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FIRST BLACK SEA INTERNATIONAL IMMUNOLOGY
SCHOOL
(BSIIS2014)
2 October 2014
„Lilia” Hotel, Golden Sands, Varna
ORGANIZING
COMMITTEE
Maria Nikolova
Andrey Tchorbanov,
Elissaveta Naumova,
Viktoria Sarafian
Marianna Murdjeva
Tchavdar Vassilev
EFIS and the European Journal of Immunology
have provided €6000 for bursaries and €3000 for the management of the First
Black Sea International Immunology School .
Dear friends and colleagues,
Welcome at the 1st Black Sea International Immunology School!
This is an educational initiative of the Bulgarian Immunology Society and the Bulgarian Association of
Clinical Immunology, aiming to develop a training framework in fundamental, translational and
clinical immunology that will involve academic, scientific and healthcare institutions from Bulgaria,
and the neighboring Balkan and Black Sea regions. Each edition of the School will be organized
around a specific topic, and combine intensive lectures and tutorials with updated practical
information on the possibilities for continuous education, project development and networking in
Europe.
BSIIS2014 will take place under the motto “Immunology for All”. It will focus on the basics of
immunology, and “trace” career opportunities for an immunology beginner. Thanks to the generous
support of EFIS and the European Journal of Immunology, 63 applicants will have the opportunity to
join the school. A group of international speakers will ensure the highly interactive and intense
program.
The training is addressed to you: research - oriented young people, engaged in the field of biomedical
studies, and willing to complete your theoretical and practical skills in immunology. Do participate in
the lectures, don’t be afraid to ask, share your ideas, enjoy the discussions!
Looking forward to meeting you at the beautiful Black Sea coast!
The Organizing Committee
THE PROGRAM
WEDNESDAY, 1 OCT
16.00 – 19.00
ARRIVAL AND REGISTRATION
19.30: “GET-TO-KNOW EACH OTHER” DINNER
THURSDAY, 2 OCT
8.45
OFFICIAL OPENING.
9.00 – 9.30
UNCERTAINTY AND PLASTICITY IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM. T. Vassilev, Bulgaria
9.30 – 10.00
PARAMETERS INFLUENCING THE IMMUNE RESPONSE. J-M Cavaillon, France
10.00 – 10.30
IMMUNE SYSTEM: FRIEND OR FOE? S. Kaveri, France
10.30 – 11.00
COFFEE BREAK
11.00 – 11.30
AUTOIMMUNITY – KEY FACTS AND PARADOXES M. Murdjeva, Bulgaria
11.30 – 12.00
IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF TRANSPLANTATION A. Mihaylova, Bulgaria
12.00 – 12.30
FLOW CYTOMETRY: MAKING THE BEST OF IT M. Nikolova, Bulgaria
13.00 – 14.00
“MEET THE SPEAKERS” LUNCH
14.00 – 14.30
MOUSE MODELS IN IMMUNOLOGY A. Tchorbanov, Bulgaria
14.30 – 15.00
IMMUNOINFORMATICS IN THE “-OMIC” ERA Massimo Amicosante, Italy
15.00 – 15.30
THE INSTRUCTIVE ROLE OF THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM. A. Erdei, Hungary
15.30 – 16.00
COFFEE BREAK
16.00 – 16.30
“DARE TO DREAM, DARE TO FLY”: ORGANIZATION AND CHALLENGES
OF PhD EDUCATION V. Sarafian, Bulgaria
16.30 – 17.00
THE TRAINING PROGRAM OF IMMUNOLOGY ACCORDING TO THE EUROPEAN
BOARD OF UEMS Gerhard Zlabinger, Austria
17.00 – 17.30
IMMUNOLOGY RESEARCH PROJECTS FOR BEGINNERS - HOW TO APPLY AND GET
FINANCE M. Murdjeva, Bulgaria
17.30 – 18.00
APPLYING FOR INTERNATIONAL FUNDING: EFIS OFFERS A. Erdei, Hungary
THE FACULTY
Dr. Massimo Amicosante, PhD
PhD in immunology
Associate Professorship of General Pathology and Clinical Pathology
(Italian Ministry of University, Research and Education – 2014)
Assistant Professor Department of Biomedicine and Prevention,
University Tor Vergata, Via Montpellier 1, 00133, Rome, Italy
e-mail: [email protected]
Prof. Jean-Marc Cavaillon,
Professor, Dr.Sc. , Cytokines & Inflammation Unit,
Institut Pasteur, 28 rue Dr. Roux, 75015, Paris, France
[email protected]
Prof. Anna Erdei, PhD
Department of Immunology,
University L. Eotvos,
Pazmany Peter s. 1/C
1117 Budapest, Hungary
[email protected]
Srini Kaveri, PhD
INSERM U872 Equipe 16
Immunopathology and Therapeutic Immuno-Intervention,
Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers, Paris, France
[email protected]
Prof. Marianna Murdjeva, MD, PhD
Specialist in Microbiology and Clinical Immunology
Head, Department of Microbiology and Immunology
Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Plovdiv 4000, 15A Vassil Aprilov blvd
[email protected]
Prof. Maria H. Nikolova, MD, DSc
Specialist in Clinical Immunology
Head, Department of Immunology and Allergy
