The 9th Molecular Virology Meeting (MVM 2026) wrapped up at BRIC–National Institute of Immunology (BRIC–NII) in New Delhi on 18 September 2026, bringing around 200 clinicians, researchers and students from across India together for two days of discussions on viral biology and the path from laboratory discovery to vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics and public-health capabilities.
The meeting was hosted by BRIC–NII with support from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) and the Regional Centre for Biotechnology (RCB). First held in 2009, the Molecular Virology Meeting has since grown into an annual forum spanning molecular mechanisms of viral infection and host–virus interactions, viral pathogenesis, immunity, evolution and immune evasion, epidemiology, clinical virology and translational research.
The 2026 programme opened with a keynote by Dr. Naveen Kumar, Director of ICMR–National Institute of Virology, Pune, titled "Flip the Switch: Host Factors That Block or Boost Viruses." Seven scientific sessions covered a broad range of viral systems — including influenza, dengue, chikungunya, HIV, hepatitis E, West Nile virus, coronaviruses and respiratory syncytial virus — alongside spotlight talks, poster presentations and an award ceremony.
A dedicated session on Translational Virology featured work on antiviral therapeutics, antibody discovery and theranostics, as well as studies on viral evolution and epidemiology. The meeting's most explicitly forward-looking segment was a panel discussion titled "Future of Virology Research and its Contribution in BioE3 Policy: Advancing Towards Viksit Bharat," moderated by Dr. Nimesh Gupta of BRIC–NII. Panellists included Dr Naveen Kumar (ICMR-NIV), Prof Saumitra Das (IISc), Dr Sudhanshu Vrati (RCB), Prof Sanjeev Galande (Shiv Nadar University), and Dr Subeer Mazumdar (Sun Pharma Science Foundation). They examined the need for clearer pathways from discovery to scaled products, platform technologies for vaccines and diagnostics, funding mechanisms that support translation beyond individual projects, stronger academia–industry–government partnerships, and capabilities for viral disease surveillance and health security.
The panel concluded that virology has a substantially larger role to play in the Viksit Bharat vision. PhD Scholar Bhavya Ahuja of BRIC–NII, reflecting on her experience as both attendee and organiser, said: "As a student, being part of MVM 2026 was a valuable learning experience. It was inspiring to hear leading virologists discuss diverse areas of virus biology and also gave us an opportunity to interact with researchers from across the country. Being involved in organising the meeting made the experience even more meaningful, as we got to see first-hand how scientific ideas, discussions and collaborations come together to create a vibrant research community."
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