43 years commitment to liver research

The European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL) was founded on 23rd and 24th April 1966 in Marburg/Lahn by Prof. Gustav-Adolf Martini, MD. His main aim was to strengthen international knowledge and cooperation - specifically within the field of hepatological research. He succeeded, along with scientific colleagues, in inviting between 70-80 European hepatologists to Marburg for a two-day symposium on hepatology. This meeting proceeded successfully in a very fruitful, personable, friendly atmosphere and marked the beginning of EASL.

It was agreed that EASL should serve as a loose association of physicians and scientists with an interest in liver research and would have neither fixed membership nor a board of directors. Meetings would be held annually with the venue rotating through different European countries.

Its foundation was inspired by the existence of the AASLD (American Association for the Study of the Liver, est. November 1949) and the IASL (International Association for the Study of the Liver, est.1958).

Prof. Sheila Sherlock, second president of EASL (for the meeting in Gothenburg in 1967), was the first editor of its Journal from 1984 to 1989.

Due to a rapidly increasing number of participants and abstracts submitted for presentation at meetings, the formerly "loose" association quickly developed into an official organization with solicitors, scientific committee and a set meeting structure. The decision to have a fixed membership came later, however, in 1984.

EASL's objective is "to attract mainly young and active investigators to exchange current views and results, and have enough time for real discussions". (Martini, 1991)