Reference laboratory of Immunology
National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases,
Yanko Sakazov St.26, 1504 Sofia, Bulgaria
[email protected]
Prof. Gerhard J. Zlabinger,
Institute of Immunology, Center for Pathophysiology,
Infectiology and Immunology, Vienna, Austria
Prof. Anastasiya Mihaylova, PhD
Department of Clinical Immunology
University Hospital “Alexandrovska”, Sofia, Bulgaria
[email protected]
Prof. Victoria Sarafian, MD, PhD, DMSc
Professor of Immunology
Specialist in Medical Biology and in Clinical Immunology
Head of Department of Medical Biology
Medical University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria
Assoc. Prof. Andrey Tchorbanov, PhD
Laboratory of Experimental Immunology
Department of Immunology
Institute of Microbiology,
Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,
26 Acad. Georgi Bonchev St. 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
[email protected]
Prof. Tchavdar Vassilev, MD, DMSc
Department of Immunology
Stephan Angeloff Institute of Microbiology,
26 Acad. Georgi Bonchev St. 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
[email protected]
THE LECTURES
PLASTICITY AND UNCERTAINTY IN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Tchavdar Vassilev
Immunology textbooks tend to present the immune response as a quite simple and predictable
sequence of events. What happens in real life is more complex. This short lecture will focus on the
ability of cells and molecules of the immune system to undergo dramatic and quite unexpected
changes during adaptive- or innate types of immune responses: a) B cells change often the light or
heavy chains of their immunoglobulin receptors and thus their antigen-binding specificity and
could even repeat this modification several times during the individual cell’s lifetime; b) the
strongly pro-inflammatory Th17 cells could under certain circumstances become regulatory (antiinflammatory); c) some circulating immunoglobulins exposed in vivo to aggressive molecules may
change their antigen-binding properties and become polyspecific, etc. The role of this plasticity of
cells and molecules will be discussed.
PARAMETERS INFLUENCING THE IMMUNE RESPONSE
Jean-Marc Cavaillon
Our life and our health are not only under the control of our genes, but many events linked to our
behavior and our environment have profound effects on them. Similarly, a large number of actions
greatly modify the performance of our immune cells. It starts at birth, which can occur through
either vaginal delivery or after caesarean: as a consequence, the acquisition and the nature of the
initial microbiota in newborns will be different. This is probably one of the reasons for the
moderate risk increase for allergic diseases observed in children born after caesarean. This
observation is reminiscent of the hygiene hypothesis that suggest that sterile and too clean
environment after birth favors the occurrence of allergic diseases. It is also known that immune
cells of axenic (germ-free) mice are not fully mature in the absence of gut and skin microbiota. The
nature of individual microbiota is itself greatly influenced by the nutrients, and the beneficial
effects of probiotics have been recognized since the pioneer work of E. Metchnikoff. Similarly, fish
n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids or vitamin D have potent immunomodulatory properties. Of course,
the genetic polymorphism greatly influence the quality of the immune response differing from one
individual to another or from one mouse strain to another. Of note, heritability of premature death
due to infection is higher than any death due to other causes. However, single nucleotide
polymorphisms (SNP) are not sufficient to explain inter-individual heterogeneity and other events
that end to epigenetic modifications can modify the relative influence of the individual SNP. Gender
is the most important genetic difference between individuals and sexual hormones have also a
great influence on immune cells, with testosterone favoring inflammatory reaction while estradiol
displays protective properties. Ageing is associated with modification of the immune cell counts
and reactivity, leading to modified responsiveness of old people as compared to that of adult. The
immune system is closely associated with both central and peripheral nervous system, and immune
cells display receptors for neuromediators and can themselves produce certain neuromediators.
