The Biology of Acute Respiratory Infection GRC is a premier, international scientific conference focused on advancing the frontiers of science through the presentation of cutting-edge and unpublished research, prioritizing time for discussion after each talk and fostering informal interactions among scientists of all career stages. The conference program includes an array of speakers and discussion leaders from institutions and organizations worldwide, concentrating on the latest developments in the field. The conference is five days long and held in a remote location to increase the sense of camaraderie and create scientific communities, with lasting collaborations and friendships. In addition to premier talks, the conference has designated time for poster sessions from individuals of all career stages, and afternoon free time and communal meals allow for informal networking opportunities with leaders in the field.
The focus of 2026 GRC is on big problems facing the field of acute respiratory infections and the ever-evolving interactions between pathogens and host affecting human biology. We will discuss the potential of harnessing artificial intelligence, drug discovery, and host-directed therapies. The program includes topics such as advancing therapies that address widespread antimicrobial resistance, innovative concepts in host directed therapies, inter-kingdom respiratory pathogen evolution, pathogen-mediated disruption of structure and function in the lung, multi-organ axes beyond the lung, novel tools to study host cellular and molecular responses, cell atlases of the mouse and human lung, novel prophylaxis and therapeutics, and the unifying theme of one airway and integrated protection across the entirety of the respiratory tract.