Oveview of 2022 Session
The 1st International School on Advanced Immunology was held at Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center on 7-10 November 2022, jointly by Osaka University Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC) and ImmunoSensation2 at the University of Bonn. The School is the continuation of the NIF Winter School on Advanced Immunology, which IFReC jointly organized with the Singapore Immunology Network (SIgN) in 2012-2020.Forty-nine extremely talented young researchers were selected from 382 applicants from around the world to participate in the School. These young researchers learned cutting-edge immunology from 15 world-renowned senior researchers over a four-day period, and all participants gave short oral and poster presentations. They formed close friendships with their peers through lively discussions and communication. In addition, on 11 November, XX young researchers who wished to visit IFReC had the opportunity to tour IFReC's laboratories.
Except for the participation fee (50,000 yen), which was paid by the participants, IFReC covered the cost of airfare, accommodation in a comfortable room and excellent meals at the high-class hotel (Awaji Nikko Grand hotel).
On the other hand, because COVID-19 measures were strongly advised in Japan at the time of the School, participants were required to ensure sufficient social distance and to wear masks at all times during the School. Thanks to the understanding and cooperation of the participants, the School was successfully completed without any health problems. However, unfortunately, due to the restrictions, we were unable to have as many opportunities for close exchanges as in the previous Schools.
The School organizers cordially appreciate the financial support of Chugai Pharmaceutical, Otsuka Pharmaceutical, the Tsutomu Nakauchi Foundation, the Hyogo International Association, the Naito Foundation, the World Premier International Research Center Initiative (WPI), and the JSPS Core-to-Core Program (JPJSCCA202110008).
Date and Venue
7-10 November 2022
Awaji Yumebutai International Conference Center, Awaji Island, Japan
11 November 2022
Immunology Frontier Research Center (IFReC), Osaka University, Osaka, JapanParticipants were given the opportunity to visit IFReC on the Suita Campus of Osaka University in Osaka, Japan.
Application and Selection
Participants were selected by the 2022 International School Selection Committee through a competitive screening and selection process based on submitted application materials: Curriculum vitae, a personal statement describing their motivation for attending the program, an abstract of the applicant’s presentation, and a recommendation letter.- 50 applicants were successfully selected from 382 applicants. Because one participant was unable to attend, 49 participants of 20 nationalities attended.
Two of the participants joined the School through the exchange program between the German Society for Immunology and the Japan Society for Immunology. - 32 participants were female (65%) and 17 participants were male (35%).
- 30 participants were PhD students (61%) and 19 were early postdocs (39%)
- Average age of participants was 29.6 ± 2.8 years old.
- Participants were originally from Europe (22), Asia (13), Oceania (2), Northern America (8), South America (3) and the Middle East (1).
- Participants belong to institutes located in Europe (26), Asia (7), Oceania (4), Northern America (10) and the Middle East (2).
- Four young researchers from the companies collaborating with IFReC also attended (two from Chugai Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd. and two from Otsuka Pharmaceutical, Co., Ltd.).
- Click here to view the flyer of International School on Advanced Immunology 2022 (pdf)
2022 Program
The scientific program comprised participants' short presentations, poster sessions, and 15 guest lectures. Each participant presented during a poster session and gave a short oral presentation as well. In addition to the scientific program, there were welcome and farewell parties in a friendly atmosphere after dinners as a part of the program.Lecturers (7-10 November, 2022)
Shizuo Akira IFReC, Osaka University (Japan)Ido Amit Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel)
Eva Bartok University Hospital Bonn, ImmunoSensation2 (Germany)
Keishi Fujio The University of Tokyo (Japan)
Koji Hase Keio University (Japan)
Axel Kallies The University of Melbourne (Australia)
Eicke Latz University Hospital Bonn, ImmunoSensation2 (Germany)
Elvira Mass University of Bonn, ImmunoSensation2 (Germany)
Gabriel Núñez University of Michigan (USA)
Marion Pepper University of Washington (USA)
Marco Prinz University of Freiburg (Germany)
Michel Sadelain Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (USA)
Shimon Sakaguchi IFReC, Osaka University (Japan)
Ziv Shulman Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel)
Presentation Award Laureates
Awards were given to the following participants for their excellent presentations.Sandra Nakandakari-Higa The Rockefeller University, USA
Nathalie M. Schmidt University College London, UK
Lydia N. Raines Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, USA
Josipa Jerak Universita della Svizzera Italiana and ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Organizing Committee
Immunology Frontier Research Center, Osaka University
Tomohiro Kurosaki (Director)Hisashi Arase
Sho Yamasaki
Naoki Hosen
Kazuhiro Suzuki
Wataru Ise
James Badger Wing
ImmunoSensation2 Cluster of Excellence, University of Bonn, Germany
Gunther HartmannWaldemar Kolanus
Christian Kurts
Eicke Latz
Elvira Mass
Katrin Paeschke
Andreas Schlitzer