On behalf of EAACI, we are delighted to welcome you to Amsterdam for the 2019 International Symposium on Molecular Allergology (ISMA).

Over the past decade, molecular allergology has gained increasing impact on the field of allergy diagnosis and allergen immunotherapy. Allergen molecules have been linked to allergic phenotypes and to disease trajectories, they are gaining interest as biomarkers for selection of patients for immunotherapy, and they have reached a foothold in food allergy diagnostic algorithms. Microarray and multiplex technologies as well as novel techniques allowing simultaneous single-cell analyses for increasing numbers of parameters are a revolution in research opportunities. This advent of “big data” has sparked off innovative bio-statistic and bioinformatic approaches for data analysis. At the same time, these developments raise questions about implementation of this wealth of information into daily clinical practice. ISMA is the place to discuss the newest developments in the field of molecular allergology and the impact they will have on allergy diagnosis and therapy.

This year’s ISMA meeting will largely return to a single-track format, featuring only two time slots with parallel sessions (pro/cons, interactive sessions and clinical case discussions). Oral abstract presentations will be sandwiched between two invited talks to provide optimal exposure and experience to young researchers. An unopposed poster lunch session with classical hard copy posters will facilitate optimal interaction and discussion and provide poster presenters the attention they deserve.