Baltic and Polish School of Immunology in Vilnius: Between Scientific Ideas and Cultural Dialogue

The Baltic and Polish School of Immunology (BPSI 2025), organised by researchers from Vilnius University Life Sciences Centre (VU LSC) together with the Lithuanian Society for Immunology, brought together nearly one hundred young scientists from Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Poland, and Ukraine this year. The event placed particular emphasis on four key topics: host-pathogen interactions, primary immunodeficiencies, sterile inflammation, and cancer immunology.

“These topics were chosen for a reason – they represent areas where researchers in our region are actively working, which naturally opens doors for collaboration,” explained the event organiser, Professor Aurelija Žvirblienė, a researcher at VU LSC and president of the Lithuanian Society for Immunology. Subjects such as bone marrow transplantation, diagnostics of rare immunodeficiencies, and the study of autoimmune and infectious diseases are not only highly relevant across the Baltic countries but also require shared resources and knowledge exchange among specialists in neighbouring nations.

During the plenary sessions, participants attended presentations on the latest advancements in immunology – ranging from fundamental studies linking Epstein-Barr virus infection to multiple sclerosis or DNA damage to immune system activation to cancer immune response and clinical aspects of primary immunodeficiencies.

“Speakers were invited not on the basis of prior collaborations but for the relevance of their research – we read their publications and invited them to contribute to the program. In this way, we were able to assemble a group of speakers whose topics matched the needs of our audience. Professors Christian Münz, Nelson Gekara, Manfred Hönig, and Sven Brandau are just a few names from the list of our 19 invited immunologists. We highly appreciate their contribution to the scientific excellence of the event. The programme was structured so that expert immunologists gave the lectures while younger researchers were provided with special short talks and poster sessions. This approach helped maintain a clear format for the school, distinguishing the teaching component from participant presentations,” said Prof A. Žvirblienė.

A particular highlight of the school was the round-table discussion on hyperpecialization and interdisciplinarity in science. The discussion brought together scientists and experts in science philosophy and science communication, including moderator Elizabet Beržanskytė – formerly a student of molecular biology, now a science journalist.

Participants debated how to preserve broad perspectives and foster cross-disciplinary dialogue at a time when research is becoming increasingly specialised. A historical example was recalled – that of Jędrzej Śniadecki, a chemist and physician who worked at Vilnius University 200 years ago and whose work exemplified the idea of interdisciplinarity. One strong theme that emerged was the necessity of a holistic approach not only due to scientific advancement but also in response to global challenges like climate change. These problems extend beyond any one discipline, and solutions require collaboration across diverse scientific fields. Participants agreed on the need to educate future researchers to think broadly, even amid growing specialisation driven by technological progress.

The event was aimed at students of life and medical sciences, PhD candidates, and early-career researchers. This allowed to meet researchers and medical doctors, promoting a meaningful interdisciplinary dialogue. One of the school’s main goals was to strengthen understanding of the importance of immunology in modern medicine. At the same time, the event encouraged active participation by young researchers, who were given the opportunity to present their work in poster and short talk sessions, receive feedback from experts, and compete for awards. Prizes were established by the Future Biomedicine Fund, “TEVA Baltics”, and “Linea Libera”, while audience favourites in the short talk session were selected by public vote.

Another significant contribution came in the form of financial support for participants from other countries. The European Federation of Immunological Societies provided travel grants that enabled early-career scientists from abroad to attend the school in Vilnius. Organisers decided to allocate the majority of this support to participants from Ukraine, resulting in a strong delegation from the country. Ukrainian participants emphasised that they felt genuine support from Lithuania – both academically and personally – and that this is highly valuable during such a challenging time.

Organisers aimed for the school to offer not only a rich scientific programme but also to highlight the cultural context of Lithuania and the city of Vilnius, contributing to a well-rounded experience – one that would strengthen professional ties and promote interpersonal connection. On the first day of the event, this goal was supported by a “Future Cello” concert, where Justas Kulikauskas combined modern electronic music with cello performance, creating a compelling and immersive atmosphere. On the second day, a guided tour to Vilnius Old Town offered international participants the chance to discover the city’s historical and architectural heritage.

According to Prof A. Žvirblienė, the event was both an intellectual and personal encounter: “I’m proud that such a high-level scientific event was organised through our own efforts. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who contributed to this event – sponsors, volunteers, and the entire organising team. It was an important experience for our community – it showed that we can be active participants in the European scientific space and foster regional collaboration.”

The Baltic-Polish School of Immunology (BPSI 2025) continues a tradition started in 1992 by the German Society for Immunology. Held during the early years of Lithuania’s regained independence, the original school played a crucial role for young scientists seeking knowledge and connections with Western academia. The last such school was held in 2005, and in 2023 – after nearly two decades – the tradition was revived by Estonian organisers, involving the Baltic countries and Poland.

Next year, the regional immunology school is planned to be hosted by the Latvian Society for Immunology. The organisers hope that this event will become an annual tradition, fostering regional collaboration in immunology and life sciences.