Leiden, Netherlands

Vaccinology Summer School 2018

when 3 September 2018 - 8 September 2018
language English
duration 1 week
fee EUR 200

Are you interested in the latest developments in vaccinology, both in infectious diseases and in cancer? Want to learn about vaccine design, manufacture and clinical development through a combination of taught classes and practical workshops? We invite you to attend a 5-day joint Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and University of Oxford Summer School in Leiden.

Target group

This Summer School is particularly suitable for PhD students, and for final year Master’s students as well as early stage post-doctoral scientists who have had exposure to one or more of the following; immunology, microbiology and oncology. The course is best suited for those interested in increasing their knowledge on human vaccine research, clinical development of vaccines, clinical trials as well the industrial production, testing and licensing of vaccines. While the course is directed at PhD/graduate students, scientists working in industry may also wish to apply to gain latest insights into vaccinology. The number of applicants in the course will not exceed 30.

Course aim

This course builds on the successful University of Oxford Vaccinology Training program. Lectures will be given by world leaders and experts in vaccinology and will span all aspects of vaccine development from antigen discovery, preclinical testing, GMP manufacture and clinical evaluation as well as ethical and regulatory considerations. Course modules cover Microbial Vaccines, Cancer Vaccines, Clinical Development, Adjuvants and Manufacture.

The Themes covered by the Summer School can be summarized as follows:
-Introduction to vaccinology including the importance of vaccines in disease eradication and control; challenges faced in vaccinology, and new approaches to vaccine development;
-Infectious disease vaccine design and preclinical validation;
-Cancer vaccinology (therapeutic and prophylactic vaccines), and consideration of the challenges in developing a successful cancer immunotherapy;
-The clinical development pathway with examples of research stage and licensed vaccines;
-Specific examples of vaccines (illustrating key points which can be applied to other diseases);
-The use and role of adjuvants;
-GMP manufacture of vaccines and regulatory concerns;
-Ethical considerations in testing vaccines in clinical trials.

The objectives of the course are as follows:
-To develop an overall understanding of vaccine development from pre-clinical testing, through Phase I-IV clinical trials and licensure.
-To give participants the knowledge and skill to design and test a vaccine for a given disease, including understanding of the immune response required, need for an adjuvant, and optimal vaccine design, including target antigen(s) and choice of subunit versus whole organism.
-To impart knowledge and understanding of manufacture across a spectrum of different vaccines, including the requirements of GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice).
-To give an understanding of the approaches available in developing a successful cancer vaccine, including personalized cancer vaccines.

Fee info

EUR 200: Academic rate: € 200,-
Fee covers: registration, breakfast, on-site meals, social program and network opportunities. The fee also covers the hotel accommodation for 5 days (based on 2 person sharing). Single occupancy supplement (€ 125,-).
EUR 900: Industry rate: € 900,-

Fee covers: registration, breakfast, on-site meals, social program and network opportunities. The fee also covers the hotel accommodation for 5 days (based on 2 person sharing). Single occupancy supplement (€ 125,-).