The Translational Medicine Explained (or ‘TMex’) course is a flagship of the EATRIS training activities for early career researchers wanting to learn more about the translational medicine landscape. In November 2023, the efforts of EATRIS, Bayer and the Enlight-ten+ project came together for 5 days of Translational discussions, games and challenges from academia, industry and everything in between.
Twenty-eight participants from all over Europe had the unique opportunity to learn about translational medicine, the industry and regulatory side of the process, possible career paths in translational medicine, and more. The course is designed for early career researchers in biomedical fields, including post-docs, PhD candidates, researchers and others. We also welcome patient representatives and research support staff to promote better collaboration and understanding on all levels.
This iteration of the Translational Medicine Explained (TMex) course hosted by Bayer in Berlin, featured how manufactured medicines are invented, tested, produced, packaged and distributed by a big pharma company, amongst many other topics.
After starting the week with a board game about drug development to get more familiar with the whole process, participants were guided into more detailed aspects by researchers from Bayer, such as complex cellular models and organs on-a-chip, toxicology, drug delivery, and Clinical Utility Index. A visit to the packaging unit and other facilities was of high interest to all students.
These deeply scientific considerations were completed with more transversal, yet just as important aspects, e.g. regulatory pathway, patient engagement and communication. As a very concrete scientific communication exercise, all participants brilliantly took on the challenge of explaining their research projects in a 3-minute pitch.
Career development, a crucial topic for young scientists, was the object of a specific session with the contributions of Bayer scientists and recruiter as well as alumni from previous editions of TMex.
The week was sprinkled with social activities, keeping spirits high and the atmosphere friendly and relaxed.
To make this event also friendly for the environment, efforts were made to lower the carbon footprint of the course by providing vegetarian and plant-based catering, keeping paper printing to a minimum, and encouraging participants to come by train rather than by plane by offering a special “green discount” on registration fees.
All in all, participants as well as speakers and organisers had a fun and fruitful week, and the EATRIS Training team is looking forward to welcoming a new cohort of students for the next edition of TMex in Barcelona in the autumn of 2024!
