1. Scientific Background and Significance
Microglia are the primary resident macrophages of the brain. They colonize the central nervous system during embryonic development and play a crucial role in its development and physiological functioning. As the orchestrators of the neuroinflammatory response, microglia also play a key role in neurological diseases. Given the current limited therapeutic arsenal in this field, their study represents an important opportunity to develop innovative therapeutic strategies and is generating growing interest among healthcare professionals and the pharmaceutical industry.
The study of microglial cells sits at the intersection of multiple disciplinary fields, encompassing neuroscience, immunology, development, physiology, aging, and neurology. This cross-disciplinary nature makes microglial research both scientifically rich and strategically critical for advancing our understanding of brain health and disease.
2. History and Rationale of the Research Network
In 2019, fully aware of the critical importance of this research field and faced with intense international competition, our laboratories took the initiative to establish a Research Group (GDR) to unite the national scientific community. The primary objective was to foster the exchange of ideas, concepts, expertise, and technological approaches among the leading national players in the field.
With institutional support, we strengthened collaboration and cooperation among our different laboratories, collectively addressing the complex challenges associated with understanding the role of these cells. This GDR was subsequently transformed into a Thematic Network (RT) in 2025 and renewed for a further three-year period in 2026 under the designation "Microglia, Neuroinflammation and Immunity (MNI)".
3. Meeting Description and Scientific Programme
The biennial in-person meetings of the GDR and subsequently the RT-MNI have been a decisive factor in structuring our community. This 4th edition continues to pursue the objective of fostering exchanges among the different members. The scientific programme is organized as follows:
Opening Keynote Lecture: The meeting will open with a keynote lecture delivered by Lyn Van-Olst (Northwestern University, Chicago).
Thematic Sessions: The meeting will be organized around three sessions addressing key emerging topics in the field. Each session will open with a plenary lecture delivered by a leading expert, followed by three short communications from early-career researchers within our community, selected through abstract review process.
Poster Session: The poster session will provide a privileged opportunity for students and postdoctoral researchers to interact with invited speakers and other researchers, promote their work, and expand their professional networks.
Round Table: A dedicated round table will provide a forum for discussing upcoming initiatives and the future development of the RT-MNI network.
Networking Opportunities: The breaks between sessions at the welcoming venue of the Domaine du Lazaret are expected to facilitate informal exchanges and contribute to the emergence of new collaborative projects.
4. Expected Impact and Outcomes
This meeting will reinforce the national microglia research community at a time of intense international competition, providing a platform for knowledge transfer, methodological innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The event will particularly benefit the next generation of researchers through structured mentoring interactions with senior scientists and invited speakers.
The outcomes of the meeting are expected to contribute directly to the development of innovative therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases, an area of significant unmet medical need and growing pharmaceutical interest. By convening the leading national experts in this field alongside promising early-career scientists, the RT-MNI meeting will help maintain and strengthen France's position at the forefront of international microglial research.
