From June 30 to July 11, 2025, the 12th annual Summer School of Experimental Surgery took place at the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University in Pilsen. This prestigious international educational event is traditionally organized by a team led by Václav Liška, whose research group is part of the NICR. The summer school offered approximately 30 medical students from around the world advanced training in experimental surgery, complemented by theoretical lectures and expert discussions.
Over twelve intensive days, participants gained practical experience in a wide range of surgical techniques, from basic sutures to vascular and microsurgical suturing and organ resection. The theoretical part of the program included lectures on anesthesiology, histology, imaging methods, biostatistics, tissue engineering, microbiology, and cancer disease, with Ondřej Slabý introducing participants to the field of precision oncology. Special attention was paid to the ethical aspects of working with experimental animals and to the principles of the 3Rs (Replacement, Reduction, and Refinement).
The summer school was enriched by the participation of a number of leading international experts, including Dr. Alessio Naccarati (Italy), Prof. Pierre-Alain Clavien (Switzerland), Dr. Monique Verstegen (Netherlands), Prof. Inge Herrmann (Switzerland), and Dr. Alexandre H. C. Anthis (Switzerland). Their lectures provided insight into the latest trends in regenerative medicine, the development of biocompatible materials, and advanced surgical approaches. The summer school also included a wide range of leisure and social activities, which created opportunities for informal meetings, networking, and getting to know the Czech environment, while contributing to the overall friendly and inspiring atmosphere of the entire course.
Feedback from both participants and lecturers confirmed that the Summer School of Experimental Surgery 2025 was once again an extremely beneficial educational platform for future physicians and researchers.
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