Neutro-NARPS

29/05/2026

PART A of the COST Action NEUTRO-NARPS Training School "Machine Learning Approaches for Hematological Disorder Diagnostics and Prognostics" has been successfully completed!

Over two days of interactive learning, participants explored how Machine Learning can transform the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment stratification of hematological disorders through the analysis of clinical, genomic, and biomedical data.

We were honored to host:
🔹 Dr Gabriel Alexander Vignolle (UCLA) presented the foundations of Machine Learning in Hematology, covering the complete ML workflow from data preprocessing and feature engineering to model selection, interpretation of predictive models in clinical practice, and ethical considerations in AI-driven healthcare.

🔹 Dr Andrea Cappozzo (Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milan) introduced advanced methodologies for analysing complex biomedical data, including supervised and unsupervised learning, mixed-effects modelling for multicentric studies, penalized estimation techniques for high-dimensional datasets, and synthetic applications in DNA methylation biomarker development.

🔹 Dr. Georgios Manikis (Hellenic Mediterranean University), who led a hands-on training session, providing participants with practical experience of different machine learning methodological scenarios using synthetic datasets in the context of KNIME.

A heartfelt thank you to all presenters, trainers, and participants for making this event a success. Special thanks to the WG3 leadership team for their dedication and excellent organization.

Together, we continue strengthening research capacity and fostering innovation in rare blood disease diagnostics and prognostics.

More information: https://neutro-narps.eu/ml-hematology/

24/05/2026

📘 The official Neutro-NARPS flyer is now available!

Discover the mission, scientific focus, and Working Groups of COST Action CA24124, a European network advancing research and patient support in Chronic Neutropenia through collaboration, innovation, and precision medicine.

🔗 https://neutro-narps.eu/flyer/

07/05/2026

The Neutro-NARPS member Eszter Hars, Founder & CEO, SDS Alliance, shares important news on SDS in May's Spotlight:
SDS Alliance has received a significant grant from the RTW Foundation — designated specifically for translational research in prime editing gene therapy for Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome.

SDS Alliance has received a significant grant from the RTW Foundation’s Rare Disease Acceleration Program, designated specifically for translational research...

06/05/2026

🎉 A great start for the community! Today we successfully launched our first Online Discussion Club (ODC) session within COST Action CA24124.

We were very happy to welcome more than 30 participants from 9 different countries, highlighting the strong interest and engagement of our growing network 🌍

A big thank you to Dr. Vasileios Kargas (University of Cambridge, UK) for the excellent presentation:
🔬 “New advances in cryo-Electron Microscopy to investigate the molecular basis of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS)”

The ODC initiative aims to provide a dynamic platform for young researchers to share their work, exchange ideas, receive feedback, and foster new collaborations across disciplines 🚀

Thank you to everyone who joined and contributed to the discussion - we are already looking forward to the next ODC session!

05/05/2026

📢 Call for Applications

The COST Action Neutro-NARPS (CA24124) invites applications for the 1st Young Researchers Workshop/Meeting & 2nd Working Groups Meeting

📍 Krakow, Poland | 🗓 3–5 September 2026
📌 Venue: Audytorium Maximum, Uniwersytet Jagielloński

This in-person event aims to bridge basic science and clinical practice, bringing together researchers, clinicians, and stakeholders working on chronic neutropenia. It will provide a dynamic platform for:
🔬 Knowledge exchange & presentation of new research
🤝 Networking and interdisciplinary collaboration
🚀 Development of innovative research approaches
🎓 Support of early-career and young researchers

The meeting will be held jointly with the
34th Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry (SCNIR) Meeting, offering additional opportunities for clinical engagement and collaboration.

👩‍🔬 Who can apply:

- Working Group members & researchers
- Young researchers (strongly encouraged)
- Applicants are invited to submit an abstract (oral/poster opportunities available)

💰 Funding:
Selected participants will receive travel reimbursement and daily allowance according to COST rules.

📅 Deadline: May 22, 2026
📢 Results announced by: May 29, 2026

👉 Apply here:
https://neutro-narps.eu/1st-young-researchers-2nd-wg-meetings-pre-registration/

👉 More info & full agenda:
https://neutro-narps.eu/1st-young-researchers-2nd-wg-meetings/

27/04/2026

📢 WEBINAR REMINDER

Just a reminder of our upcoming webinar organized by the chairs of WG-3:

🧠 Centralized vs. Federated Models in Medical Applications

🎤 Invited Speaker: Dr. Francesco Cremonesi
Research Engineer - AI in Medical Imaging, EPIONE Research Group
INRIA & University Côte d’Azur, France

📅 Date: Wednesday, 29 April 2026
🕓 Time: 16:00 - 17:00 (CET)

🔗 Join here: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/7781623506

🎯 Who should attend?
Researchers, clinicians, biologists, data scientists, students, patient groups, and advocacy communities

ℹ️ More information: https://neutro-narps.eu/centralized-vs-federated-models.../

Don’t miss it!

