GenEpi-BioTrain - Virtual training 13 - RSV Insights: Genomic Evolution, Treatments, and Public Health Strategies

Topic outline

• RSV Insights: Genomic Evolution, Treatments, and Public Health Strategies (GenEpi-BioTrain — Virtual Training 13)

  RSV Insights: Genomic Evolution, Treatments, and Public Health Strategies (GenEpi-BioTrain — Virtual Training 13)

  ℹ️ Please Note

  You are welcome to explore the available resources and video recordings. Please note that the resources in this course come from the Virtual Training 13 held in December 2024, and certificates are only issued to participants who attended the live webinar sessions.

  
  

  Introduction

  Welcome to the virtual training on "Summary of RSV Insights: Genomic Evolution, Treatments, and Public Health Strategies"!

  The aim of this virtual training is to provide participants with in-depth knowledge of RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus), including its genomic diversity, evolution, available treatments, and emerging vaccine strategies. The focus will be on how genomic data informs public health responses, the impact of RSV on vulnerable populations, and ongoing advancements in treatment and prevention. The training will also explore regulatory frameworks and public health strategies for managing RSV outbreaks.

  Prerequisites

  A stable internet connection is required to access the webinar and practical sessions. Basic knowledge of virology and epidemiology is recommended. Participants should also have familiarity with bioinformatics tools, as practical exercises will involve RSV genomic data analysis.

  • ForumAnnouncements
  • PagePresenters' biography
  • PageVirtual training organisation credits
  • PageLegal terms and conditions
• Learning objectives

  Learning objectives

  Upon completing this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the virology, epidemiology, and clinical impact of RSV on global health.

  • Explain RSV genomic diversity, evolutionary trends, and their implications for public health.

  • Use bioinformatics tools to analyze RSV genomic sequences, variants, and interpret phylogenetic data.

  • Analyze genomic data to better understand RSV transmission patterns and outbreaks.

  • Describe current RSV treatment options and advancements in monoclonal antibodies.

  • Understand the status and challenges in developing RSV vaccines, particularly for vulnerable groups like pregnant women.

  
  
• Agenda

  Agenda
  • 
    

  • PageClick here for a detailed agenda
• Software requirements

  Software requirements

  No specific software installations are required as only online tools will be used, such as:

  • Sequence annotation: https://clades.nextstrain.org
  • Phylogenetic tree inference: https://ngphylogeny.fr/
  • Phylogenetic tree visualization: https://itol.embl.de/
  • Follow-up of epidemics: https://nextstrain.org/
  • Databases (public ones): https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ & https://www.bv-brc.org/
  • Databases (private ones // Account + activation of the EPIRSV tab needed): https://www.gisaid.org/ 
  • Mutation of interest detection: https://rsvsurver.bii.a-star.edu.sg/ 

  
  
• Session 1: Virology, Evolution, and Analysis of Genomic Data (10 December)

  Session 1: Virology, Evolution, and Analysis of Genomic Data (10 December)

  1. Introduction to RSV: Virology, Epidemiology, Global Impact and Pathogenesis (50 min) — Pr. Peter Openshaw (Imperial College, London)

  • RSV Biology and Transmission: Understanding virus structure and life cycle

  • Global Disease Burden: Impact on different populations and seasonal patterns.

  • Early attempts at vaccination, augmentation of disease and immunopathogenesis.
    

  • Q&A (5min)

  
  

  2. Genomic Diversity and Evolution of RSV (40 min) — Frédéric Lemoine and Jérome Bourret (Institut Pasteur, Paris)

  • Genomic Variability: RSV genetic diversity, subtypes, and mutations.

  • Evolutionary Trends: How RSV evolves and implications for public health.

  • Tracking Lineages: Phylogenetic analysis and understanding RSV spread.

  • Q&A (5/10min)

  
  

  3. Practical Exercise: Analyzing RSV Genomic Data (1hour) — Dr. Frédéric Lemoine and Dr. Jérome Bourret (Institut Pasteur, Paris)

  A. Bioinformatics Tools for RSV Analysis (20min) 

  • Overview of Tools: Introduction to bioinformatics platforms for RSV analysis (e.g., viral genome databases, sequence alignment tools, visualization tools).

  • Interactive Tool Demo: Live demonstration of a bioinformatics tool for RSV analysis.

  • Q&A

  B. Practical Exercise: Analyzing RSV Genomic Data (40min) 

  • Hands-On Exercise: Participants will use online tools to analyze RSV genomic sequences.

  • Task: Identify genetic variants, construct phylogenetic trees, and interpret results.

  • BREAK (30 min)

  • Correction

  • 1. Opening session

  • 2. Introduction of participants

  • 3. Introduction to RSV: Virology, Epidemiology, Global Impact and Pathogenesis 

  • 4. Q&A

  • 5. Genomic Diversity and Evolution of RSV

     

  • 6. Q&A

  • 7. Bioinformatics Tools for RSV Analysis

  • 8. Q&A

  • 9. Exercise

  • 10. Correction of the exercises

  • 11. Concluding Remarks

  • Lectures

  • FolderLectures
  • Practical

    Here, you will find the guidelines and datasets to be used in Session 1. Please download both in advance to have them ready for the exercises.
    A demonstration of the online tools and the corrections of the exercises will be provided during Session 1.

  • FileGuidelines
  • FolderDatasets
  • Additional resources

  • PageRSV Gene Duplications articles
  • PageIdentification of duplication events
• Session 2: Surveillance, Treatment, and Vaccine Strategies (13 december)

  Session 2: Surveillance, Treatment, and Vaccine Strategies (13 december)

  1. RSV Treatment and Vaccine Development (50 min) — Marie-Anne Rameix Welti (Institut Pasteur, Paris)

  • Vaccination (pregnant women and elderly) and monoclonal antibodies: status, challenges in development, and recent advancements.

  • Antiviral treatments: development and challenges

  • Case Study: “Genotypic and phenotypic characterisation of respiratory syncytial virus after nirsevimab breakthrough infections: a large, multicentre, observational, real-world study”.

  • Q&A (5min)

  
  

  2. RSV Surveillance (35 min) — Dr. Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti (Institut Pasteur, Paris) and Dr. Nick Bundle (ECDC, Sweden)

  • Overview of the National Reference Center for RSV in France — 15min (Dr. Marie-Anne Rameix-Welti)

  • Overview of RSV monitoring and data collection methods in EU — 15min (Dr. Nick Bundle)

  • Q&A (5min)

  
  

  3. RSV Surveillance, Immunisation and Public Health Policy (35min) — Dr. Lisa Domegan (HPSC Ireland)

  • Overview of RSV monitoring and data collection methods in Ireland

  • How genomic and epidemiological data are integrated for public health responses

  • Implementation of Public Health measures, (e.g. vaccination or mAb administration).

  • Q&A (5min)

  
  

  • 1. Opening

  • 2. RSV treatment and vaccine development

  • 3. RSV surveillance 

  • 4. RSV surveillance, immunisation and public health policy

  • Lectures

  • FolderLectures
• Contacts

  Contacts

  For any questions regarding the this webinar series, please use the discussion forum.

  If you have questions regarding other training initiatives please contact: courses@ecdc.europa.eu.

  If you have technical issues please contact the ECDC Service Desk at servicedesk@ecdc.europa.eu.