On behalf of the ESDR Board and program committee I would like to invite you to the 46th Annual Meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research in Munich from 7-10 September 2016. The annual scientific meeting of the ESDR strives to provide a world leading platform for the presentation and discussion of state of the art science as it relates to skin biology and investigative dermatology. The program includes named orations from outstanding globally recognised scientists, plenary educational events such as Frontiers in Skin Biology and Dermatology, workshops, symposia, free communications and posters covering all aspects of skin science extending from genetic discovery through to clinical research. ESDR is committed to fostering a culture where scientists and clinicians can get together, exchange ideas and form new collaborations in a convivial and stimulating environment. To that end we strongly encourage special interest groups to hold satellite meetings at ESDR so that the full breadth of essential expertise is present at the meeting. Recognising the importance of the translational biomedical research agenda we bring together academia and biopharma and include dedicated sessions discussing many aspects of drug discovery and clinical validation. Our social program is also geared towards creating an environment allowing exchange of ideas and the meeting of old and new friends. This year in a break with our recent past we will be returning to our academic roots and holding the meeting on an academic campus. Thanks to Prof Tilo Biedermann and the local organising committee we have secured the convenient and fabulous facilities of the Technical University of Munich (Garching campus). On campus is the Max Planck Institute of Astrophysics and to provide motivation we will have a special lecture on the beginning and end of the Universe!