The theme is a “spin-off” from the Pandemics and Alertness the thematic collaboration initiative at Lund University, with a deeper focus on advancing understaning of viruses and strengthening crisis preparedness. The themes want to achieve an increased use of and collaboration with X-ray and neutron sources like the MAX IV laboratory and in the future the European Spallation Source in virology reserach.
Wolfgang Knecht, Senior lecturer and Director at the Lund University research infrastructure Lund Protein Production Platform, is the theme leader. The remaining so far 39 theme members represents a broad spectum of researchers in virology and from research infrastructures, locally, nationally and internationally.
What is the objective of the LINXS theme, PandA? What inspired the initiative?
PandA at LINXS is an initiative to understand and fight viruses, and to increase preparedness ahead of new virus pandemics by increasing the use of X-ray and neutron sources by virologists. The overarching objective is to facilitate cooperation between virologists and other scientists active in the field of virology, who have a key interest in understanding and combatting large virus outbreaks and pandemics and scientists using neutrons, X-rays and other complementary methods. We expect that increasing technology awareness and competence among virologists towards the use of X-ray and neutron facilities is an important step towards pandemic preparedness and utilization of such infrastructures in the event of a crisis.
What outcomes to you hope to achieve?
Besides the points already mentioned above, we aim to prepare a “handbook” of options on how to integrate X-ray and neutron sources in a rapid pandemic response.
How might this development affect future efforts to prepare for pandemics?
It breaks silos as it will be a forum where those people will meet, interact and start to know each other (and their science). If individuals are familiar with each other and their respective areas of expertise, we believe that contact pathways//communication channels will be established, making collaboration become easier to initiate and mobilize.
What will be your next step?
We will have a kick-off meeting for the theme members on the 6th March 2026 at LINXS in Lund, when the theme will first time bring all members together and the three work packages will start to plan their activities. The three work packages are:
1. Understanding the virus
2. Fighting the virus
3. Complementary and enabling techniques
In the autumn we plan together with the Lund University Virus Centre a scientific symposium around virology and its use of research infrastructures.
We will also do as soon as possible outreach activities like this interview or an oral presentation of the theme at the 22nd Nordic Workshop on Scattering from Soft Matter on January 14–15, 2026.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The theme consists of a core group and its three work packages; however, the network is open and welcomes new members who has an interest in these areas.
Contact: wolfgang [dot] knecht [at] biol [dot] lu [dot] se (wolfgang[dot]knecht[at]biol[dot]lu[dot]se)
https://www.linxs.se/news/2025/10/26/four-new-themes-to-start-at-linxs-in-january-2026