26/04/2026

➡️ Save the date!

On behalf of the group, we are pleased to announce the launch of a new networking initiative: the Online Discussion Club (ODC).

⚠️ 1st Online Discussion Club (ODC) by the Young Neutro-NARPS (COST Action CA24124)

📅 May 6th, 2026
⏰ 15:00 - 16:00 CEST
💻 Online (Zoom platform)

🔬 Topic:
New advances in cryo-Electron Microscopy to investigate the molecular basis of Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS)

🎤 Speaker:
Dr. Vasileios Kargas
Postdoctoral Researcher
Cambridge Institute of Medical Research (CIMR)
University of Cambridge, UK

🔗 More info: https://neutro-narps.eu/1st-online-discussion-club/

🌍 Organized within COST Action CA24124 - Neutro-NARPS

👉 Open to all members of the Action

💡 The ODC provides a dedicated platform for young members of the Neutro-NARPS network to present their ongoing or planned research projects through short online sessions open to all Action participants. The initiative aims to foster scientific exchange, encourage constructive feedback, and support the development of collaborations across institutions and disciplines.

🚀 We are strongly encouraging the Young researchers of our consortium, to participate and use this visibility platform.

21/04/2026

🌍 On April 22, we celebrate Earth Day and reflect on the importance of protecting our environment, ecosystems, and biodiversity. At the same time, we recognize that caring for the planet goes hand in hand with caring for human health.

🔬 Within the COST Neutro-NARPS community, our focus is to improve the lives of patients with chronic neutropenia through a better understanding of the disease, the development of new therapies, and close collaboration with patient organizations.

⚖️ Just as a healthy ecosystem depends on balance and resilience, the same does the human body. Patients with neutropenia often face challenges related to immune protection – reminding us how essential both environmental and biological systems are for overall well-being.

🤝 By working together – researchers, clinicians, and patient communities – we contribute not only to better treatments but also to a more sustainable and health-conscious future.

💚 Let us continue to protect both our planet and the most vulnerable among us.

On behalf of the Neutro-NARPS leadership team

08/04/2026

🌍 On World Health Day, we recognise that health means living well, not just being disease-free. 💙

🧬 For individuals with chronic (or congenital) neutropenia, daily life often involves increased risk of infections, ongoing monitoring, and a constant need for caution. ⚠️ However, the true impact of this condition goes beyond clinical parameters, affecting emotional well-being, social interactions, and overall quality of life.

🤝 Improving outcomes for these patients requires a patient-centred approach that includes education, supportive care, and open communication between patients and healthcare professionals.

🔬 While advances in research and clinical practice continue to improve the management of chronic neutropenia, placing quality of life at the centre of care remains essential.

🌐 Access to support networks, including organisations such as Neutro-NARPS and the Severe Chronic Neutropenia International Registry (SCNIR) as examples, plays an important role in providing education and community, reminding patients that they are not alone. 💬

💡 Empowering patients to actively participate in their care by staying informed, engaging in shared decision-making, and connecting with various initiatives is essential to ensuring that care reflects real needs.

💙 Through Neutro-NARPS, our main message is clear: we are dedicated to supporting the full spectrum of well-being for those living with chronic neutropenia, ensuring that quality of life remains our top priority alongside effective disease management.

COST - European Cooperation in Science and Technology
Neutro-NARPS

30/03/2026

🚀 Applications are now open!

Join the Neutro-NARPS Training School on
“Machine Learning Approaches & Analytical Methodologies for Hematological Disorder Diagnostics and Prognostics” 🧬

📅 Part A: 27-28 May 2026 (Machine Learning)
📅 Part B: 03-04 June 2026 (Statistical Methods)

This virtual Training School offers a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience in machine learning, data analytics, and statistical methodologies applied to rare hematological disorders such as neutropenia.

👩‍⚕️👨‍🔬 Open to researchers, clinicians, data scientists, students & more!

🗓 Deadline: April 27, 2026

👉 Apply now: https://neutro-narps.eu/ml-hematology/

COST - European Cooperation in Science and Technology