From 9 to 11 September 2026, EATRIS Slovenia and the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Pharmacy hosted the EATRIS-CONNECT Summer School “Personalised Medicine in the Digital Era” in Ljubljana, Slovenia.
The three-day training brought together 25 participants from 12 countries. Most participants came from academic or research organisations, creating a dynamic environment for discussion among early-career researchers and professionals working in biomedical and translational research.
The programme focused on how digital transformation is changing personalised medicine, from biomarker discovery and biobanking to artificial intelligence, multi-omics, data interoperability and digital tools for translational research. The opening day introduced the broader landscape of digital transformation in personalised medicine, including the evolution of biomarkers from bench to big data, ethical aspects of sensitive data and AI use, and FAIR data principles.
The second day placed a strong emphasis on patient engagement and digital transformation in biomarker discovery. Participants heard about the role of patients’ organisations and patient involvement in preclinical research, followed by a patient perspective on the benefits of digital transformation. The scientific sessions then continued with showcases on multi-omics profiling of induced pluripotent stem cell models, digital biomarkers, and integrated genomic and transcriptomic approaches for biomarker discovery.
The final day connected these topics with EATRIS digital resources and drug discovery approaches. Sessions introduced the EATRIS role in digital transformation in personalised medicine, the MultiOmics Toolbox and the EATRIS Digital Hub, followed by examples of data-driven drug discovery, drug repurposing and clinical translation. The programme concluded with an in silico drug repurposing workshop.
Interactive activities were an important part of the summer school. Participants took part in a FAIR data escape room, a hands-on workshop on generative AI tools for life scientists, demonstrations of EATRIS digital tools, group discussions and networking activities. These elements helped connect theoretical concepts with practical examples and encouraged exchange between participants, lecturers and organisers.
Participants were satisfied with the summer school and especially appreciated the interactive parts of the programme. In their comments, they highlighted the FAIR data escape room, practical workshops, case studies, networking opportunities, the overall atmosphere, and the hospitality of the University of Ljubljana and EATRIS coordinators as particularly valuable parts of the training.
The evaluation also indicated that the summer school helped participants broaden and deepen their knowledge, motivated them to further develop their expertise in personalised medicine and digital approaches, and supported their personal and professional development. All respondents stated that they would recommend the training to others.
The EATRIS-CONNECT Summer School in Ljubljana offered an intensive and engaging setting for learning, discussion and collaboration. By bringing together participants from different countries and research backgrounds, the event contributed to strengthening digital skills and building connections within the personalised medicine community.
Learn more about the event and EATRIS-CONNECT below:
