Viral Pathogenesis and Immunity: From Molecular Discoveries to Therapeutics

Jun 15–18, 2026 | Herrenhausen Palace, Hannover, Germany
Scientific Organizers: Michaela U. Gack, Michael S. Diamond, Volker Thiel and Pei-Yong Shi

  In Person
  On Demand
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Jun 15–18, 2026 | Herrenhausen Palace, Hannover, Germany
Scientific Organizers: Michaela U. Gack, Michael S. Diamond, Volker Thiel and Pei-Yong Shi

Supported by the  Directors' Fund

***Meeting program subject to change.

Available Formats:   = In Person     = On Demand
Monday, June 15, 2026
Registration
4:00–8:00 PM
Welcome Mixer
6:00–8:00 PM
Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Breakfast
8:00–9:00 AM
Poster Setup
8:30–9:00 AM
Poster Viewing
8:45–5:00 PM
Welcome and Keynote Address
9:00–10:00 AM
Kate A Fitzgerald, University of Massachusetts Medical School
Molecular Mechanisms of Antiviral Innate Immunity and Inflammation
Host-Virus Interactions in Innate Immunity
10:00–12:15 PM
Michaela U. Gack, Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Innate Immune Sensing and Viral Escape Mechanisms
John W. Schoggins, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Evolutionary Forces that Underlie ISG Antiviral Mechanisms
Kellie Ann Jurado, University of Pennsylvania
Fetal Immune Responses and their Influence on Life-Long Health
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Break
10:30–10:50 AM
Lunch
12:15–1:15 PM
Posters
12:30–2:30 PM
Symposia Spotlight 1: Late-breaking research presentations selected from abstract submissions
2:30–4:30 PM
Short Talks Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Species Expansion of (re)Emerging Viruses and Associated Immunity
5:00–7:00 PM
Michael S. Diamond, Washington University School of Medicine
Evolutionary Relationships of Entry Receptors and Arboviral Pathogenesis
Maria-Carla Saleh, Institut Pasteur
RNA Interference and Viral Immunity in Insects
Jonathan Abraham, Harvard University
Entry Factors Determining Alphavirus Infection
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Breakfast
8:00–9:00 AM
Success and Failures of Adaptive Immunity to Acute and Persistent Virus Infections
9:00–12:00 PM
Taia T Wang, Stanford University
Antibody Signaling through Fc gamma Receptors as Key Driver of Infection and Inflammation Outcome
Mustafa Diken †, BioNTech
Immunomodulation Aiding in Viral Therapeutics
Daniela Weiskopf, La Jolla Institute for Immunology
Adaptive Cell-Mediated Immune Responses to Vaccination and Natural RNA Virus Infection
Ted C. Pierson, NIAID, National Institutes of Health
Humoral Immunity to Arboviruses
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Break
10:00–10:20 AM
Poster Setup
11:00–1:00 PM
Lunch
12:00–1:00 PM
Posters
12:30–2:30 PM
Poster Viewing
1:00–10:00 PM
Career Roundtable
3:00–4:30 PM
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
Genetic and Acquired Immune Factors Modulating Viral Susceptibility
5:00–7:00 PM
Shen-Ying Zhang, Rockefeller University
Human Genetic and Immunological Determinants of Viral Encephalitis
Trine Mogensen, Aarhus University Hospital
VZV/herpesvirus and Innate Immunity Defects
Charles Agoti, KEMRI-Wellcome Trust Research Programme
Epidemiological Insights into Mechanisms of Respiratory Virus Reinfections
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Breakfast
8:00–9:00 AM
Novel Approaches of Host-Directed and Immune-based Therapies to Virus Infections
9:00–12:00 PM
Pei-Yong Shi, GSK
Prophylactic and Therapeutic Viral Vaccines
Liang Shan, Washington University in St. Louis
CARD8 Inflammasome Sensitization as Novel Antiviral Therapeutics Approach for HIV
Lisa Purcell, Third Rock Ventures
Monoclonal Antibody Development and Technologies for Acute and Persistent Viral Infections
Gong Cheng, Tsinghua University
Novel Antiviral Approaches to Control Mosquito-Borne Viruses
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Break
10:00–10:20 AM
Lunch
12:00–1:00 PM
Symposia Spotlight 2: Late-breaking research presentations selected from abstract submissions
2:30–4:30 PM
Short Talks Chosen from Abstracts
Coffee Available
4:30–5:00 PM
New Approaches to Optimizing Vaccine-Induced Immunity to Viral Pathogens
5:00–6:45 PM
Volker Thiel, University of Bern
Translating Viruses into Vaccines
Penny L Moore, University of the Witwatersrand and National Institute for Communicable Diseases
Novel Platforms and Technologies for Vaccine Development and Boosting
Annaliesa S. Anderson †, Pfizer, Inc
Successes and Challenges in Recent Viral Vaccines
Short Talk(s) Chosen from Abstracts
Meeting Wrap-Up: Outcomes and Future Directions (Organizers)
6:45–7:00 PM
Social Hour with Dinner
7:00–8:00 PM
Entertainment
8:00–11:00 PM
Cash Bar
8:00–11:00 PM
Friday, June 19, 2026
Departure
12:00–11:59 PM

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