Highlights from the retreat included a keynote lecture by Dr. Simon Jochems (LUCID, LUMC), who showcased cutting-edge minimally invasive approaches to study immune responses during infection and vaccination, and Dr. Martijn Verdoes’ (IMMU / Radboud UMC) inspiring talk on chemical strategies for precision immunotherapy in cancer. Dr. Ralph Stadhouders (Pulmonary Medicine, Erasmus MC) provided a thought-provoking exploration of the "dark genome" and its role in preparing memory T cells for rapid recall, opening exciting new avenues for understanding immune cell function and therapeutic potential.
Further research highlights included novel T cell therapy targeting B cells in organ transplantation, profiling inflammation-associated T helper subsets in disease, and engineering antibodies for enhanced clinical efficacy. Talks also explored RNA sensing and interferon responses in the placenta, maternal-fetal HLA compatibility in pregnancy, and circadian impacts on mRNA vaccine responses. Foundational insights were shared on differentiation branch points of T cell subsets and redefining the thymus as a secondary lymphoid organ with intrathymic B cell activity.
Ward Vleeshouwers received the prize for best oral presentation, “Time of Day Influences the CD8 T Cell Response to mRNA Vaccination” and Beau van Hulst for the best poster presentation, “From Design to Delivery: Utilizing Microneedles for Enhanced Intradermal Cancer Vaccination.”
Surrounded by the wonders of Naturalis, we embraced innovation and collaboration, propelling us toward exciting new frontiers in immunology.
On behalf of the organizing committee,
Sander de Kivit, Kirsten Canté, Fiamma Salerno, and Vincent van Unen.
Supported by the Immunology Secretariate.