The REFINE consortium held its annual General Assembly in Helsinki from 3–4 September 2026, bringing partners together to review progress, discuss scientific updates, and plan the next phase of the project.
The meeting provided an important opportunity to share results from across the work packages and reflect on how the different activities contribute to REFINE’s overall objectives. Discussions focused on virus selection and characterisation, in vitro model development, receptor and entry-pathway studies, clinical relevance, intervention strategies, dissemination and project management.
A key theme of the meeting was the value of in-person collaboration. The discussions helped connect different studies and perspectives into a coherent scientific story and supported alignment for the next phase of the project.
The consortium was also pleased to welcome its new partner joining through the Hop-On scheme: the Bioinformatics Department at The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics. Their expertise will strengthen REFINE’s computational and integrative approaches, including work on virus-host interaction data.
The meeting concluded with a shared focus on priorities for the coming year, including upcoming deliverables, milestones, and continued development of REFINE’s models, tools, and intervention strategies.
Many thanks to all REFINE partners who contributed to the meeting and travelled to Helsinki.
REFINE — Receptor-Focused Interventions Against Orthoflavivirus Neuroinvasion and Entry — is funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under Grant Agreement No. 101191791.
