Tiny Vectors, Major Threats: A Deep Dive into Tick-Borne Infections
By Cyril Renassia, Project Manager – GO
A scientific symposium organised by the Labex IBEID - October 8, 2026 - Institut Pasteur
Ticks are among the most important vectors of pathogens worldwide. Responsible for transmitting a wide diversity of bacteria, viruses and parasites to humans and animals, they represent a growing public health concern, particularly in the context of climate change, which is driving the geographical expansion of tick populations and the emergence of new vector-borne diseases.
To address these challenges and foster scientific exchange around the latest advances in the field, the Labex IBEID is organising a symposium dedicated to tick-borne infections on October 8, 2026, at the Institut Pasteur. The programme has been designed to cover a broad scientific spectrum, from the fundamental biology of ticks and host immunology to epidemiology, climate change, and innovative vaccination strategies.
The symposium will feature four keynote speakers. Nathalie Boulanger, Professor at the University of Strasbourg and Head of the National Reference Centre for Lyme disease, will provide a comprehensive overview of tick-borne disease threats and prevention strategies in Europe. Nicholas Ogden, Associate Professor at the University of Montreal and researcher at the Public Health Agency of Canada, will address the influence of climate change on tick population dynamics and the continental expansion of tick-borne diseases. Joao H.F. Pedra, Professor at the University of Maryland, will share his work on the immuno-physiology of arthropod vectors and the fundamental interactions between ticks, pathogens and their mammalian hosts. Finally, José de la Fuente, Professor at the University of Castilla-La Mancha will discuss the latest developments in vaccinology for the control of tick-borne diseases.
Alongside these keynote lectures, several communications from researchers affiliated with the Labex IBEID and partner institutions will enrich the programme, covering topics such as tick microbiomes, salivary gland biology, and the development of tick bite exposure biomarkers.
This event is open to the entire scientific community. Attendance is free but registration is mandatory.
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