Outbreaks of infectious diseases are increasing due to multiple local and global interaction changes disrupting the fragile balance of the complex human-animal-environment ecosystem. The increased frequency and complexity of health threats require a different, unified form of preparedness and a coordinated, fast, reliable and effective emergency response. 

DURABLE is a tailored solution to this recognised need - a strong network of world-class research institutes and European public health centres with an outstanding track record in public health support with global reach. DURABLE will coordinate a global collaboration, from pathogen detection, evolutionary analysis and threat characterisation, in a One Health approach to data and information collection and sharing, for optimal threat response. DURABLE will run for two years until 2026.

Goals 

The goal of the DURABLE project is to build capacity for horizon scanning, pathogen tracking and discovery, characterisation of new pathogens, and development of diagnostics or other countermeasures. Ultimately, DURABLE will be a one-stop shop for diagnostics, research, preparedness and response to current and future health threats for the benefit of citizens in the EU and worldwide. 

Consortium

The DURABLE project consortium consists of 20 institutes from 15 countries.

RIVM role

RIVM is the lead institute for other laboratory networks within the EU, including the Emerging Viral Diseases Expert Laboratory Network (EVD-LabNet) funded by ECDC and, therefore, not only the scientific expertise but also the communication and organisation expertise necessary to support this large consortium. RIVM will be contributing to almost all of the work packages (WP) within this programme, but specifically will be co-leading WP9 “Validation and deployment of novel diagnostics”. Dr Doctor (Doctor ) Chantal Reusken is a work package co-leader. She also coordinates the project at RIVM, as more RIVM staff members from the Centre for Infectious Diseases Research, Diagnostics and Laboratory Surveillance are involved.

Funding

This project has received funding from the European Union’s EU4Health programme 2021-2027 – a vision for a healthier European Union, call EU4H-2021-PJ4