Swedish Research Council special initiative for virus research

Swedish research on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of viral infections is strong and internationally competitive. This also applies for research on how and why infections arise and develop, and research on the identification of targets for new treatments. But there are also knowledge gaps. For example, there is only limited research in Sweden on viruses that constitute pandemic threats, and those that cause common infections. For most viruses we are also lacking antiviral drugs or vaccines capable of reducing the viral burden.

The Swedish Research Council is now mapping ongoing viral research being conducted in Sweden. Later this spring, we will be inviting researchers and other stakeholders to a workshop to jointly identify knowledge gaps and agree on the best priorities to strengthen Swedish research and knowledge in the area.

– The Swedish Research Council is planning to issue a call for research on viral diseases that that we currently lack treatment for, to contribute to the long-term capacity build-up of the research field in Sweden. The results of the workshop will help us to determine the focus of the call,” says Jan-Ingvar Jönsson, Secretary General of the Scientific Council for Medicine and Health at the Swedish Research Council.