Then, as expected, any events leading to the release of different neuromediators will affect the
behavior of immune cells; this is particularly the case of the stress. The sequence of signals received
by an immune cell leads to different responses, illustrating that timing is an important issue.
Similarly, circadian rhythms are associated with different levels of cellular responsiveness
throughout the day and night. Importantly, the same immune cells are strongly influenced by their
local microenvironment. For example, macrophages present in spleen, liver (Kupffer cells), brain
(microglial cells), bone marrow, lungs (alveolar macrophages), gut, peritoneal cavity and blood
monocytes are different phagocytic cells with different receptors and different properties.
Accordingly, the nature of the immune response is greatly dependent on its compartmentalization.
Other events that influence the observations of the functions of the immune cells are consecutive to
different parameters used in in vitro experiments (nature of culture medium, nature of additive
serum, nature of plastic, time of incubation…). Similar discrepancies can be consecutive to in vivo
experiments since the nature of the animal models may generate totally opposite results. Mice
largely used in immunology (15 millions/year in USA, 7 millions per year in Europe) are far to
mimic the human immune system and human pathologies. Of note, their high resistant to infection
and to microbial toxins leads to major differences with humans. In conclusion, the immune system
is greatly under influence and the quality of the response of the immune cells is under the control of
many non-immunological parameters.
‘THE IMMUNE SYSTEM: FRIEND OR FOE?’
Srini Kaveri
Every day, in our body, millions of cells take birth, communicate with each other, generate many
substances and some of them die, all to ensure the maintenance of the well being of the organism.
Some of these cells have an important task – that of sentinels. The immune system through its cells
and molecules protects us from external pathogens (bacteria, virus, fungus, parasites) and internal
unwanted invasion, such as when our own cells reproduce abnormally to form cancers. The system
of gendarmerie is extremely powerful and is regulated to perfection to fight specifically against the
invading pathogens but not body own tissues and cells. However, the same system of sentinel turns
out to become aggressive against our own organs – leading to most dreadful autoimmune diseases
such as diabetes, arthritis, hepatitis, multiple sclerosis, when there is dysregulation of immune
system. What are the causes for this dysregulation? What role does genetics, or environment play in
this dysregulation? What are the current therapeutic approaches for the treatment of autoimmune
diseases?
AUTOIMMUNITY – KEY FACTS AND PARADOXES
Marianna Murdjeva
The present lecture focuses on basic terms and definitions on autoimmunity and autoimmune
disorders, the main facts about evolution of autoimmunity ideas, the basis of immunological
tolerance and the mechanisms that break it, types of autoimmune reactions and Th polarization of
the autoimmune response, the role of autoantibodies in the diagnostics of autoimmune diseases
and the basic principles of their treatment. The evolution of autoimmunity ideas, initiated by Paul
Erlich with his “Horror autotoxicus”, followed by clonal-selection theory of Burnett, established
gradually the present conception that autoreactive cells and molecules are found normally in the
immune system repertoire. The two sides of the “coin” - autoimmunity and immunological
tolerance, are discussed in brief. Several immunological paradoxes are found in autoimmunity: 1/
the normal presentation of autoreactive cells and autoantibodies in the immune repertoire, 2/ the
polyclonal activation of the immune cells, 3/ the change in the paradigm of immune system’s
functions; 4/ autoreactive T cells. The battle between natural and “pathogenic” autoantibodies
represents the immune struggle between good and evil and is the essence of autoimmunity.
However, the autoantibodies are the main diagnostic molecules for detection and prognosis of the
autoimmune process and improvement of their methods and tests is a key point in autoimmune
diagnostics. Various treatment approaches in autoimmune disorders are presented: metabolic
control, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic drugs, plasmapheresis or plasma exchange, IVIG, cytokines
and inhibitors, etc.
