MI2025 – George Gao

Title:
X Diseases – Challenges and Prevention Strategy

Abstract:
The emergence of “Disease X,” a potential future pandemic caused by an unknown pathogen, represents a significant threat to global public health. The list of priority pathogens released by the World Health Organization (WHO) has also raised questions about the existing monitoring system: Are our monitoring and response systems fully prepared to face these challenges? Currently, the prediction and early warning difficulties brought about by pathogen mutations and cross-species transmission are numerous. To address these challenges, a proactive and multifaceted prevention strategy is essential. Central to this strategy is the accelerated development of vaccines leveraging novel platforms, such as mRNA, AI-driven recombinant protein, and vector-based technologies, which enable rapid design and scalability. Additionally, researches on T-cell-mediated immunity is critical for understanding long-term protection and cross-reactive responses against diverse viral families. T-cell studies not only inform the design of broad-spectrum vaccines but also offer insights into sustaining immunity beyond neutralizing antibodies. Integrating these approaches with robust surveillance, international collaboration, and agile manufacturing capacities will enhance global resilience against Disease X. Ultimately, a strategy that combines vaccine innovation with advanced immunology research is vital to mitigating the impact of future pandemics.

Biography:
Dr. Gao is a distinguished virologist and public health leader who earned his doctorate from the University of Oxford and conducted postdoctoral research at Oxford, Harvard, and the University of Calgary. He previously served as director-general of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (China CDC) and vice-president of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC). Currently, he is a professor at the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and China CDC.

A pioneer in virology and immunology, Dr. Gao has made groundbreaking contributions to understanding the interspecies transmission of influenza and coronaviruses. His research has significantly advanced the control of emerging infectious diseases, with high-impact publications in Nature, Science, Cell, The Lancet, and The New England Journal of Medicine (H-index: 142). During the COVID-19 pandemic, he co-discovered SARS-CoV-2 and led the development of the world’s first approved neutralizing antibody therapy (Etesevimab) and recombinant protein vaccine (ZF2001). An elected member of multiple academies—including the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and UK Royal Society—he has received honors such as the TWAS Award, Nikkei Asia Prize, and Gamaleya Medal. Dr. Gao also champions science communication as editor-in-chief of Science Bulletin and Chinese Science Bulletin (In Chinese), and founding editor of China CDC Weekly and hLife.