The number of laboratories engaged in SARS-CoV research was enormous at the height of the epidemic and many laboratories have made significant contributions to our current understanding of SARS epidemiology, replication, cross species transmission and pathogenesis. SARS highlighted the success of the basic research community and Public Health infrastructure as the principle determinants against new emerging diseases. This special issue of Virus Research reviews only a small subset of the enormous number of high quality scientific contributions made by the global research community. Science into policy: preparing for pandemic influenza Authoratative government pandemic preparedness requires an evidence-based approach. The scientific advisory process that has informed the current UK pandemic preparedness plans is described. The final endorsed scientific papers are now publicly available. Public expectations of effective government interventions in health crises are high in developed countries. Authoritative action and provision of information to the public can help in avoiding public disquiet or panic and in mitigating the societal risks of a pandemic, complementing the direct health effects of any interventions. Conversely, disagreement over the scientific evidence base, particularly where considerable uncertainties and gaps in information exist, can open the way to debate based primarily on established beliefs and prejudices. In the face of a future event such as an influenza pandemic, the timing and precise nature of which is unknown, robust preparation will be strengthened by an agreed scientific understanding of the risks and the options for response.