FOCIS is back in Europe !

After several years of success of FOCIS courses in San Diego and all over the world including our first edition in Normandy in 2023, we are excited to host again this popular educational course in 2025. The European advanced course and conference on immunology and immunopathology, will be held from October 20-24 at the Faculty of Health in Rouen Normandy (easily and rapidly accessible from Paris). A program filled by international clinical immunology leaders will give a clinical twist on key cellular and molecular immunology topics.

Course description 

By means of plenary lectures and scientific seminars, this five-day course will provide a high-quality, up-to-date comprehensive coverage of major topics in immunology, including the mechanisms involved in innate and adaptive immunity at molecular and cellular levels. The molecular and genetic basis of immunologically-mediated diseases, cancer immunology as well as recent advances in interventional and clinical immunology will also be addressed. In addition, a participative workshop will allow attendees to acquire essential skills on building a clinical trial and drafting a protocol. Junior researchers, who will be selected based on the quality of their submitted abstracts will have the opportunity to share their own work. This course will provide participants the opportunity to interact through questions and discussions with distinguished scientists in the clinical immunology field.

Target audience

The target audience includes clinical fellows in disciplines related to immunology; PhD and Post-doctoral fellows doing basic research with an emphasis on human disease; scientists or other research and development personnel from biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies who are involved in developing new therapies for immunological disease; and academic or community physicians who wish to enhance their understanding of immunology.

Program expectations

At the conclusion of this course, attendees will be able to master the basis of immunological and immunopathological mechanisms, will be able to discuss recent advances and emerging themes in immunology, will be familiar with the current and upcoming strategies for therapeutic immune intervention and will know the main types of clinical trials in immunology and be introduced to the translation of preclinical work into a clinical trial protocol.

We look forward to welcoming you in Normandy !

Attractiveness of Normandy and Rouen

Located on the banks of the Seine River, Rouen, described by Victor Hugo as the city of one hundred bell towers, is Normandy’s vibrant, historic and cultural capital. With a variety of medieval churches and half-timbered houses lining the streets, this city has survived two world wars whilst keeping in good condition some of history’s most beautiful buildings from the Middle Ages. As the land of Impressionism, Rouen and the Seine Valley have inspired artists such as Claude Monet, Paul Gauguin, Camille Pissarro and Alfred Sisley. Monet’s famous depictions of Rouen Cathedral have made this vast edifice many visitors’ favorite building in the city, but there are also many fine museums to explore, not to mention the “Gros Horloge” clock tower, France’s oldest inn “La Couronne” and the beautiful modern church dedicated to Joan of Arc. Rouen is a host of major tourist events, such as the Armada, every four years, with more than 1 million visitors. In addition, in 2021, Rouen was named ‘UNESCO City of Gastronomy’, becoming the first French city to be recognized for its outstanding cuisine. Normandy is world famous for its cheeses and cider, Calvados and seafood and apple tart. Rouen is easily reachable from Paris by train (1.5h), and is conveniently close to other touristic sites such as the landing beaches, the cliffs of Etretat or Giverny.