Viruses and us: the evolution of an ecosystem

by Prof. Michael Lässig (University of Cologne)

Thursday 10 Jul 2025, 15:00 → 16:30 Europe/Stockholm

Albano 2: C2207 - Auditorium 4 (80 seats) (Albano Building 2)

Albano Building 2: C2207 - Auditorium 4 

 

zoom link : https://stockholmuniversity.zoom.us/j/67259623527?pwd=bjG5PbKdb4chVtyQsyPS0a3kUTFLYy.1

Meeting ID: 672 5962 3527
 

Fika will be served after the colloquium talk.

 

Abstract: 

Human influenza viruses, as well as SARS-CoV-2, undergo fast evolution to escape adaptive immunity of their hosts. These viruses have become paradigms of evolving host-pathogen ecosystems. Escape evolution opens new ecological niches for the virus, immunity of the host population closes them. Molecular interactions between viral proteins and host immune systems shape the global eco-evolutionary dynamics, providing a basis for mechanistic models. We discuss the challenges of predicting these dynamics and to find the best vaccine against the strains of next winter. 

The colloquium is given as part of the Nordita Program “Eco-Evolutionary Processes in Context: a Statistical Physics Approach”