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Exploring the Frontiers of Innovation to Tackle Microbial Threats - A Workshop

Completed

The Forum on Microbial Threats held a 1.5-day public workshop that examined the major advancements in scientific, technological, and social innovations that have been taking place to tackle microbial threats, including diagnostics, vaccine development and production, new antimicrobials as well as non-pharmaceutical interventions and surveillance. Particular considerations were given to innovations that occur at the human-animal-plant-environment interface and those that are practical and can be implemented in different resource-level settings.

Description

An ad hoc planning committee under the auspices of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will host a 1.5-day public workshop that will examine the major advancements in scientific, technological, and social innovations that have been taking place to tackle microbial threats, including diagnostics, vaccine development and production, new antimicrobials as well as non-pharmaceutical interventions and surveillance. Particular considerations will be given to innovations that occur at the human-animal-plant-environment interface and those that are practical and can be implemented in different resource-level settings.
Specifically, this workshop will feature invited presentations and discussions on the following topics:

  • Detection and diagnostic tools that empower end-users and patients to take appropriate action including obtaining early treatment;
  • Cutting-edge methods and tools such as advances in predictive modeling, digital platforms, and precision public health, and how to best make use of them in practice;
  • Novel innovations that take into account social and behavioral factors related to microbial threats;
  • Communication and structural strategies that would help demystify the uptake and increase access of effective innovations to facilitate positive behavior change and strengthen preparedness and response capacities;
  • Approaches to leverage data and modeling insights that would be useful for practitioners working on the ground in diverse settings, particularly at the community level;
  • Models and indicators that help reveal the extent to which the innovations are “successful”; and
  • Effective mechanisms for stimulating meaningful collaboration and communication among various stakeholders, including multilateral organizations, national governments, private sector, and civil society.

Workshop speakers and discussants will contribute perspectives from government, academia, private, and nonprofit sectors. The planning committee will plan and organize the workshop, select and invite speakers and discussants, and moderate the discussions. A proceedings of the presentations and discussions at the workshop will be prepared by a designated rapporteur in accordance with institutional guidelines.

Collaborators

Sponsors

Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Department of Defense

Department of Health and Human Services

EcoHealth Alliance

Food and Drug Administration

Infectious Diseases Society of America

Johnson & Johnson

Merck

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

National Institutes of Health

Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences

USAID

Veterans Administration

Staff

Julie Pavlin

Lead

JPavlin@nas.edu

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