The largest lung disease conference in the world is back in person

It’s been three long years, but it’s finally back in person – the European Respiratory Society Congress (ERS), taking place this September. Several of Asthma + Lung UK’s research team will head to Barcelona for the conference this year. So, Angharad tells you a little bit more about what they’re hoping to get out of the event.

People from across the world will come together in September at ERS to discuss and plan new research ideas that could transform the way lung diseases are diagnosed and treated in the future. Lung diseases like asthma, COPD and pulmonary fibrosis are the third biggest killer in the UK, responsible for 20% of all deaths per year.

Our research team chat through what they’re looking forward to hearing more about at the conference.

Our funded research

Chinenye Chukwuadinula, Research Operations Officer is looking forward to meeting some of the charity’s own funded researchers. He says: “Attending the conference will help bring to life the work I do behind the scenes, which is to help researchers get the grants they need to do their fantastic research. I will now have the first opportunity to build a rapport that extends beyond emails and virtual meetings.”

One such researcher is Professor Kevin Blyth who is looking at chemotherapy resistance in people with mesothelioma.
This is a type of cancer caused by asbestos that can cause cancerous tumours to grow in the lining of the lungs, abdomen or heart.

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Supporting early career researchers

Ian Jarrold, Deputy Head of Research & Innovation is especially looking forward to learning about the latest advances in the lung disease diagnostics space, which will be the focus of the 2022-2023 grants round for the charity. Each year A+LUK screens hundreds of research proposals for the most cutting-edge ideas, awarding the most robust ideas up to 3 years of funding.

Ian is also particularly proud of the charity's commitment to supporting early career researchers through funding several travel bursaries this year. Ian says: “Events like ERS provide more than just an opportunity for researchers to share their latest findings, they also inspire respiratory experts at all stages of their career – offering the space for new ideas to flourish that help us move closer to the day when we can help treat more people with debilitating lung conditions.”

Latest research and innovation developments

Krisnah Poinasamy, Head of Research & Innovation Advocacy, is particularly keen to understand any shifts in the science around why asthma is worse for women. We already know women are more likely to have asthma, have more severe symptoms and are more likely to die from asthma. Yet despite this being the experience of many women around the world, we need much more investment in research to understand why this is. A+LUK wants to see this change. Krisnah says: “I want to see if there’s been any further developments in understanding why asthma is so much worse for women and push for greater investment where there is promising research that needs development.”

Dr Naomi Bennett-Steele, Senior Innovation Partnerships Officer, is hoping to boost her work with respiratory innovators. Naomi says: “The conference is also a great opportunity to hear about the latest tech being worked on by leading lung researchers and I’m hoping to horizon scan for the trends and technologies of the future, scoping out the potential to partner with some of these innovators.”

Return to in-person networking

The event is one of the world’s largest lung disease conferences and will see experts from around the globe come together and present their fascinating research.

Dr Erika Kennington, Head of Research and Innovation, is especially looking forward to having an in-person event again, with the opportunity to network with lung experts at all stages of their career. Erika says: “ERS brings together the greatest number of lung disease experts in the world. I’m looking forward to hearing their opinions on A+LUK’s research ambitions and what they think are the key areas to invest in.”

Freddie Stoker, Research and Innovation Advocacy Officer, having only met stakeholders online so far, says: “Finally an in-person conference! Where I can fully immerse myself in cutting-edge respiratory science.”

Want to stay up to date?

If you’d like to stay up to date with the team while they’re at the conference between 4-6 September and receive live updates, please follow @aluk_research on Twitter and @asthmaandlunguk on Instagram. The conference hashtag is #ERSCongress.

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