccine strategies.Together, they explore what it means to build a scientific career, define a niche, establish a laboratory and contribute to an international research community. They reflect on the pivotal moments that drew them into virology, the balance between specialised research and big-picture questions, and the skills that have mattered most in their professional growth. They also share lessons learned from mentors and consider where early career scientists can make the greatest impact in the decade ahead.

What are the causes for the steady and at times dramatic decline in vaccine confidence seen since the mid-90’s across certain age-groups and communities? Why has the public discourse changed? And how did the persistent and lingering myth linking vaccines to autism take hold? In this insightful episode, a panel of accomplished experts tackle these pressing questions, offering astute explanations and powerful counter-strategies to combat misinformation and restore trust in vaccines. Join Ted van Essen, TV doctor, GP and ESWI Board Member with many years of experience in public health work as chair of the Dutch Immunisation Foundation; Heidi Larson, Founder and Director of the Vaccine Confidence Project, author of “How vaccine rumours start”, and named one of the 100 most influential women in the world by the BBC in 2021; and, Sue Saville, former Medical Correspondent at Britain’s ITV News, now an independent health communications specialist bringing a wealth of experience as a speaker, writer, trainer and more. 

In this episode, our distinguished experts and coalition partners unwrap and define key intervention strategies for acute respiratory viruses. Building on insights from previous episodes they offer fresh perspectives and bring to light the complexity of prevention, diagnostics and therapy.Our discussion features ESWI Chair Colin Russell, Professor of Applied Evolutionary Biology, at the University of Amsterdam alongside contributions from Catherine Weil-Olivier, Honorary Professor of Paediatrics at Paris-Cité University, France, and Board Member of the Coalition for Life Course Immunisation and Barbara Rath, Pediatrician and Infectious disease Specialist and Co-founder and Chair at Vaccine Safety Initiative.Why is seeking early testing so fundamental? How can translating discourse improve intervention efforts? What does understanding the patient journey entail? And finally, could an annual virus weather report become a reality? Do not miss this episode, where science meets strategy in the fight against respiratory viruses.This episode was made possible from the kind support of Moderna, Viatris and AstraZeneca.

Learn about the fascinating story behind the intriguing Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) and how it was first discovered. Why were parents once asked about contact with birds? How can the recent outbreak in China make a difference? Join an insightful conversation with distinguished guests and leading experts Ab Osterhaus, Member of the ESWI board and Director of the Center of Infection Medicine and Zoonosis Research and Guest-Professor at the University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover, Germany, who first identified the virus together with Bernadette van den Hoogen, Associate Professor at Erasmus Medical Center in Rotterdam, and Ann Falsey, Professor of Medicine, Infectious Diseases, and co-director of the Vaccine Treatment and Evaluation Unit at the University of Rochester School of Medicine.They tease out the subtle differences between HMPV, flu, and RSV, discuss the burden of disease, the role of diagnostics and the importance of fundamental research. Plus, why does public awareness matter and could a name change be on the horizon?This episode was made possible from the kind support of AstraZeneca.

A riveting episode from three unique perspectives on intervention strategies and the ongoing challenges posed by Sars-Cov-2, the virus behind one of the deadliest pandemics in recent history. Featuring a fundamental researcher, a virologist, and a clinician, our speakers engage in a captivating talk on Covid-19. Is it endemic now? What’s new on the diagnostics and therapeutic front? How many annual vaccines can the public reasonably deal with?  Join us for this fascinating conversation that bridges research, clinical practice, and public health to address the evolving landscape of Covid-19 and other respiratory viruses.This episode is supported by Moderna.

Tremendously exciting times and possibly underestimating the enormity of its impact. These are some of the comments we hear when experts share their insights on the recently available RSV vaccines. We are told about the disastrous first attempts of a vaccine 60 years ago and some of the road bumps leading to today’s success. In this episode, join us as we delve into the history, challenges, and triumphs of RSV vaccine development. Our renowned speakers give detailed accounts of the new RSV vaccines, including target population, critical gaps in vaccination for vulnerable groups, national immunisation programmes and the urgency of expanding access to resource poor settings.RSV and the bumpy road towards a vaccine is supported by Moderna.