Innovating to protect biodiversity and prevent future pandemics

In Guinea, a country with rich biodiversity and frequent human-wildlife interactions, understanding zoonotic disease emergence is crucial for pandemic preparedness. BCOMING has been actively involved in disease surveillance, and Dr. Djiba KABA from the Centre de Recherche et de Formation en Infectiologie de Guinée (CERFIG) has played a crucial role in coordinating these efforts. In this interview, he shares insights into fieldwork, community engagement, and scientific advancements in zoonotic disease research.

In today's interview, we speak with Pauline Van Leeuwen, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Liège, about her work on microbiome profiling within BCOMING. Pauline’s research focuses on understanding how microbial communities in wildlife, particularly bats and rodents, influence disease emergence. She shares insights into her analysis of microbiome diversity, the significance of studying Rhinolophus bats, and the potential implications of her findings for biodiversity, public health, and environmental policies. Join us as we explore the critical role of microbiomes in shaping disease dynamics.

In our latest interview with Professor Rodolphe (Rudy) Gozlan, Director of Research and Professor in Conservation Ecology at the Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), he shared with us some fascinating insights about IRD's work in the BCOMING project. The conversation centred on how their work is helping to identify the links between biodiversity and disease risk, with a particular focus on Cambodia, as well as other regions such as Guinea, Ivory Coast, and Guadeloupe.