Dear colleagues & friends,

On behalf of the German Society of Immunology (DGfI) and the Austrian Society for Allergology & Immunology (ÖGAI), we are pleased to invite you to our joint annual meeting in Hannover, from September 7^th to 10^th 2022 at Hannover Medical School. With this upcoming joint meeting, we would like to continue the series of successful joint meetings in 1995 and 2008 Vienna.

DGfI was founded in 1967 and ÖGAI, who celebrated its 50^th anniversary in 2021, shortly after. Both societies represent scientists and medical doctors interested in the physiology and pathophysiology of the immune system as well as clinical presentation, diagnostics and therapy of all immune related diseases including allergies. Our common goals are to bridge basic and clinical science to directly translate knowledge of immune mechanisms into improvement of therapy and prevention of immune dysfunction. Both societies promote education and career development of the next generation immunologists and foster scientific networks as well as interdisciplinary working groups specialized in immunological topics.

With this joint meeting in 2022, we not only follow a successful tradition, but we celebrate our 50^th annual meeting of the DGfI, together with the 48^th annual ÖGAI meeting. With our scientific program, we intend to bring basic immunology into the context of various diseases including allergy, autoimmunity, cancer transplantation and infections, of course with special attention to COVID-19.

Hannover Medical School (MHH) was founded, as DGfI, in 1967 in the city of the philosopher, mathematician and historian Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz, who somehow anticipated a modern health campus with his motto „unitas in diverstitate“ (united in diversity), „theoria cum praxi“ (theory with practice) and „commune bonum“ (the common good). MHH scientists and doctors are closely working together with colleagues of the Leibniz University Hannover, the Helmholtz Centre for Infectious Diseases (HZI) in Braunschweig and the Research Centres TWINCORE and NIFE. Research is supported by DFG-funded Collaborative Research Centers (CRC900, TRR127, TRR209, TRR298), Research Groups (KFO311, FOR2953, FOR2380) and the Centres of Excellence „RESIST“ and „Hearing 4 All“. Immunology is in the heart of all major clinical areas at MHH, i.e. Infection & Immunity, Transplantation & Regeneration and Biomedical Technology & Implants. In these disciplines, we join forces to be prepared for the future challenges of immunotherapy and personalized medicine. The Leibniz-spirit will enforce us to create a memorable scientific and social event for researchers, clinical scientists and clinicians, all unified by a strong interest in immune-driven diseases.

Together with the organizing committee, we are very much looking forward to welcome you all in Hannover.

Sincerely yours