Participating Organisation
The ColoMARK initiative aims to establish a European network of CRC experts and develop innovative technological solutions for its diagnosis and prognosis. The program involves 8 European public and private beneficiaries with diverse backgrounds from across Europe, working in collaboration to achieve this goal. Furthermore, the ColoMARK program has garnered support from 7 associated partner organizations that specialize in complementary areas of research and are leaders in their respective fields. The consortium has been thoughtfully crafted to leverage the unique strengths of each member institution towards achieving the objectives of the ColoMARK research and training program.
Beneficiaries
The Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS) is a leading biomedical research center with a strong focus on translational research. It capitalizes on the collaboration between the University Clinical Hospital of Santiago de Compostela (CHUS) and the University of Santiago de Compostela (USC) to foster excellent research, knowledge transfer, and education, all aimed at improving people's health.
Established on January 31, 2008, through a collaboration agreement between the Consellería de Sanidade, the Servizo Galego de Saúde, and the University of Santiago de Compostela, IDIS received accreditation as a research center by the Carlos III Health Institute in March 2010. Currently, IDIS encompasses 99 research groups, comprising a total of 1,161 individuals. These groups are organized into six research areas: Oncology, Genetics and Systems Biology, Endocrinology, Neurosciences, Platforms and Methodology, and Inflammation. Through their collaborative efforts, IDIS is dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and promoting its translation into practical applications to benefit society's well-being.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a part of the World Health Organization, facilitates global collaboration in cancer research. With expertise in epidemiology, laboratory sciences, and biostatistics, IARC investigates the causes of cancer and coordinates research across countries and organizations. It places special emphasis on low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) and collaborates with researchers in these regions.
IARC plays a vital role in assessing the global cancer burden, working with cancer registries to monitor trends and geographical variations over time. Additionally, the agency focuses on early cancer detection methods and evaluates prevention strategies.
The WHO Classification of Tumours series, which classifies human tumors, serves as a valuable resource for cancer researchers and clinicians worldwide.
Capacity-building is a central mission of IARC, accomplished through fellowships, courses, and publications. Priority is given to training researchers from LMICs in cancer epidemiology, cancer registration, and the implementation of cancer prevention and early detection measures.
University College Dublin (UCD) is Ireland's largest and most international public research university, founded in 1854. Within UCD, the Conway Institute is an interdisciplinary research center dedicated to understanding health and disease mechanisms, developing preventive strategies, and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.
As part of UCD, the PhD candidate will be enrolled in the School of Biomolecular & Biomedical Science (SBBS). SBBS encompasses disciplines such as biochemistry, microbiology, pharmacology, genetics, and neuroscience. The school has a strong track record in research, innovation, and teaching excellence.
UCD's research pillars include Translational Medicine and Cancer, with the virtual Centre for Translational Oncology (UCTO) as a focal point. The Cancer Biology & Therapeutics (CBT) cluster, co-directed by Dr. David Hughes, is a multidisciplinary research group within the Conway Institute. They conduct investigations on various aspects of cancer biology and treatment responses, while also developing novel cancer screening tools and therapies.
Founded in 2004, the Medical University of Graz has a rich history of medical research dating back to 1863. The university is dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of patients through scientific expertise and research. Emphasizing the holistic nature of human beings, including their physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects, the university's approach guides its clinical, translational, and basic research, as well as student education and postgraduate training, all aimed at delivering the best possible patient care.
At the Medical University of Graz, doctors, researchers, teachers, students, and other staff members all play a role in realizing this principle and consider themselves pioneering minds. Located in southern Austria, the university serves as a hub of innovative, cutting-edge medicine. With over 2,500 academic and general staff members and approximately 4,350 students, the university fosters a culture of innovation to improve the health and well-being of patients while providing an attractive workplace and living environment for its staff and students.
GenomeScan is a cutting-edge company resulting from a collaboration between the Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC) and ServiceXS B.V. With access to state-of-the-art Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technologies, including Illumina's NovaSeq6000 platform, PacBio's Sequel II, and 10XGenomics' single-cell technologies, GenomeScan has established itself as a leader in the field. They offer a comprehensive range of DNA sequencing protocols for SNP/variants calling, haplotyping, methylation, hydroxy-methylation, as well as RNA sequencing for mRNA, smallRNA, long non-coding RNA, and miRNA discovery.
By supporting the scientific community in various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, agriculture, healthcare, and academia, GenomeScan aims to stay at the forefront of scientific breakthroughs. Their innovative NGS technologies drive advancements in basic research, preclinical studies, and clinical practice, ultimately contributing to the development of personalized medicine. With a focus on healthcare and improving quality of life, GenomeScan strives to make a significant impact on the field of genomics.
