During ECCB 2026

Eneida Hatcher, SIB Swiss Institute of Bioinformatics (Switzerland) and Jason Williams, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (USA)

Full day event

Join us for a conversation aiming to understand the current workflows for pathogen data sharing, identifying gaps, and developing practical solutions to strengthen national and international preparedness. The Open Community Forum (OCF), hosted in partnership with the Pathogen Data Network (PDN), brings together people who generate, manage, analyze, share, and use pathogen data to identify challenges, exchange ideas, and strengthen connections with each other and the NIAID Bioinformatics Resource Centers (BRCs).

This free event does not require ECCB registration however we do ask that you use the link below to register. In the morning, we’ll run a unique Outbreak Tabletop Exercise: Researchers, clinicians, platform developers, data providers, educators, public officials, and other stakeholders are invited to participate in interactive fictional outbreak scenarios to identify bottlenecks, communication gaps, unmet data needs, and opportunities to improve how pathogen data are shared and used during an outbreak.

This is an experiment in community engagement and problem solving – not a test of participants or organizations. What we learn will help refine future exercises and ultimately strengthen how pathogen data resources serve their communities.

In the afternoon, stay for an Open Collaboration Forum with representatives of PDN and the other NIAID Bioinformatics Resource Centers which are actively developing novel methods for analyzing and sharing infectious disease information. Meet resource teams, learn more about the BRCs, share your own work, and explore opportunities for collaboration.

Free event | Lunch and refreshments included | Registration required

RSVP: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JSF8H8K

Stay informed

This event is co-hosted by PDN members from Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Georgetown University, and SIB