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Background: Allergen exposure chambers (AECs) are clinical facilities allowing for controlled exposure of subjects to allergens in an enclosed environment. AECs have contributed towards characterizing the pathophysiology of respiratory allergic diseases and the pharmacological properties of new therapies. In addition, they are complementary to and offer some advantages over traditional multicentre field trials for evaluation of novel therapeutics. To date, AEC studies conducted have been monocentric and have followed protocols unique to each centre. Because there are technical differences among AECs, it may be necessary to define parameters to standardize the AECs so that studies may be extrapolated for driving basic immunological research and for marketing authorization purposes by regulatory authorities. Methods: For this task force initiative of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), experts from academia and regulatory agencies met with chamber operators to list technical, clinical and regulatory unmet needs as well as the prerequisites for clinical validation. Results: The latter covered the validation process, standardization of challenges and outcomes, intra- and interchamber variability and reproducibility, in addition to comparability with field trials and specifics of paediatric trials and regulatory issues. Conclusion: This EAACI Position Paper aims to harmonize current concepts in AECs and to project unmet needs with the intent to enhance progress towards use of these facilities in determining safety and efficacy of new therapeutics in the future.

Background: Allergen exposure chambers (AECs) are clinical facilities allowing for controlled exposure of subjects to allergens in an enclosed environment. AECs have contributed towards characterizing the pathophysiology of respiratory allergic diseases and the pharmacological properties of new therapies. In addition, they are complementary to and offer some advantages over traditional multicentre field trials for evaluation of novel therapeutics. To date, AEC studies conducted have been monocentric and have followed protocols unique to each centre. Because there are technical differences among AECs, it may be necessary to define parameters to standardize the AECs so that studies may be extrapolated for driving basic immunological research and for marketing authorization purposes by regulatory authorities. Methods: For this task force initiative of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI), experts from academia and regulatory agencies met with chamber operators to list technical, clinical and regulatory unmet needs as well as the prerequisites for clinical validation. Results: The latter covered the validation process, standardization of challenges and outcomes, intra- and interchamber variability and reproducibility, in addition to comparability with field trials and specifics of paediatric trials and regulatory issues. Conclusion: This EAACI Position Paper aims to harmonize current concepts in AECs and to project unmet needs with the intent to enhance progress towards use of these facilities in determining safety and efficacy of new therapeutics in the future.

This report presents the preliminary results of the second field season of a joint project be- tween the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS) and the Ministry of Min- eral Resources of Greenland (MMR) focusing on the Paleoproterozoic Karrat Group. The motivation for the expedition stems from an evaluation of the mineral potential along with understanding the stratigraphic architecture of the Karrat Group and aims to address stra- tigraphy, structure, and economic geology. Field work extended to northern Karrat Group outcrops, between Upernavik and Kullosuaq, and allowed further studies of the southern Karrat Group outcrops between Svartenhuk and Maarmorilik. The relationship between the Karrat Group and the Prøven Igneous Complex (PIC), emplaced between these two areas, was also assessed. The 2016 field season was aided by oblique aerial photography (“pho- toflying”), and hyperspectral techniques. Hyperspectral scenes were collected along cliff faces in the areas with the most prospective mineral potential, including Kangerluarsuk Fjord and Maarmorilik. These studies have built on the observations made in 2015, and have led either to the consolidation or to the revision of interpretations suggested after that season. The exposed Karrat Group extends from ~71° to ~75°N and is composed of five formations: the Qeqertarssuaq (Lower Karrat Group), Qaarsukassak, Mârmorilik, Kangilleq, and Nûkavsak formations (Upper Karrat Group), of which the Qaarsukassak amd Kangilleq formations are informal. The lower and upper Karrat Group are separated by a regional erosional unconformity, which represents a revision to the Karrat stratigraphy established during the 2015 field season. The Karrat Group has not been differentiated north of Uper- navik due to the high metamorphic grade and polyphase deformation. Major goals of the field work included delineating contact relationships between units, documenting sedimen- tary structures that can define depositional environment