The Centre for Pathogen Bioinformatics was inaugurated in Bern

The Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics has inaugurated the Centre for Pathogen Bioinformatics in Bern, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to strengthening genomic surveillance of infectious diseases.

As emerging health threats continue to challenge global systems, the Centre for Pathogen Bioinformatics (CPB) will play a crucial role in managing genetic sequencing data from microbes found in wastewater and clinical samples. The center’s efforts will enable the real-time tracking of epidemic potential, improve understanding of pathogen biology, and ensure sustainable data management for both researchers and policymakers.

“The creation of the CPB responds to an urgent need to reinforce global capacities in combating emerging health threats,” said Aitana Neves, Director of the CPB. “Through innovation and collaboration, we are equipped to tackle these critical challenges head-on.”

The CPB’s key objectives include:

• Enhancing epidemic surveillance by developing and maintaining real-time data management and analysis tools, such as the Swiss Pathogen Surveillance Platform, Nextstrain, and CoVariants.
• Bringing together expertise by coordinating national capabilities in pathogen sequencing, data management, and bioinformatics.
• Supporting health authorities by providing essential insights to Swiss and international public health institutions.

Led by Aitana Neves, an expert in clinical bioinformatics, the CPB is supported by a distinguished steering committee that includes leading researchers such as Niko Beerenwinkel, Emma Hodcroft, Richard Neher, and Tanja Stadler. These experts will guide the center’s strategic direction and foster national and international collaborations.

A key player in global bioinformatics

The inauguration, held in Bern on 23 January 2025, brought together key figures in public health, including representatives from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health and the World Health Organization, alongside experts in bioinformatics and microbiology. The event highlighted Switzerland’s investment in high-tech infrastructure to protect against future epidemics, both nationally and globally.

As a leading national organization in biological and biomedical data science, the Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (SIB) plays a vital role in accelerating discoveries across health and environmental sciences. The CPB reinforces Switzerland’s position at the forefront of pathogen bioinformatics, ensuring preparedness for emerging infectious diseases through data-driven solutions.