DESTINA Genomica SL is a cutting-edge molecular diagnostic company located in Granada's Health Science Technological Park. With a strong foundation in the application and validation of its proprietary technology, DESTINA specializes in the direct, PCR-free detection and analysis of nucleic acids. The company has made significant strides in licensing its patented technology, establishing evaluation and development partnerships with pharmaceutical, molecular diagnostic, and analytical platform companies. Additionally, DESTINA is actively involved in the manufacturing and supply of custom molecules for research purposes.
By leveraging its advanced technology and expertise, DESTINA is at the forefront of molecular diagnostics, offering innovative solutions to detect and analyze nucleic acids. The company's collaborations and licensing agreements enable the widespread adoption and utilization of its groundbreaking technology across various sectors. With a commitment to research and development, DESTINA continues to drive advancements in the field, contributing to the progress of personalized medicine and improving patient outcomes.
Located in the thriving Health Science Technological Park, DESTINA is ideally positioned to foster collaborations and partnerships, driving innovation and translating scientific discoveries into practical applications. The company's dedication to molecular diagnostics and its broad range of services make DESTINA a key player in the field, shaping the future of genetic analysis and revolutionizing the way nucleic acids are detected and analyzed.
Founded in 1996, FUNDACIO DE RECERCA CLINIC BARCELONA-INSTITUT D’INVESTIGACIONS BIOMEDIQUES AUGUST PI I SUNYER (FRCB-IDIBAPS) is a biomedical research centre of excellence that addresses the most common diseases in our environment. It is a public consortium comprising the Catalan Government (Generalitat de Catalunya), the Hospital Clínic Barcelona, the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at the University of Barcelona and the CSIC Institute of Biomedical Research of Barcelona. IDIBAPS is a CERCA (Research Centers of Catalonia) center accredited as Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria by ISCIII. About 1,800 professionals are organised into 106 research groups. The Institute undertakes translational research, i.e., it focuses on ensuring that the questions that arise at the patient’s bedside have a response in the laboratory, and that advances made in the laboratory are promptly applied to patients. With over 1,400 original scientific articles published annually, around 100 Doctoral Theses presented each year, performing more than 50 scientific seminar per year and currently working in more than 830 active competitive projects (2023), it is the leading biomedical research centre in Spain (www.clinicbarcelona.org/en/idibaps). Moreover, Dr.Meritxell Gironella’s group also belongs to Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) (www.ciberisciii.es) that is the largest Research Network in Spain, capable of bringing together more than 500 spanish reseach groups from over 100 different associated institutions including Hospitals, Research Centers, Technology Centers, Private Institutions and Universities selected to join CIBER consortium on the basis of their excellence. The aim of this consortium is to promote research excellence and build a critical mass of researchers in the field of Biomedicine and Health Sciences.
The University Medical Center Düsseldorf is a prominent healthcare institution in a densely populated region, with 47,000 admissions and 160,000 outpatients annually. The Faculty of Medicine at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf offers comprehensive education in medicine, dentistry, health sciences, and basic sciences to over 3,000 students.
Research at the faculty addresses key challenges in medicine, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration in areas such as cardiovascular medicine, hepatology, infectious medicine, diabetology, neurosciences, and oncology. The University Medical Center Düsseldorf's commitment to oncology is evident through its partnership in the Center for Integrated Oncology (CIO ABCD), recognized as a German Interdisciplinary Oncology Center of Excellence by the German Cancer Aid.
As a member of the West German Genome Center (WGGC), the center contributes to cutting-edge genomics research. With a strong research profile and valued collaborations, the University Medical Center Düsseldorf and its Faculty of Medicine drive scientific advancements, making significant contributions to healthcare, research, and education.
LUMC is a leading university medical center excelling in research, education, and patient care. With ten Research Themes spanning fundamental to clinical research, LUMC is at the forefront of medical innovation. Its collaboration with Leiden University and the Leiden Bio Science Park creates unparalleled opportunities for advancement, bolstered by Leiden's designation as the European City of Science in 2022.
The institution's well-structured research environment produces remarkable outcomes, including 150 PhD theses and 2,000 scientific publications annually. With a citations score of 1.8, surpassing the global mean, LUMC's contributions are widely recognized. The Expat Centre Leiden offers dedicated support for visiting scientists and foreign MSc/PhD students.
ESRs at LUMC benefit from an inspiring international training environment within the LUMC Graduate School, hosting over 1,100 PhD students. The LUMC Association for PhD candidates (LAP) represents their interests and organizes enriching events.
Associated Partners
