Training School – IMMUNO-model

Training School WG4: Liquid Biopsies in Hematological Malignancies

Super Admin — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 16:27:17 +0000

Identification of Immunotherapy Biomarkers
Date: June 30 – July 2, 2025
Location: Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba – Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal

Overview

The 3rd IMMUNO-model Training School focused on the emerging role of liquid biopsies in hematological malignancies, particularly in identifying biomarkers for immunotherapy. Hosted at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, this three-day event brought together a diverse group of researchers and trainers to explore cutting-edge techniques and applications in the field.

Organizers

Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro (FMUC/CHUC)
Ana Cristina Gonçalves (FMUC)
Raquel Alves (FMUC)
M. Helena Vasconcelos (i3S/FFUP)
Rui Bergantim (i3S/ULS – São João)

Participants

A total of 32 participants, including 21 trainees selected from 43 applicants across 11 countries, attended the training. The group included PhD students, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers, with a strong representation of Young Researchers and Innovators.

Program Highlights

The training school featured a blend of theoretical sessions and hands-on lab activities, fostering interactive learning and practical skill development. Topics covered included:

Diagnostic and prognostic applications of liquid biopsies
Monitoring disease progression and drug response
Protocol optimization and lab techniques

The multidisciplinary backgrounds of both trainers and trainees enriched discussions, offering varied perspectives and promoting collaborative problem-solving.

Participant Feedback

“A comprehensive program covering key approaches in liquid biopsies.”
“The benefit of practical sessions to discuss protocol and wet-lab tips on this subject.”
“Once again, thank you so much for the wonderful training — I’m still truly amazed by everything you shared.”
“The TS was well organised and exceeded all my expectations.”

Training School on ‘Liquid Biopsies in Hematological Malignancies – identification of immunotherapy biomarkers’

Super Admin — Tue, 08 Apr 2025 15:26:30 +0000

We are pleased to invite you to the IMMUNO-model Training School on ‘Liquid Biopsies in Hematological Malignancies – identification of immunotherapy biomarkers’, to be held from 30/06/2025 to the 02/07/2025 at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba – Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal

This training school aims to provide an introduction and comprehensive training in the role of liquid biopsies in diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and drug response evaluation in hematological malignancies. It will cover fundamental concepts, advanced strategies, and practical approaches and techniques. Participants will attend lectures, engage in interactive panel discussions, and participate in lab hands-on sessions to enhance their understanding and skills in these cutting-edge fields.

We are looking forward to meet you in Coimbra!

Application Process

Deadline for submitting applications is April 25^th, 2025.

Please fill in the form at this link: https://forms.gle/ytoqVZdsLd3jS54t7

Venue:
Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra,

Azinhaga de Santa Comba – Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal

Trainers:

3rd Training School on ‘Liquid Biopsies in Hematological Malignancies – identification of immunotherapy biomarkers’

Super Admin — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 12:28:20 +0000

Date: 30/06/2025, 01/07/2025 and 02/07/2025 (3 days)
Location of Training: Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Azinhaga de Santa Comba – Celas, 3000-548 Coimbra, Portugal

Organisers: Ana Bela Sarmento-Ribeiro, Ana Cristina Gonçalves, Raquel Alves (FMUC/ULSC-CHUC); M. Helena Vasconcelos (i3S/FFUP), Rui Bergantim (i3S/FMUP/ULSJ).

We are happy to officially announce our 3rd IMMUNO-model Training School on “Liquid Biopsies in Hematological Malignancies – identification of immunotherapy biomarkers”, from 30th June to 2nd July 2025, at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.

This training school aims to provide an introduction and comprehensive training in the role of liquid biopsies in diagnosis, prognosis, monitoring, and drug response evaluation, including drug resistance, in hematological malignancies. It will cover fundamental concepts, advanced strategies and techniques, practical approaches and clinical applications. Participants will attend lectures, engage in interactive panel discussions, and participate in hands-on sessions to enhance their understanding and skills in these cutting-edge fields.

Priority for places and reimbursement will be given to IMMUNO-model PhD students and young researchers (COST’s definition of Young Researchers and Innovators (YRIs) is those engaged in research under the age 40 years old). The next priority level will be given to maintain a good balance of: gender, age, country and institution of affiliation. Please indicate in your application if the YRI definition applies to you. Otherwise, priority will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

More information will follow in the coming weeks and the application process will also open shortly.

2nd Training School Report“Computational Immuno-genomics Summer School”

Super Admin — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:34:17 +0000

11-13 June 2024, University Hospital Lozano Blesa. C. de San Juan Bosco, 15, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain.

The Computational immuno-genomics Summer School took place in Zaragoza, Spain. In line with the IMMUNO-model COST Action goals, this training school focused on key techniques of computational biology to understand tumour and its microenvironment focusing on the immune system.

This summer school combined theoretical and practical sessions to fully understand gold standard and emerging techniques in the field of immunomics. Among the topics covered, students learnt to analyse data from cutting-edge technologies, such as single cell mass cytometry and spatial transcriptomics. Bulk RNA-Seq data were also used to apply deconvolution techniques to identify immune populations in tumour samples. Regarding genomics, different tools were used to identify neo-antigens from cancer mutations. Lecturers also explained how to study interactions between cancer and immune cells, using mathematical models or tools to decipher the crosstalk between cells. Of note, some of the sessions were specifically dedicated to pre-clinical models, which is the focus of this COST Action.

