Bas Oude Munnink

Can you share a little about yourself and your research?

I am an assistant professor at the Erasmus MC in Rotterdam, The Netherlands, where I lead the pathogen genomics group. In my research group, we apply a broad range of sequencing technologies and bioinformatic approaches to monitor the emergence and spread of emerging viruses. In addition, we use metagenomic sequencing and advanced computational tools for the discovery of novel viruses.

How does your research fit into the bigger picture of Durable?

The emergence and spread of viruses do not stop at the border and therefore strong international networks are essential for detecting and characterising emerging viruses in an early stage and sharing information in real time. This involves initial pathogen or variant detection, followed by evolutionary analysis, threat characterization, and the development of evidence‑based intervention strategies.

“DURABLE? An inspiring, interdisciplinary network that enables rapid, well‑coordinated responses to emerging viral disease outbreaks”

What do you expect to accomplish in the upcoming years within your own institute and by being connected to Durable?

I expect and hope to gain a deeper understanding of how pathogens emerge and spread across Europe and globally. This includes respiratory viruses, arboviruses such as West Nile virus, and emerging pathogens including mpox clade IIb and clade Ib. Through DURABLE, we can merge diverse expertise, datasets, and methodologies, which may provide new insights into viral dynamics and outbreak patterns.

What do you expect from Durable in the upcoming near future?

I hope that DURABLE will continue to be an inspiring, interdisciplinary network that enables rapid, well‑coordinated responses to emerging viral disease outbreaks and supports the development of shared tools, protocols, and collaborations.