This research workshop program offered by the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (FAHZU) is designed to provide advanced training in rheumatology and immunology research. Led by Prof. LIN Jin, the program aims to equip early-career researchers and medical professionals with cutting-edge research skills and theoretical knowledge. The target group includes graduate students, research fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and clinicians with an interest in autoimmune diseases and rheumatic disorders

· Weekly mentorship meetings with Prof. LIN Jin and her research team.

· Access to advanced laboratory facilities for immunological and molecular research.

· Hands-on experience in clinical and translational research projects.

· Opportunities to publish research findings in high-impact journals.

· Participation in national and international conferences.

· Exposure to research areas such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), Sjögren's syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), idiopathic inflammatory myopathiesv(IIM) and vasculitis.

· Develop proficiency in immunopathology and the mechanisms underlying autoimmune diseases.

· Gain experience in laboratory techniques such as flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and single-cell RNA sequencing.

· Understand clinical trial design and translational research approaches.

· Cultivate scientific writing skills, including manuscript preparation and grant applications.

· Enhance critical thinking and data analysis skills.

8 weeks

Research Areas:

· Mechanisms of inflammation in Sjögren's syndrome.

· Inflammatory regulation in rheumatoid arthritis.

· Diagnosis and management of connective tissue diseases with interstitial lung disease.

· Biomarker discovery and immunopathology of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Ongoing Research Projects:

1. Inflammatory Regulation Mechanisms in Rheumatoid Arthritis – Exploring new therapeutic targets to control inflammation.

2. Diagnosis and Treatment of Interstitial Lung Disease in Connective Tissue Diseases – Identifying biomarkers and improving clinical outcomes.

Graduate students：

Enrolled in a Master's or Ph.D. program in biomedicine, immunology, or related fields.

Researcher fellows：

Advanced degree (M.Sc., M.D., Ph.D.) with prior research experience

Doctors：

M.D. with experience in rheumatology or related specialties

Postdocs ：

Ph.D. or M.D. with clinical/research training in immunology or related disciplines.

8-Week Training Schedule:

Week 1: Introduction & Orientation

· Program overview and objectives

· Introduction to key research areas

Week 2-3: Foundational Sessions

· Lectures on immunopathology of rheumatic diseases

· Literature review and Q&A sessions

Week 4-6: Hands-On Laboratory Training

· Flow cytometry and immunohistochemistry

· Single-cell RNA sequencing techniques

Week 7: Focused Research Topics

· Specialized lectures on current research trends and challenges

· Data analysis workshops

Week 8: Wrap-Up & Presentation

· Participant presentations

· Feedback session and certificate distribution

Assessment Methods:

· Submission of a final research report.

· Practical assessments during lab sessions.

· Feedback from mentors during one-on-one meetings.

Feedback for Participants:

· Anonymous feedback forms at the end of the program.

· Mid-program individual feedback sessions.

The program is free of charge.