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[The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Tackling cancer together: five CIVIS universities receive prestigious EU funding for innovative research network Tackling cancer together: five CIVIS universities receive prestigious EU funding for innovative research network ================================================================================================================== CIVIS Highlights 20\. Mai 2025 **spaXio** (spatial crosstalk in immuno-oncology) – a research project bringing together leading scientists from top European universities – has successfully secured funding through the highly competitive European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks programme. The project aims to uncover the complexities of metastasis – why certain cancer cells settle in specific organs and form deadly tumours. And it was born out of a CIVIS Seed-funding project! ![](/storage/files/spaxio.png) Photo © University of Tübingen/Christoph Jäckle At the core of *spaXio*'s research is the concept of the *“metastatic niche”* – a dynamic interplay between tumour cells, immune cells, the microbiome, and the surrounding tissue. This area remains largely uncharted territory. But now, thanks to an outstanding evaluation by international reviewers, the ***spaXio*** application ranked among the top 8% of over 1,400 submissions from across Europe, and will receive €5.2 million in funding over the next five years from the European Union and Switzerland. ### How it works Modern single-cell technologies generate vast amounts of data but often miss the spatial context. This is where ***spaXio*** steps in, employing cutting-edge spatial omics technologies to explore the spatial-temporal organisation of cells and molecular processes. Complementing this, artificial intelligence (AI) and digital computer models, known as “digital twins” of metastases, simulate disease progression virtually. This innovative approach allows researchers to simulate and test new therapeutic strategies in the lab. In their research, scientists use complex 3D tumour models called “tumoroids”. Additionally, AI-supported data integration and modelling help generate innovative treatment strategies for advanced cancer. Teams from five CIVIS universities involved in the project ---------------------------------------------------------- **spaXio** unites leading scientists from top universities in Salzburg, Tübingen, Marseille, Madrid, Lausanne, and Munich along with clinics and companies across Europe and the United States: > *The initial idea was to create a CIVIS-based network between laboratories interested in using spatial omics technologies. **It was the seed funding from CIVIS-UNIL that brought us together to further develop and realise our idea as an organised network, which ultimately led to this successful grant application.** We believe that with spaXio we will provide a strong foundation for interdisciplinary cancer research within CIVIS”,* states Dr Dirk Schmidt-Arras who, together with his colleagues Dr Peter Krenn and Dr Jutta Horejs-Hoeck from the University of Salzburg, coordinated the joint grant proposal. At the CIVIS universities, 13 doctoral candidates will work both experimentally in the lab and computationally with large data sets. Beyond scientific training, these candidates will gain skills in science communication, ethics, open science, interdisciplinarity, and sustainability. Industry internships and international collaborations will further bridge the gap between research and practical application. *spaXio* aims not only to train excellent young researchers but also to contribute significantly to the EU Mission Cancer. By advancing personalised and highly precise cancer therapies, the project is set to bring new momentum to the fight against cancer. **More details available in the [original story, in German](https://www.plus.ac.at/news/krebszellen-im-visier/?pgrp=220&is_paged=2).** ### Latest Highlights: [*CIVIS Secretary General encourages Associate Member Universities in Africa to shape the future of the alliance together*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/civis-secretary-general-encourages-associate-member-universities-africa-shape-future-alliance-together) [*University of Bucharest rallies presidential candidates to defend Romania’s Euro-Atlantic path in historic call for democracy*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/university-of-bucharest-rallies-presidential-candidates-to-defend-romania-s-euro-atlantic-path-in-historic-call-for-democracy) *[UNIL, UofG and Makerere rethink breathing in a changing world with Exp-Air Lab, powered by CIVIS](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/unil-rethinks-breathing-in-a-changing-world-with-exp-air-lab-powered-by-civis)* *[The saltwater tolerance is what kept the dinosaur-eating giant crocodile alive, UT-led study reveals](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/the-saltwater-tolerance-is-what-kept-the-dinosaur-eating-giant-crocodile-alive-ut-led-study-reveals)* [*aMU delves into the colonial history of Marseille aboard the Mars Imperium portal*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/amu-delves-into-the-colonial-history-of-marseille-aboard-the-mars-imperium-portal) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/wildcat-800x600.jpg?token=feab63e2e638099acac5ba09fdaf86b2)Human activity is influencing the behavior of Germany’s wildcats CIVIS Highlights 16. März 2026 ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/human-activity-is-influencing-the-behavior-of-germany-s-wildcats) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/unil-march-800x600.jpg?token=d8f751c5dd64924dd2e37edbb187d325)The Swiss ski mountaineering team, supported by UNIL's researchers for this year's Olympic Games CIVIS Highlights 3. März 2026 ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/the-swiss-ski-mountaineering-team-supported-by-unil-s-researchers-for-this-year-s-olympic-games) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/euko-at-bild-800x600.jpg?token=8b0e68266375a76c6818dc87522df43f)How young people in Austria use AI CIVIS Highlights 23. Februar 2026 ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/how-young-people-in-austria-use-ai) [Entdecken Sie alle unsere Geschichten](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom) [ Developing Participatory Research: Reflections from the CIVIS Staff Week in Lausanne ](< https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/developing-participatory-research-reflections-from-the-civis-staff-week-in-lausanne >) [ CIVIS Secretary General encourages Associate Member Universities in Africa to shape the future of the alliance together ](< https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/civis-secretary-general-encourages-associate-member-universities-africa-shape-future-alliance-together >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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