The swift and accurate identification of unknown biothreats and the proteins that drive them is still a major challenge in healthcare, biotechnology, and national security. The BE-PROTECT Defence-related Research Action (DEFRA) initiative develops innovative and robust lab- and field-ready approaches to evaluate biothreats as well as proposing proactive countermeasures. BE-PROTECT is powered by a unique multidisciplinary consortium, uniting complementary expertise from the coordinating #VUB #Bio2Byte/#IBSquare's Lab (Prof. Wim Vranken, Dr. Rachid Tahzima, Dr. Tamas Lazar), #PUXANO (Ghent, Dr. Wouter Van Putte, Dr. Jõao Ramos) and Belgian Defence Laboratories (#DLD Bio - Dr. Béatrice Sulka & Dr. Abdul Saré). The consortium integrates advanced AI-based bioinformatics, structural biology, dual-use Defence One Health applied biotechnology, and translational development as well as combining academic excellence, industrial innovation, and defence expertise, with the aim to address urgent national, European, and global challenges.
The #BE-PROTECT consortium leverages AI to create a computational framework that guards against current and future biological threats. By uncovering characteristics of proteins and similarities between them - even within highly flexible and complex proteins - the project enables faster, smarter detection of biothreats, including formulating possible responses. BE-PROTECT does so by connecting genome and proteome information to create real-world impact, supporting rapid threat identification, novel protein tool design, drug repurposing strategies, next-generation therapeutics, and advanced biosensors. Bringing science, innovation, and defence together, the BE-PROTECT consortium shares a vision to deliver practical, science-driven solutions that strengthen frontline countermeasures capacity for Defence while generating meaningful benefits for civilian healthcare, so contributing to a safer, healthier, and more resilient future.
- #BEPROTECT
- #DEFRA
- #DefenceResearch
- #DLD-Bio
- #OneHealth
- #IBSquare