Sequence ≠ Function
Proteins can differentiate strains or species that are genetically similar but behave differently in pathogenicity, host interaction, or response to intervention.
www.be-protect.be
BE-PROTECT: Belgian e-platform for Protein-based Refinement and Optimized Threat Evaluation using Computational AI-driven Technology
BE-PROTECT translates genome-level information into protein-level intelligence so bioagents can be characterized functionally, mapped against host-pathogen interactions, and linked to practical biodefence responses.
The Challenge
Genomics Alone Is Insufficient
Current detection typically starts at the DNA level, which limits interpretation. Similar genomes can hide very different behaviour, while proteins can reveal likely molecular modes of action, host-pathogen interactions, and avenues for countermeasures.
Novel Threats Lack References
Natural outbreaks and deliberate releases can involve unknown or (re)emerging agents that are difficult to resolve with existing genomic reference sets alone.
Flexible Regions Matter
Many pathogen mechanisms rely on non-folding, flexible protein regions that are often ignored even though they can drive infection and interference with host cells.
Why Proteins?
Proteins Are the Functional Layer of Defence Intelligence
BE-PROTECT focuses on proteins because they are the molecules targeted by bioagents and the molecules bioagents use to act on their hosts. That makes protein analysis essential for assessing threats and formulating responses.
The platform supports both public health and military biodefence use cases by improving detection, interpretation, and follow-up action at the molecular level. In practice, this means shifting the emphasis from sequence alone to the protein-level events that actually govern pathogenicity, host manipulation, and countermeasure design.
Interpretation
Protein-level signals reveal what sequence matching misses.
Response
Follow-up action becomes more precise when biology is read functionally.
Dual-use
The same pipeline supports public health and biodefence use cases.
BE-PROTECT is designed as a dual-use computational pipeline with secure and public-facing components, supporting biosensing, drug repurposing, mini-binder design, and operational biodefence follow-up. It is built to prioritize unknown and emerging threats without losing sight of practical response pathways.
Programme Context
Built for Defence, Open to Collaboration
BE-PROTECT sits within DEFRA Theme 5: Biotechnologies and Human Enhancement/Augmentation (BHEA), with emphasis on proteins, molecular host-pathogen interactions, AI-based protein interpretation and design, biodefence, and dual-use application.
The DEFRA programme is managed through cooperation between the Belgian Science Policy Office (BELSPO) and the Royal Higher Institute for Defence (RHID), and is open to the Belgian scientific community in a triple-helix composition spanning academia, industry, and public research institutions. That structure is what allows the platform to stay scientifically ambitious while remaining operationally relevant.
Assessment
Better protein-level signals for early threat interpretation.
Preparedness
Planning support for outbreaks, deliberate release, and unknown agents.
Readiness
A research pipeline built for national and European collaboration.
The platform strengthens Belgian Defence capabilities by improving assessment, prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery for biological incidents while supporting wider national and European research collaboration.