Final Activity Report Summary - THE HEAD (Multifunctional approaches to understanding craniofacial abnormalities) The objectives of the EU EST training programme were to train 10 early stage researchers in research skills that would enable them to acquire a PhD and become independent scientists. The research area is the development of the head, which is frequently affected by birth defects. Such defects can have debilitating physical and social consequences for an individual. 10 EU EST fellows were recruited over a 2 year period from 8 countries.Each EU EST fellow was given a unique project covering a distinct aspect of craniofacial development. These projects ranged from understanding how the bones and muscles of the head develop, to understanding syndromes such as DiGeorge syndrome, and how the different regions of the face develop. Training in this research area gave the EU EST researchers expertise in an important area of Biomedical research and also in research skills that their can transfer to other areas of Biomedical research. Laboratory training was given within a small research team under the dedicated guidance of 1 lead supervisor.The laboratory research was complemented by tutorials, seminars and courses in techniques and transferable skills. EU EST fellows also gained skills in data presentation, and writing scientific manuscripts, both essential skills for scientists.Throughout this training programme significant emphasis was placed on increasing networking opportunities between researchers to enhance research progress for both the EU EST Fellow and the scientific community. With this in mind, 33 external speakers were invited to an EU EST seminar programme and 2 workshops were held. This enabled the EU EST fellows to interact directly with the leaders in the field in relatively informal environments allowing them to discuss research ideas and how they can pursue their project. These meetings also allowed the EU EST fellows to develop confidence and an ability to interact with scientists at all stages of their career. The latter will be essential in order to manage and liaise in multi-team projects where different expertise from various laboratories is combined. This is the trend of future research programmes and is an important skill. This was a very unique aspect of the training programme and was very much appreciated by the EU EST fellows. The EU EST fellows also attended 55 conferences, presenting their data at 30 conferences. This is a significant achievement.7 of the EU EST fellows also gained research expertise in other laboratories again enhancing networks and an ability to collaborate to meet research aims, one of the key aims of our training programme. 3 of the EU EST fellows undertook additional training on specialised technological courses. One EU EST fellow was one of 20 students to be selected from students worldwide to attend the prestigious "Wood's Hole" Training programme in Embryology in the USA. Here he had the opportunity to be trained in all aspects of Developmental Biology and to be lectured by and meet Nobel Laureates and other Internationally recognised scientists in the field.The EU EST training programme enabled us to design the research programmes around the individual research needs of the EU EST fellows and to maximise their training, for example, by attendance at conferences and hosting of external speakers. To date, 5 EU EST fellows have submitted their PhDs, and 4 have had the viva exam and passed. These 5 EU EST fellows have also all been successful in obtaining their next research position. 5 EU EST fellows are currently completing their PhD theses. The EU EST fellows have also published 18 research articles with many more in preparation. Again this is a very significant achievement for a training programme.
