EASL Bootcamp: bridging the gap between science & medicine in hepatology

This new format is designed to help scientists become familiar with clinical terminology, while also enabling clinicians to understand the principles of basic research, including experimental design, commonly used techniques (such as molecular biology, spatial biology and experimental models), and how to interpret scientific results.

The programme will cover essentials of clinical and experimental/translational hepatology. This will help clinicians becoming familiar with the basic principles of basic research, and scientists to understand the clinical aspect of the major liver diseases and familiarise with the clinical terminology.

In the final exercise, scientists and clinicians will be paired to collaboratively design a translational research project, integrating both clinical and basic science perspectives.

School Organisers:

Shilpa Chokshi
Robert de Knegt
Krista Rombouts
Luca Urbani

Please note that the programme is subject to change, and will be updated continuously up to the school event.

Aims

Help scientists become familiar with clinical terminology, while also enabling clinicians to understand the principles of basic research, including experimental design, commonly used techniques, and how to interpret scientific results.
Improve interdisciplinary communication.
Explore patient-centred implications of bench-based hepatology research and clinical innovation.
Collaboratively design a translational research study with clear relevance to both clinical and basic science domains.

Learning objectives

For Basic Scientists

Understand clinical terminology and diagnostic workflows in hepatology.
Interpret clinical data and outcomes in the context of patient relevance and treatment strategies.
Critically assess experimental models in relation to human liver disease pathophysiology, heterogeneity, and staging.
Explore the translational value of molecular targets and biomarkers.
Engage in interdisciplinary teamwork, appreciating the complexity of clinical decision-making and patient perspectives.

For Clinicians

Understand experimental design principles used in translational hepatology research.
Become familiar with laboratory techniques, including omics, imaging, in vitro/ex vivo and animal models.
Critically assess the evidence pipeline from preclinical studies to clinical application, including reproducibility and rigour.
Identify opportunities for research collaboration, including formulating testable hypotheses and integrating clinical insight.
Develop basic science literacy to engage meaningfully with researchers and evaluate experimental hepatology literature.

Top 3 reasons to attend

Transform your perspective. Step beyond your comfort zone: scientists will learn how patients are diagnosed and treated, while clinicians will gain hands-on insight into the experimental tools driving discovery.
Accelerate your career. Acquire the cross-disciplinary skills and translational mindset that funding bodies, journals, and research leaders increasingly expect from the next generation of hepatologists.
Join a community of future leaders. Build lasting collaborations with peers and mentors who share your ambition to shape the future of hepatology through innovation and integration.

Target audience

General

Individuals with solid grounding in either clinical or scientific hepatology, with a demonstrated interest in translational research and motivated to expand interdisciplinary understanding and engage in collaborative learning.

Open to late-stage clinical or scientific trainees and early-career professionals (typically within 0–6 years of completing their medical degree for clinicians or postgraduate degree for basic scientists).

Clinicians

Medical doctors (MD or equivalent) in specialist training (e.g., hepatology, gastroenterology) or up to 3 years post-specialisation.

Interest in gaining research experience and understanding scientific methodology.

Basic Scientists

PhD students, postdoctoral researchers.

Interest in clinical application and patient-oriented perspectives.

Criteria list

General

Individuals with solid grounding in either clinical or scientific hepatology, with a demonstrated interest in translational research and motivated to expand interdisciplinary understanding and engage in collaborative learning.
Open to late-stage clinical or scientific trainees and early-career professionals (typically within 0–6 years of completing their medical degree for clinicians or postgraduate degree for basic scientists).

Clinicians

Medical doctors (MD or equivalent) in specialist training (e.g., hepatology, gastroenterology) or up to 3 years post-specialisation.
Interest in gaining research experience and understanding scientific methodology.

Basic and Translational Scientists

PhD students, postdoctoral researchers.
Interest in clinical application and patient-oriented perspectives.