2nd ESPGHAN Summer School in Basic and Translational Research

2nd ESPGHAN summer school for Basic and Translational Research:  

24th to 26th July 2019 

Trinity Hall College, Cambridge, UK  

Target audience:  

• Clinicians and scientists involved in research related to ESPGHAN  
• Trainees as well as established researchers/clinicians are invited  
• Non-members require supporting statement from an active ESPGHAN member 
• ESPGHAN members who are interested in perusing basic and or translational research in the fields of paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition 

This summer school aims to provide an introduction to basic and translational research methodologies specifically tailored to young clinical trainees, research students, post-docs as well as more established investigators working in the field of paediatric gastroenterology, hepatology and nutrition. Moreover, we aim to provide a platform for motivated individuals to meet, connect and receive guidance from an experienced international faculty.   

Talks and teaching sessions will cover the following topics:  

• Introduction in basic molecular research techniques (e.g. RT-PCR, Western blotting, ELISA, Immunostaining etc.)  
• Genome wide genetic, epigenetic and transcriptomic profiling  - Next generation sequencing and array based approaches  
• Introduction in bioinformatic analysis of the above datasets (using ‘R’) 
• Human intestinal organoids (or “how to grow a human mini-gut”) – novel translational research tools for Paediatric Gastroenterologists 
• Cutting edge research: CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing  
• Translational basic research (from bench to bedside) – how to make it happen  
• How to get published  
• Applying for funding (fellowships, grants)  
• How to combine clinical work and science / how to be research active  
• Discussion and critical appraisal of selected delegate projects 

The social programme will include a dinner at the historical College Dining Hall and punting on the river Cams. There will be plenty of opportunity for delegates to network with faculty members as well as amongst each other encouraging active exchange of ideas and start of possible collaborations.  

Applications:

All applicants will be requested to submit

• CV  
• Brief motivational statement  
• Support letter from an ESPGHAN member (if application from non-member trainees) 
• Abstract of either current or planned research project (basic and/or translational research) – top abstracts will be selected for presentation and discussion. Completed projects will not be accepted. 

Costs and registration: 

A registration fee of EUR 100 will apply. ESPGHAN will cover catering and accommodation costs, along with attendance to social events. Please note that delegates are expected to cover their travel expenses.

ESPGHAN SUMMER SCHOOL FOR BASIC AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH  

JULY 24-26, 2018 

Cambridge, United Kingdom 

Wednesday 24 July  

Arrival of faculty and delegates  

18:00 Welcome networking event at Trinity Hall College followed by punting on the River Cams  

Thursday 25 July  

Morning Session 

8:30 – 9:00 Registration and Coffee 

9:00 Welcome (M. Zilbauer) 

9:00 – 9:20 Basic and translational research – how to get started (M. Zilbauer) 

9:20 – 9:55 Basic principles and methodological approaches – which technique and when (A. Jenke) 

9:55 – 10:25 Genetic engineering of human organoids (B.K Kool)

10:15 – 10:45 Coffee break 

10:45 – 11:15 Human intestinal organoids - translational research tools (J. Kraiczy) 

11:15 – 11:35 Genome wide profiling – small and large data sets – pro´s and con´s (Cambridge faculty) 

11:35 – 12:00 Single Cell RNA sequencing vs. “custom” RNA sequencing (A. Ross) 

12:00 – 12:30 Questions – Discussions (All faculty) 

12:30 – 13:30 Lunch 

13:30 – 14:30 Publishing translational research – tips and considerations prior starting a project (K. Hensel) 

Afternoon break out session 

Delegates will be divided in 5 groups  

14:30 – 15:30 Meet the faculty - Discussion groups 20 minutes each  

Description: This is aimed at giving delegates the opportunity to meet with faculty and have a more detailed discussion about various aspects of related research and/or other topics.

1. Large data analyses and bioinformatics (Alex Ross, Felicity Payne) 
2. Basic research methodologies/organoids/CRISPR (Judith Kraiczy, B.K Koo)
3. Clinical trials/clinical research/funding/training (Robert Heuschkel, Jake Mann, Matthias Zilbauer, Kai Hensel)

Description: Each group will be given 5-6 delegate abstracts (NOT their own). These will be scored (a scoring template and instructions are provided) and constructive feedback documented by the supervising faculty members. In preparation for this session, each faculty member will be asked to score their abstracts using the same template. Feedback and scores will be communicated to delegates.  

As a second task, the group will be asked to choose one abstract/project to be prepared for presentation in the ‘Science Dragon Den’. Briefly, in the Dragon’s Den, the group will have to convince dragons to fund their research project. They will be given 10-15 minutes presentation time followed by questions from the dragons. The group are allowed to modify the abstract (e.g. change methodologies, patient cohort etc) if they feel that this improves the quality of the project.  

The aim is to critically assess research projects and prepare for funding and/or publication. The Dragon’s den session will be held on Friday.  

Abstract distribution:  

Group A – reviewing and discussing Abstracts from Group E  

Group B – reviewing and discussing Abstracts from Group A  

Group C – reviewing and discussing Abstracts from Group B  

Group D – reviewing and discussing Abstracts from Group C  

Group E – reviewing and discussing Abstracts from Group D  

Evening: Dinner in historical College Dining Hall  

Friday 26 July  

8:30 – 9:00 Coffee  

9:00 – 9:30 Clinical trials and collaborating with industry (R. Heuschkel) 

9:30 – 10:00 Setting up a clinical registry (J. Mann) 

10:00 – 10:15 Coffee break 

10:15 – 12:30 Science – Dragon’s Den (Delegates and all Faculty) 

12:30 - 12:45 Feedback from delegates 

12:45 Concluding remarks and summary (M. Zilbauer) 

13:15 Lunch and departure 

Cambridge based:  

Prof. Matthias Zilbauer MD PhD (Course director)

Dr. Alexander Ross MD

Dr. Jake Mann, MD

International:  

Prof. Andreas Jenke (Germany) 

Dr. Bon-Kyoung Koo (Vienna) 

Dr. Judith Kraiczy (Harvard)