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SPACE-MEL - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) grant

  • €5.5 million EU funding to train a new generation of spatial biology scientists 
  • Training the first generation of scientists with an end-to-end spatial biology skillset
  • Application in melanoma, including rare subtypes with limited clinical evidence

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Aspect Analytics is proud to be a partner in the SPAtial single-CEll omics research training for MELanoma precision medicine grant, funded by the European Union.

Selected under the highly competitive Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks program, SPACE-MEL is among 141 projects funded out of 1,616 proposals submitted in 2025. The consortium, coordinated by LISCO and uniting leading academic institutions, clinical centers and industry partners across Europe and beyond, will receive approximately €5.5 million to train 15 doctoral candidates through an integrated program spanning spatial imaging, molecular biology, computational biology, pathology and biomarker discovery, with a focused application in melanoma.

Aspect Analytics is proud to be a partner in the consortium, bringing core expertise in data analysis and integration across different spatial technologies, computational pipelines, and AI/ML to the network. The team specializes in extracting robust, reproducible insight from complex spatial multi-omics datasets — building the analytical frameworks and AI-driven tools needed to move from raw spatial data to biological and clinical understanding. 

Spatial biology technologies are transforming the ability to map cellular heterogeneity, interactions, and functional states within tissues with unprecedented molecular precision. However, unlocking the clinical potential of spatial biology requires interdisciplinary collaboration between experimental, computational and clinical domains. This is what SPACE-MEL is built to address. This programme will train doctoral candidates to connect spatial technologies, complex multi-omics data, and clinical questions, equipping the next generation of scientists with a genuine end-to-end skillset spanning experimental design, computational analysis, and translational application. 

SPACE-MEL will focus on melanoma, including mucosal melanoma, a rare and understudied subtype, as well as early-stage disease where predicting progression remains a major challenge. The project is closely connected to the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) melanoma group, ensuring alignment with clinical research priorities. 

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Networks programme, part of the EU’s Horizon Europe framework, is the European Union’s flagship initiative for training doctoral researchers through international mobility, interdisciplinary collaboration and exposure to industry. With former Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellows on staff, the Aspect Analytics team has firsthand knowledge on how these projects benefit doctoral candidates, and look forward to supporting future computational and AI/ML innovations in spatial biology.

About SPACE-MEL

SPACE-MEL is a European doctoral training network funded under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks program. It trains 15 doctoral candidates in spatial single-cell omics to support the translation of these technologies into clinical practice, with a focus on melanoma.

Participating Organisations include:

  • KATHOLIEKE UNIVERSITEIT LEUVEN (BE) – Coordinator
  • ERASMUS UNIVERSITAIR MEDISCH CENTRUM ROTTERDAM (NL) – Partner
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI FIRENZE (IT) – Partner
  • NARODOWY INSTYTUT ONKOLOGII IM. MARII SKLODOWSKIEJ (PL) – Partner
  • UNIVERSITAT ZURICH (CH) – Partner
  • THE UNIVERSITY OF MANCHESTER (UK) – Partner
  • UNIVERSITA DEGLI STUDI DI PERUGIA (IT) – Partner
  • ASPECT ANALYTICS (BE) – Partner
  • Intelligent Biodata SL (ES) – Partner
  • UNIVERSIDAD DE NAVARRA (ES) – Associated
  • ACCELOPMENT SCHWEIZ AG (CH) – Associated
  • Alpenglow Biosciences, Inc. (US) – Associated
  • AtlasXomics, Inc. (US) – Associated
  • BIOLIZARD NV (BE) – Associated
  • DIATECH PHARMACOGENETICS SOCIETA A RESPONSABILITA LIMITATA (IT) – Associated
  • Lunaphore Technologies SA (CH) – Associated
  • SANOFI-AVENTIS RECHERCHE & DEVELOPPEMENT (FR) – Associated
  • SKYLINEDX B.V. (NL) – Associated
  • Spotlight Pathology Ltd. (UK) – Associated
  • Stellaromics, Inc. (US) – Associated

For more information, visit: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101311007

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Funded by the European Union (GA 101311007). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 

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