The SIICA-FOCIS school held in Florence from 19 to 21 May 2019 has been a great success. Some of the most important immunologists took the stage to give brilliant lectures to young researchers.
The school covered the main topics in innate and adaptive immunity, trying to create a link between basic research and clinical immunology. Hot topics that strongly connect research to clinic were addressed, such as the discovery of novel mechanisms responsible for primary immunodeficiencies and the role of immunotherapy in autoimmunity and cancer. This was very important in light of the heterogeneous background of participants, that ranged from basic scientists to clinicians.
In this view, the Round Table organized by the SIICA Junior Faculty introduced the theme of biological drugs in immunology-related disorders. Participants were mainly from Italy, but 33% of them came from 18 different countries (Figure 1).
From the evaluation of the received satisfaction questionnaires, the participants considered the course useful for their research and work (Fig. 1) and also well balanced to their scientific background (Fig. 2). Most importantly, almost all the participants would recommend this school to their colleagues (Fig. 3). In addition to providing high-quality lectures, the speakers gave also lessons of friendship and professional respect.
We all enjoyed the memories of good past times and great scientific achievements by Prof. Abul Abbas and Prof. Sergio Romagnani.
Photo highlights from the course are included below.
