[50 years WATL (Scientific Working Group for the Therapy of Lung Diseases)]. / 50 Jahre WATL (Wissenschaftliche Arbeitsgemeinschaft für die Therapie von Lungenkrankheiten e.V.).

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Scientific Working Group for the Therapy of Lung Diseases (WATL) the history is described from its foundation to the present situation. Research topics during this long period are specified and the studies are briefly outlined. In the beginning, WATL was engaged mainly in studies on tuberculosis, later on, the spectrum of WATL was broadened considerably to diseases like sarcoidosis, pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis, pulmonary emphysema due to α1-antitrypsin deficiency, chronic obstructive bronchitis and bronchial asthma as well as nontuberculous mycobacterioses. Finally, realising that the methodological capabilities of WATL were not sufficient to conduct large trials in classical lung diseases considering current requirements, WATL has begun to acquire competence in rare lung diseases such as lymphangioleiomyomatosis and alveolar proteinosis. In addition, WATL is dedicated to educative aims by organising conferences on topics which are not part of main stream respiratory medicine.