Advancing Forward-looking Research to Tackle the Major Challenges of Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases

Since the beginning of the 21^st century, global climate change has intensified, and the frequency of human and goods exchange has increased significantly. This closer interaction between humans and nature has heightened the challenges posed by the global spread of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, which now pose serious threats to human health, and socio-economic development. In response to these critical national security concerns and to protect public health, it is essential to proactively advance basic research and technological innovation. Guiding scientists in conducting fundamental and farsighted basic and applied basic research on emerging infectious diseases has become an urgent priority. This article reviews the current status of research in China across five key areas: (1) Discovery and identification of animal-borne or zoonotic pathogens, (2) Development of novel detection techniques for emerging pathogens, (3) Structure analysis and structure-based drug design of typical pathogens, (4) Research on pathogenicity and immunogenicity of major pathogens, (5) Analysis of the mutation, genetic evolution and cross-species transmission of major pathogens. Furthermore, the article points out the gaps in current infectious disease prevention efforts and proposes areas that require urgent improvement. By addressing these challenges, this work aims to provide scientific support for building a robust, multi-dimensional platform for national science and technology, to proffer for enhancing epidemic prevention and control measures, as well as public health research in China, and to contribute to the successful implementation of national security and scientific development strategies.