The Summer School proposal by Prof. Peter ten Dijke (Dept. of Molecular Cell Biology, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands), entitled “Molecular Mechanisms in Cancer – Translating Discoveries into Personalised Therapies“, has been selected for funding by the Eurolife network.

The call for proposals for the second Eurolife Summer School resulted in three applications, accidentally all from LUMC. Finally, the proposal by Prof. Peter ten Dijke has been selected as it presents the most complete and high-level programme, includes intensive interaction with professors from other Eurolife partners (i.e. Karolinska Institute and Medical University of Innsbruck), as well as pitch presentations by the students, and targets one of the main Eurolife research themes (i.e. Oncology).

The 2018 Eurolife Summer School focusses on:

1. the molecular mechanisms that underlie cancer initiation and progression,
2. current limitations and challenges in cancer therapy, and
3. how cross-border research using novel tools and innovative technologies can lead to more effective personalized treatments.

An important facet will be the interrelationship between basic research and clinical medicine, and strategies and approaches to bring new discoveries into clinical practice.

Each of the nine Eurolife institutes can select up to three of their MSc/PhD students to join this Summer School. Eurolife will cover the attendance fee of 700 euro for these 27 participants (including accommodation and meals). LUMC is delighted to host the Eurolife Summer School in 2018 and to welcome MSc/PhD-students from all Eurolife institutes in Leiden next Summer.