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Headed by Eduard Batlle, the project will allow researchers to study the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer using culturable mini-cancers (Photo: IRB Barcelona).
 02.03.2020

AECC backs cancer research involving 3D models at IRB Barcelona

The Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC) –in collaboration with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Fondazione AIRC per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC)– has awarded more than €500,000 euros of funding to an IRB Barcelona project, within the framework of the Accelerator Awards call.  the project will allow researchers to study the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer using culturable mini-cancers, also known as organoids, derived from patients.

 

In the last funding call of the Accelerator Awards, the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer (AECC– Spanish Association Against Cancer) has awarded more than €500,000 euros of funding to an IRB Barcelona project that will focus on examining the complexity and heterogeneity of cancer by means of 3D imaging and patient-derived organoids. The study involves the Colorectal Cancer Lab, headed by Eduard Batlle, and the Advanced Digital Microscopy Platform, managed by Julien Colombelli.

Organoids, which are mini-cancers that can be cultured in the lab, will be used to undertake an analysis of individual cells. The project seeks to study and optimize cell culture techniques and sample preparation, as well as to identify which cells can be killed by chemotherapy and which ones develop resistance to treatment. This work will enhance knowledge of cancer biology and pave the way for the development of better research tools and also new drugs.  

Accelerator Awards aim to help results to reach cancer patients faster, as well to foster the collaboration of Spanish researchers in European projects. In its last funding call, the AECC, in collaboration with Cancer Research UK (CRUK) and the Fondazione AIRC per la Ricerca sul Cancro (AIRC) has channelled a total of €32.7 M into seven cancer research projects. 

► For further information: IRB Barcelona website [+]