IMMUNOBIOLOGY OF TRANSPLANTATION
Anastassia Mihaylova
Throughout history people have always been intrigued by the possibilities of the transplantation of
organs and tissues from one body to another but the clinical transplant practice began few decades
ago. Development of the field of organ and tissue transplantation has accelerated remarkably since
the discovery of the human major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Nowadays transplantation
has therapeutic applications not only for patients experiencing end-stage organ failure, but also in
other clinical settings, such as malignancies and immune deficiencies. However, the immune system
remains a major barrier to a successful transplant outcome. This lecture will focus on the
fundamental concepts in transplant immunology: histocompatibility antigens and their role in
transplantation, types of grafts, molecular basis for alloreactivity, immune mechanisms of allograft
rejection and graft versus host reaction, immune tolerance. The current methodological approaches
for tissue typing and compatibility evaluation will be also discussed.
FLOW CYTOMETRY: MAKING THE BEST OF IT
Maria Nikolova, Bulgaria
Although almost 50 years old now, flow cytometry is still as a cutting-edge technology in the field of
single-cell analysis. The concept of monoclonal antibody reagents, the development of high-quality
fluorochromes, and the construction of multi-laser digitalized cytometers have made possible the
routine simultaneous evaluation of over 20 parameters per cell, and the high speed robust analysis
of extremely rare events. The “happy marriage” between flow cytometry and immunology has
brought to a phenomenal accumulation of knowledge about lymphocyte heterogeneity and
functions. Deciphering the plasticity of CD4 T cells, defining “immune risk profiles”, or…doing
epigenetics by flow are among the newest exciting applications. Yet, the mere fact of using flow
cytometry is no guarantee of success. The obligatory steps to follow in any flow cytometry
experiment: the ABC’s of choosing reagents, constructing a panel, setting controls, analyzing and
presenting data will be discussed. In addition, the most important information and training sources
for a flow beginner will be highlighted.
MOUSE MODELS IN IMMUNOLOGY
A.ndrey Tchorbanov
Experimental therapy with newly developed drugs in humans is limited by technical and ethical
restrictions. In contrast, studies in mouse models can circumvent some of these limitations.
Mouse models in immunology are a tool for understanding human diseases. Mice are the mainstay
of in vivo immunological experimentation and in many respects they mirror human biology
remarkably well. This conservation of function is reflected in recent reports on the sequencing of
both the human and mice genomes, which reveal that to date only 300 or so genes appear to be
unique to one species or the other. Despite this conservation there exist significant differences
between mice and humans in immune system development, activation, and response to challenge,
in both the innate and adaptive arms. However, because there are so many parallels there has been
a tendency to ignore differences and in many cases, perhaps, make the assumption that what is true
in mice is necessarily true in humans. By making such assumptions we run the risk of overlooking
aspects of human immunology that do not occur, or cannot be modeled, in mice. Included in this
subset will be differences that may preclude a successful preclinical trial in mice becoming a
successful clinical trial in human.
SCID (severe combined immunodeficient) mice tolerate normal human lymphoid cells due to a
mutation affecting their recombinase system and resulting in mature T- and B- cell deficiency. SCID
mice are perfect recipients and reconstituted with purified peripheral mononuclear cells from
patients could develop symptoms specific for human diseases.
IMMUNOINFORMATICS IN THE “-OMIC” ERA
Massimo Amicosante
With the incredible expanding number of genomic information, both for pathogens and for
immune-related genes in vertebrate host, together with the large dataset of structures, epitope
sequences and immune based database, it is becoming more and more important for scientists to
approach at the problem with large view and perspectives.
Since the terms „immunomics” and „immunome” have been created few years ago following
examples in other life science fields, this was principally related to the computational
determination of epitopes in sequences. Computational tools allow the analysis of thousands of
protein sequences collected from database libraries and the definition of potential peptide T-cell
epitopes that can be recognised by the most relevant and common HLA alleles in the target
population or worldwide. Further, the antigen processing rules can be used to improve the quality
of T-cell antigens selected. Similarly, both continuous and discontinuous B-cell epitopes could be
efficiently determined. Thus, target antigens can be identified in silico and used in different areas of
immunology, reducing up to 99% the wet-lab screening needs.
In addition, the large availability of the immune response associated protein receptor 3D structures
is opening new possibility in the area of computational immunology, allowing the analysis of
complex interactions and role in modulating immune response. This is the case of the HLA class I
molecules that, a part playing the key role in interacting with the TCR, is interacting with KIR and
LIR receptors in different cells. An emerging role for the HLA-bound peptide in modulating the
interaction with these receptors and immune response, is suggesting that the so called “innate
immune response” is presenting a certain grade of specificity in the recognition. This opens the
possibility to modulate this important response with appropriate peptide reagents and controlling
the early critical phases of immune responses against pathogens, or in cancer or immune disorders
where the role played by the cells bearing these receptors is critical.
