Virologists and bioinformaticians all around Europe are going tackle many fundamental question in virology. For example, how can we capture the full diversity of virus families in different hosts and environments? How do viruses evolve and how important is recombination in viral evolution? Is there a single common viral origin or do we find clearly independent origins? How can we identify the dynamic gene pool carried by viruses in various ecosystems? Many other questions will help us to find the best strategies to control and treat viral diseases but also to understand the role of viruses in different ecosystems.
Within the next year the center will start to develop specific bioinformatic tools, take its first steps to establish a virus-specific database, apply for funding programs at national and international scales, and help to establish joint research projects. Finally, the EVBC will initiate and coordinate ring trials, undergraduate courses, graduate summer schools and courses for principal investigators.