Number of participants: 22, targeted audience PhD students given priority.

Trainers
Sandra García Mulero: s.garciam@idibell.cat
Roberto Fornelino: robertofg463@gmail.com
Peter Rashkov: p.rashkov@math.bas.bg
Maurizio Callari: maurizio.callari@fondazionemichelangelo.org
Rebeca Sanz Pamplona: rsanz@iisaragon.es

The training school was very successful.

Sample feedback from participants:

“Thank you so much for making this memorable, informative, and friendly summer school!!”

“Thank you all for all the effort for this great summer school.”

1st Training School Report “Exploring the Microphysiological Systems”

Super Admin — Wed, 12 Feb 2025 16:23:10 +0000

1^st Training School “Exploring the Microphysiological Systems” took place on 20 – 22 September 2023, in person and hands-on at the Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH), Turkey.

The aim of the training school was to provide an introduction to microphysiological systems (MPS). MPS mimic the in vivo microenvironment and present great in vitro models, contributing to the 4Rs. Trainees attended lectures and hands-on sessions. With the theoretical and practical information gained, the trainees will be able to adopt MPS to their research in line with the COST Action. There was also a design challenge where trainees were encouraged to work on their own MPS designs.

Number of participants: 13, targeted audience PhD students given priority.

The training school was successful. Sample feedback from participants:

“Very well organized, and very useful for our research. Such a nice experience from meeting people from all over the world using 3D models and chips.”

“The training school “Exploring the Microphysiological Systems” was a very well organized event. The training covered all the basic steps required to obtain an overall understanding of this field of research. All the lectures were complemented with excellent practical sessions where we had the opportunity to put into practice what we learned and, therefore, to actually acquire the required skills to translate this learning experience into our own research.”

“It was really well organised and all of the members of the local group were super helpful with everything. The topic is a novelty and I think is great to make courses for young researchers to learn and implement the techniques in our labs abroad. Thank you very much to everyone in charge of the event! It was a lovely experience :)”

Computational Immuno-genomics Summer School, 11-13 June 2024, Zaragoza, Spain

Super Admin — Tue, 12 Mar 2024 09:39:02 +0000

We are pleased to invite you to the IMMUNO-model COST Action Computational immuno-genomics Summer School, to be held on 11-13 June 2024 at the University Hospital Lozano Blesa, Health Research Institute Aragon, Zaragoza, Spain.

This training school aims at providing an introduction to key computational strategies to study the reciprocal interactions between the tumour and its microenvironment, with a specific focus on the immune compartment. Trainees will attend lectures and hands-on sessions, to enable them to incorporate such methods in their research activities. The training school will additionally be the opportunity to launch the collection of immuno-omic datasets to later generate and publish a publicly available resource. We are looking forward to meet you in Zagoza!

Application Process (Deadline April 5th, 2024)

Please fill in the form here.

More info here.

Venue:
University Hospital Lozano Blesa.
C. de San Juan Bosco, 15, 50009 Zaragoza, Spain

Trainers:
Sandra García Mulero: s.garciam@idibell.cat
Roberto Fornelino: robertofg463@gmail.com
Peter Rashkov: p.rashkov@math.bas.bg
Maurizio Callari maurizio.callari@fondazionemichelangelo.org
Rebeca Sanz Pamplona rsanz@iisaragon.es

The Computational immuno-genomics Summer School took place in Zaragoza, Spain. In line with the Immuno-model COST Action goals, this training school focused on key techniques of computational biology to understand tumours and its microenvironment focusing on the immune system. This summer school combined theoretical and practical sessions to fully understand gold standard and emerging techniques in the field of immunomics. Among the topics covered, students learnt to analyze data from cutting-edge technologies, such as single cell mass cytometry and spatial transcriptomics. Bulk RNA-Seq data were also used to apply deconvolution techniques to identify immune populations in tumour samples. Regarding genomics, different tools were used to identify neoantigens from cancer mutations. Lecturers also explained how to study interactions between cancer and immune cells, using mathematical models or tools to decipher the crosstalk between cells. Of note, some of the sessions were specifically dedicated to pre-clinical models, which is the focus of this COST action.

1st IMMUNO-model COST ActionTraining School

Super Admin — Fri, 16 Jun 2023 11:19:29 +0000

20-21-22 September 2023
Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH), Turkey

We are pleased to invite you to the 1st IMMUNO-model COST Action Training School “Exploring the Microphysiological Systems”, to be held on 20-21-22 September 2023 at Izmir Institute of Technology (IZTECH), Turkey.

This training school aims to provide an introduction to microphysiological systems (MPS). MPS mimic the in vivo microenvironment and present great in vitro models, contributing to the 4Rs. Trainees will attend lectures and hands-on sessions. With the theoretical and practical information gained, the trainees will be able to adopt MPS to their research in line with the COST Action. There will also be a design challenge where trainees are encouraged to work on their own MPS designs.

Please find more information here.

We look forward to seeing you at the Training School!