It is with great pleasure that we invite you to the 1st Meeting on Systemic Autoimmune Diseases and Inflammation: Unmet Clinical Needs Guide Clinical-Translational and Basic Research set to take place in October 12 and 13, 2034, in the War Museum’s Auditorium, conveniently located in downtown Athens. This 2-day meeting aims to address recent advances in clinical, translational, and basic research in autoimmunity and inflammation and, therefore is a venue where both rheumatologists and other clinical scientists can meet and interact with basic scientists. 

In recent years, the use of targeted treatments for these diseases along with the continuous efforts to identify clinically useful biomarkers, led to a closer interaction between physicians and basic scientists of various disciplines. This meeting promises to be an enriching experience, bringing together the latest advances in laboratory research and clinical studies, employing a dynamic "bench to bedside" approach. Significant findings provided by clinical, translational and basic studies regarding pathogenetic aspects, classification and treatment of patients with chronic autoimmune diseases, will be presented and discussed by eminent scientists from Greece and abroad. High-throughput techniques coupled with robust clinical information should be able to provide new treatment targets and next generation biomarkers, gaining new insights on diagnosis and treatment and, eventually, improving patients’ outcomes. 

Our meeting will be a forum for the exchange of ideas and insights. Furthermore, the floor will also be given to young fellows who are going to present and discuss their latest unpublished or published contributions in premium journals of internal medicine/rheumatology/immunology. The meeting will also provide the opportunity to young PhD candidates to engage with senior investigators, from Greece and abroad, during our "Work in Progress" session. Least, but not last, students of the Medical School at both pre-graduate and Master level can also participate, benefitting from a unique opportunity to get exposed to state-of-the-art research performed in different laboratories in Greece and abroad. 

We hope you will enjoy the scientific program, as well as, the wonderful and hospitable city of Athens. 
We are looking forward to seeing you all in Athens. 

The Chairpersons
Athanasios G. Tzioufas MD, PhD and Evangelsos Andreakos PhD