Fifth NRS symposium animal models

Rotterdam, Utrecht and Leiden, December 1st, 2015

Dear Colleague,

The symposium of the NRS platform animal models in pulmonary research was held this year for the 5th time in Utrecht on October 17th 2015. The meeting was attended by 42 scientists from different disciplines, including pulmonology, paediatrics, pathology, pharmacology, virology and immunology. This year we had a focus on the role of the immune system in lung diseases, which was highlighted by two exciting keynote lectures by Troy Randall (University of Alabama, Birmingham, USA) on “Local lymphoid tissues and immunity to pulmonary infection” and by Tibor Veres (University of Turku, Finland) on “Visualizing allergic immune responses of the airway mucosa” which was visualized in a spectacular way, using in vivo imaging. In addition we enjoyed the excellent contributions by our Dutch colleagues.

We thank all speakers for their excellent contributions that were given in a pleasant atmosphere during the symposium. The stimulating discussions after each presentation, which continued during the walking dinner, are very likely to contribute to successful collaborations.

The many compliments we received during dinner and after the symposium will stimulate us to organize the next symposium in autumn 2016. Please give us feedback on the issues that were raised by us and others, including the role of the platform in biobanking of animal materials, date of the symposium, international keynote speakers and research subjects, that will enable us to further improve the symposium. 

With kind regards,

Rudi Hendriks, Gert Folkerts, and Gerry Wagenaar.