THE INSTRUCTIVE ROLE OF THE INNATE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Anna Erdei
For the development of the adaptive immune response stimuli derived from the innate immune
system are required. The intimate crosstalk and a bidirectional cooperativity between the two
systems has broad implications for the immune response developing in physiological conditions
and also under various pathogenic conditions. The function of the elements of these two immune
systems and various mechanisms of their interactions will be discussed.
“DARE TO DREAM, DARE TO FLY”: ORGANIZATION AND CHALLENGES OF PhD EDUCATION
V. Sarafian
The lecture presents an overview on the challenges a PhD student in biomedicine faces. The profiles
of the successful PhD student and the good supervisor are presented. The motivation, qualities and
skills each PhD candidate should develop are discussed. A short history of doctoral education is
traced together with the modern concepts for changing the mindset, independence, creativity and
community thinking. Examples of good practice and a focus on the outcomes of PhD education are
discussed. A lecture based on personal and shared experience providing new insights and
inspiration for all quality oriented PhD students.
THE STUDENTS
1. Dzhemal Moten, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Biology, Plovdiv University “Paisii
Hilendarski”
2. Shina Pashova, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biology and
Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov.
3. Andrey Velichkov, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biology and
Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov".
4. Zhivka Kostova, PhD student, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Biology, Plovdiv University
“Paisii Hilendarski”.
5. Kristiana Dobrikova, undergraduate student, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, Faculty
of Biology and National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.
6. Dr. Martyn Nedyalkov, Medical Doctor, PhD student, National Center of Infectious and
Parasitic Diseases, Department of Immunology and Allergy.
7. Kameliya Vinketova, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biology and
Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov.
8. Valeriya Gyurkovska, PhD, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Department of Immunology,
Institute of Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
9. Lyudmila Belenska-Todorova, PhD student, Sofia Univesity “St. Kliment Ohridski” Medical
faculty.
10. Kiril Kolev, undergraduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
11. Snejana Kestendjieva, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biology and
Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov".
12. Elena Stoyanova, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biology and
Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov".
13. Silvina Zapryanova, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Science, Institute of Biology and
Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov".
14. Mariya Muhtarova, PhD, Assistant professor at National Center of Infectious and Parasitic
Diseases, Department of Immunology and Allergy.
15. Rumiana Drenska, PhD, Medical Doctor, University Multi-profile Hospital for Active Medical
Treatment and Emergency Medicine “N. I. Pirogov”.
16. Yana Feodorova, PhD student, Assistant professor, Department of Medical Biology, Medical
University – Plovdiv.
17. Elina Avramska, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biology and
Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov".
18. Tsvetelina Velikova, Resident at the Laboratory of Clinical Immunology at University
Hospital “St. Ivan Rilski”.
19. Maria Kazakova, PhD, Assistant-professor, Medical Biology at Department of Medical
Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University-Plovdiv.
20. Boryana Petkova, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences- Institute of Biology and
Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov".
21. Marina Alexandrova, PhD student, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases,
Department of Immunology and Allergy.
22. Eleonora Kaneva, Biologist, Department of Parasitology and Tropical Medicine, National
Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases.
23. Kristiyan Kanev, assistant professor, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Biology
and Immunology of Reproduction "Acad. Kiril Bratanov".
24. Maya Hadzhieva, PhD Student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
“Stephan Angeloff”.
25. Luiza Keremidchieva, undergraduate student, Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St.
Kliment Ohridski”.
26. Milena Todorova, graduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
27. Nelly Delcheva, undergraduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
28. Slav Slavov, undergraduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
29. Gergana Todorova-Nikolova, PhD student, University Hospital of Endocrinology "Acad. Ivan
Penchev ".
30. Maria Mihailova, PhD student, University Hospital of Endocrinology "Acad. Ivan Penchev".
31. Mihaela Georgieva, undergraduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
32. Natalya Stoyanova, graduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
33. Pavlina Sredkova, PhD student, Plovdiv University “Paisii Hilendarski”.
34. Ivan Pavlov, PhD student, University Hospital “Aleksanrovska’’.
35. Petroslav Chipinski, graduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
36. Lora Dyakova, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Neurobiology.
37. Marina Dimcheva, undergraduate student, Medical Faculty, Sofia University “St. Kliment
Ohridski”.
