The Allergy School on the Clinical Impact and Mechanisms of Infections in Allergy took place in Edinburgh (UK) on 15–18 September 2011. The EAACI Infections and Allergy Interest Group and the University of Edinburgh undertook the organisation of this conference and carried it out very successfully.

The first day started with a short opening talk and a warm welcome from EAACI President Prof. Cezmi Akdis and the chair of the EAACI Infection and Allergy Interest Group, Prof. Jurgen Schwarze. A really interesting and interactive session took place, attempting to investigate the mechanisms that may offer protection from allergic disease by pathogens and commensals. The second day featured a fully educational programme on the role of viruses and bacteria in allergy and asthma development. Between the sessions, oral presentations from young researchers in the field gave the audience the opportunity to share new information and to interact more closely with the speakers. The third day was devoted to vaccination and how this may act as a trigger or as protection against allergy development and further investigation of several mechanisms by which viruses and bacteria lead to allergic phenotype.

The conference ended with interesting talks on the role of parasites in allergy and some helpful advice on starting our own research on Allergy, a session that might affect not only junior researchers in the field but also mentors attending the session.

In addition to the high quality of the Scientific Programme, the conference gave everybody the opportunity to experience many aspects of Scottish culture. From the visit to Edinburgh Castle, the walking tour to the magnificent Arthur’s Seat, ending up with dining, dancing, or exploring traditional pub life in Edinburgh, this programme was just as it should be. Distinguished researchers meeting juniors trying to explore scientific mechanisms and having a really nice time – that could be the report of this school in just a few words.

Congratulations to the organisers, the lecturers, and the participants. We all had a great time.

Heidi Makrinioti