Karolinska Institutet Inflammation and Immunology Network (KiiM) has, for more than a decade, gathered immunologists at the annual KiiM retreat. This well attended conference not only provides appreciated opportunities for KI immunologists to network and exchange their latest research findings but also attracts a number of renowned national and international invited speakers, setting a high scientific standard and making the KiiM retreat a noteworthy Swedish immunology meeting. The 12th KiiM retreat on October 7-8, 2021 was the first in person retreat since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and for many a long awaited return to face-to-face conferences. However, to address public health concerns and the presence of travel restrictions in the fall of 2021, the meeting was for the first time run as a hybrid on site - virtual meeting. Here, we briefly report the scientific content of the meeting and discuss the potential benefits of local, hybrid scientific meetings to unite researchers locally and globally.
KiiM retreat 2021: Local immunology to fit global need?