38. Nikola Simeonov, undergraduate student, Medical Faculty, Sofia University “St. Kliment
Ohridski”.
39. Iva Ivanova, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
“Stephan Angeloff”.
40. Tsvetelin Lukanov, PhD student, University Hospital “Alexandrovska”, Department of
Clinical Immunology.
41. Valentina Atanasova, PhD, University Hospital “Alexandrovska”, Department of Clinical
Immunology.
42. Spaska Lesichkova, Medical Doctor, University Hospital “Alexandrovska”, Department of
Clinical Immunology.
43. Ivaylo Balabanov, graduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”.
44. Kamelia Velcheva, undergraduate student, Trakia University, Stara Zagora.
45. Georgi Semovski, undergraduate student, Medical Faculty, Sofia University “St. Kliment
Ohridski”.
46. Silviya Bradyanova, graduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”, Department of Immunology.
47. Alba Grifoni, PhD, Department of Biology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy.
48. Violeta Kostadinova, undergraduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”, Department of Immunology.
49. Desislava Hlebarska, graduate student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of
Microbiology “Stephan Angeloff”, Department of Immunology.
50. Abdulkadir Abudalleh, PhD, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Experimental
Morphology Pathology and Anthropology with Museum.
51. Maria Mutafchieva, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Oral Pathology
Department, Medical University Plovdiv.
52. Maria Boyadzhieva, Medical Doctor, PhD, Clinical Center of Endocrinology, Medical
University.
53. Marin Zhelezov, undergraduate student, Medical University of Varna.
54. Cveta Kalinova, undergraduate student, Medical University of Varna.
55. Iliyan Manoylov, PhD student, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Microbiology
“Stephan Angeloff”.
56. Trifon Chervenkov, Medical Doctor, Medical University of Varna.
57. Ivaylo Dankov, undergraduate student, Medical Faculty, Sofia University “St. Kliment
Ohridski”.
58. Mila Dukova, postgraduate student, National Genetic Laboratory, University Obstetrics and
Gynecology Hospital “Maichin Dom”.
59. Petya Ganova, PhD student, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases
60. Dimiter Enchev, postgraduate student, University Hospital “Alexandrovska”.
61. Milena Draganova-Filipova, PhD, Assistant Professor, Medical University – Plovdiv.
62. Rumyana Susurkova, Graduate student, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”,
63. Cvetelina Kutleva, Graduate student, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”,
WHY IMMUNOLOGY…
“ Many diseases in humans and animals are caused by infections and
disorders of the immune system… I think, there are professional
development opportunities in this area, so I focused my interest in
immunology”.
“…. immunology is a puzzle. How does the solving of this puzzle work?
We collect up as many clues as we can, we make a guess, we do an
experiment and we try to figure out whether our idea was correct. We
compare what we thought would happen to what did happen. We have
tools we can use. And we have rules for addressing these puzzles. We
have several paths that others have taken before us that guide our
way…If you could jump in and try out these tools, and attempt a few of
the puzzles yourself, then you would understand how immunology works.
You would experience the fun! You would play immunology… And you will
fall in love with it, too!”
“ Immunology … gives me the answers to the questions of my
childhood, it makes me ask new questions, but most of all it makes me
want to be the one who will find the answers to unresolved problems.”
“There is something about the complexity and the harmony of the
immune system that inspires scientists. Studying and understanding
the immune system can affect our everyday life and the way we
protect ourselves.”
“ In an age of overspecialization in medicine, where it is becoming more
and more difficult to grasp it in wholeness, immunology stands out by
making connections between disciplines and concepts. For example, the
new field of the human microbiome gives a fresh new look at the causes
and mechanisms by which the immune systems learns and matures and
their implications in understanding and, hopefully, managing key social
diseases like asthma, autoimmune diseases and even depression and
autism.”
“I think that the immune system plays a central role in orchestrating
and conducting the body’s molecular symphony.”
“The rapid development of immunology perpetually astonishes us and
like the Alice in Wonderland’s Red Queen said: “it takes all the running
you can do, to keep in the same place, if you want to get somewhere
else, you must run at least twice as fast as that!”
“ I was fascinated by the coherency , the logical connections between
each and every part that I read about, I was enchanted by this genius
machine that works all the time, to ensure our undisturbed by
pathogens life.”
“I believe it is important to understand the immune system because it
could be crucial for the survival of humanity”