In September, Genna Abdullah and Dr Grace Filbertine, PhD students in the Neutrophil Lab visited Munich for the Neutrophil 2024 conference. Grace is a clinical PhD student on the joint programme between the Universities of Liverpool and Chulalongkorn, Bangkok and Genna’s PhD is funded by the Dunhill Medical Trust and University of Liverpool PhD scholarship. Here they share their experiences of the trip.
We recently had the incredible opportunity to attend the Neutrophil 2024 conference, hosted at the prestigious Biomedical Center (BMC) of Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), Germany. As postgraduate researchers, this event was nothing short of inspiring—a confluence of groundbreaking research, cutting-edge methodologies, and collaborative spirit, all centred on our favourite immune cells: neutrophils.
Our team presented thesis research exploring the intricate world of metabolomics using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and transcriptomics through RNA sequencing, specifically investigating neutrophils across different disease spectra. Grace presented her research that is focused on neutrophils in children with systemic lupus erythematosus and Genna presented her research on healthy ageing and inflammaging associated with frailty. Both projects, under the supervision of Dr Helen Wright and Dr Marie Phelan, stimulated discussions during the poster sessions and engaged the interest of fellow scientists eager to learn about neutrophil behaviour in unique contexts.
The conference also featured an array of exciting research presentations from young investigators - PhD students and postdocs—who explored neutrophils in autoimmune diseases, cancer, and infections. From the complexities of neutrophil signalling in disease progression to their unexpected roles as a trained immune cell, the breadth of topics showcased the role of neutrophils as friend or foe.
Beyond the science, we also immersed ourselves in the collaborative and friendly atmosphere of the event, engaging with other PIs and young investigators. The networking opportunities were fantastic, providing us a global platform to share ideas and potentially spark future collaborations.
After the conference, we ventured beyond the city to explore the natural beauty of Bavaria. We started with a scenic cable car ride, then hiked to the summit of Mt. Wallberg, soaking in the breathtaking views over Lake Tegernsee before having a traditional Bavarian lunch at the peak. The experience followed by the 9.6 km trail adorned with serene creeks and charming farmlands made the experience truly unforgettable. For those planning to visit, it is a must!
As a final treat, we visited the Slyrs Whisky Distillery in Schliersee - a short distance from a serene Lake Schliersee - where we learned about the craftsmanship behind Bavarian whisky.
We’re grateful to our funding for supporting our participation in this experience, and we want to extend heartfelt thanks to our supervisors, Dr Helen Wright and Dr Marie Phelan at the University of Liverpool, for their unwavering guidance. This trip not only deepened our understanding of neutrophils but also allowed us to expand our professional networks in ways that will benefit our future research endeavours.