Early career member highlights from the 22nd ERS Lung Science Conference: development of chronic lung diseases – from life-spanning mechanisms to preventive therapy

Extract The 22nd Lung Science Conference (LSC) organised by the European Respiratory Society (ERS) took place on the 14–17 March 2024 online and in person in Estoril, Portugal. During these less than four days, basic and clinical researchers and other experts with an interest in translational science [1] got together to share the best international lung research presented in a common programme, and enjoyed fruitful debates and interactions in numerous social opportunities for networking. Early career scientists and established investigators had the opportunity to get deeply immersed in new discoveries around the origin, development and potential treatments of numerous respiratory diseases such as COPD and lung fibrosis.