News

The third edition of the Summer School "Immuno-Oncology in the Spatial Omics Era" is currently underway, supported by spaXio members. Hosted by the Institute Cancer and Immunology, the programme brings together international Master’s and PhD students to explore how spatial omics technologies are transforming cancer research. Participants engage in hands-on workshops, theoretical sessions, and problem-based learning to understand tumor immunity at the molecular and tissue levels. Renowned experts are delivering advanced seminars on spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolic imaging. This immersive programme emphasizes the integration of cutting-edge research with practical laboratory experience. 

The first successful run of the Xenium spatial transcriptomics platform has been completed in Salzburg! This cutting-edge technology—now installed at the Paris Lodron University Salzburg—was made possible thanks to funding from the FFG funded-CellComm initiative and the incredible support of the Centre for Tumour Biology and Immunology, as well as the Department of Biosciences and Medical Biology.

The Xenium will play a vital role in spatially resolved omics for spaXio’s mission to uncover the secrets of metastatic niches.

spaXio will start beginning of October 2025 and start recruiting doctoral candidates beginning of next year.

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The international research project spaXio (spatial crosstalk in immuno-oncology), coordinated by the University of Salzburg, has been selected for funding through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks program of the European Union.

spaXio brings together leading scientists from institutions in Salzburg, Tübingen, Marseille, Madrid, Lausanne, and Munich, in close collaboration with academic, clinical, and industry partners across Europe and the United States. The project aims to explore how cancer spreads to distant organs by investigating the spatial and temporal interactions between tumor cells, immune cells, the microbiome, and their surrounding tissue environments.

Using spatial omics technologies, 3D tumor models, and AI-driven digital twins, the consortium will develop new approaches to understand metastasis and identify targeted therapies.

At its core, spaXio will train 13 interdisciplinary doctoral researchers, equipping them with cutting-edge scientific and transferable skills to shape the future of personalized cancer treatment.