Building an interactive network to advance research and education in viral ecology and evolution
Ever wondered how viruses shape life in the ocean? CONFECT is here to spark curiosity and connect minds!
CONFECT is an RCN-funded INTPART project (2021-2026) designed to boost teaching, outreach, and networking in viral ecology and evolution. It is linked to the exciting research projects SIMPLEX (TMF) and VirVar (RCN) led by Selina Våge and Ruth-Anne Sandaa.
So, what have we been up to?
Symposium 2023: We hosted an engaging conference on viruses at Solstrand (Fig. 1).
Online courses: For the past three years, we have run the following courses:
- Quantitative Methods in Virus Ecology and Evolution
- Introduction to Virology
Upcoming summer school: This August, we are organizing an immersive summer school for PhD and master’s students at the Marine Biological Station (Espegrend).
Science in action: We have teamed up with Warholm Film to create four short, engaging videos about the fascinating world of viruses—stay tuned!
Inspiring the next generation: CONFECT is an active part of the Passion for Ocean summer camp, introducing school children to the hidden world of marine viruses and their crucial role in the oceans (Fig. 2).
Left: School children playing a virus game whereby the fast-growing blue algae were being chased by a virus (arrow) while the slow-growing red algae picked up nutrients. Right: An international symposium in virus ecology and evolution at Solstrand, 2023
This project is an international collaboration between researchers at UiB and NORCE, with partners from Kyoto University (Japan), University of Massachusetts Boston (USA), University of Tennessee (USA), and University of New Brunswick (Canada).
Excited to learn more or get involved? Let’s connect and infect… with knowledge! 
