Welcome to TransPan
Identification of biological markers for prevention and translational medicine in pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer (PC) has a high mortality rate and is projected to become a massive public health problem in Europe. The TRANSPAN COST action aims to boost research on the prevention of PC, particularly in the discovery of genetic risk factors, risk stratification, identification of biomarkers for early detection and patient monitoring, elucidation of biological mechanisms and functional pharmacogenomics for personalised medicine.
COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) is a funding agency for research and innovation networks. Our Actions help connect research initiatives across Europe and enable scientists to grow their ideas by sharing them with their peers. This boosts their research, career and innovation
These aims will be attained by expanding an existing interdisciplinary network and organised in four working groups
Working Group 1 - Disease Risk Profiling
This WG will use germline genetic variants, epigenetics, transcriptomics and environmental factors to model disease risk and apply risk stratification scores to better select individuals eligible to be screened for PC or its precursors.
Working Group 2 - Non-Invasive Biomarkers
This WG will apply state-of-the-art liquid biopsies for the detection and characterization of circulating tumor cells and DNA, tumor-derived exosomes, tumor-educated platelets, epigenetic markers, and will test their diagnostic value for PC precursors and early-stage PC.
Working Group 3 - Tumor Profiling
Genomic, epigenomic and transcriptional profiling of PC and its precursors in a multiregional analysis fashion will be used to identify novel biomarkers with prognosis and predictive value for PC patient stratification.
Working Group 4 - Functional genomics and therapy
This WG will functionally validate candidate genetic variants from germline or tumor studies by using cutting-edge approaches such as CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing. It will also generate novel approaches such as organoids / zebrafish avatars to implement (chemo)therapeutic strategies based on the patient in an effort to implement personalized medicine for PC.
TRANSPAN Webinars
We’re pleased to announce the launch of the TRANSPAN webinar series, aimed at sharing recent research and clinical developments, encouraging interdisciplinary collaboration, and supporting the training of early career researchers and clinicians. The webinars will take place monthly via Microsoft Teams, last one hour (30-45minutes of presentation and 15-30 minutes of discussion), and be recorded. Speakers—mainly TRANSPAN members—will offer both clinical and research-focused perspectives, with an emphasis on understanding PDAC in a clinical context and exploring translational advances. Certificates of attendance will be provided, and PhD students are especially encouraged to join, as the webinars can support their academic development and may count toward their university program records.
Webinars Videos Available
Click here and go check the video recordings of the past webinars in our dedicated section
Interviews with Members
The TRANSPAN interview section features both video and written conversations with members of the COST Action, sharing their personal experiences, insights, and perspectives on being part of this collaborative European network
Go to the Interviews Page
Click here and go check the interviews made with the TRANSPAN Members
Interviews Available
- Eithne Costello - Leader of Working Group 1
- Alice Usai - Member of Working Group 4
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The third Management Committee Meeting of TRANSPAN was hosted this year at the University of...
Latest Action Calls
This is a collection of all our calls about Open PhD and Post-Doc Positions, Short-Term Scientific Missions, Training Schools and other Grant Opportunities
TRANSPAN Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) Opportunities - 2026
STSM Opportunity at Mugla University (Turkey)
Host PI: Tugba Suzek
Host institution: Mugla University
Country: Turkey
Department: Bioinformatics
Contact e-mail: tsuzek@gmail.com
Preferred contact method: Please contact me via email at tsuzek@gmail.com. I can also connect via LinkedIn upon request.
Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 1
Accessibility period: December 15, 2025 – February 1, 2030
Duration: Minimum 10 days, Maximum 365 days
Living costs: The approximate cost of living in Muğla is moderate. Accommodation (shared apartment): ~200–300 EUR/month; Food and groceries: ~150–200 EUR/month; Public transport: ~20 EUR/month; Additional expenses (utilities, internet): ~50 EUR/month. Muğla is a student-friendly city with a comfortable lifestyle at a reasonable cost compared to larger Turkish cities.
Description: At the Tuğba Süzek Lab, we contribute with two main research lines. The first focuses on DNA methylation analysis by pyrosequencing (DNA methylation quantification in circulating cfDNA). The second research line involves bioinformatics analysis applied to epigenetics and genomics data.
1. TCGAnalyzer – Pan-Cancer Multi-Omics Visualization Platform
TCGAnalyzer (TCGAnalyzeR http://tcganalyzer.mu.edu.tr/ ) is an interactive web-based platform for visualizing and analyzing multi-omics cancer data. We aim to expand this tool by integrating:
- Tumor microenvironment deconvolution
- Multi-omics fusion analysis
- Machine learning modules for predicting outcomes
Skills gained: R, web deployment, survival analysis, network biology, ML.
2. ML-Based Drug Repurposing for Cancer Biomarker Signatures
We developed a machine learning pipeline to identify repurposable drugs for pancreatic cancer based on gene expression and biomarker signatures. Visiting researchers can work on:
- Model refinement and validation (Random Forest, XGBoost, deep learning)
- Integration of methylation + expression features
- Candidate prioritization using public datasets (TCGA, GEO)
Impact: Both projects support TRANSPAN goals by applying AI and systems biology to improve biomarker discovery and clinical interpretation of complex multi-omics datasets for actionable insights in pancreatic and other cancers.
Other relevant notes: Not specified
STSM Opportunity at University of Coimbra (Portugal)
Host PI: Joel Perdiz Arrais
Host institution: University of Coimbra
Country: Portugal
Department: DEI/FCTUC
Contact e-mail: jpa@uc.pt
Preferred contact method: email address: jpa@uc.pt ; https://joelarrais.uc.pt
Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 1
Accessibility period: February 1, 2025 – September 30, 2026
Duration: Minimum 6 days, Maximum 30 days
Living costs: Not specified
Description: This STSM will develop and apply computational methods to study pancreatic cancer progression using single-cell transcriptomics and spatial profiling data. The host lab will support visitors in data integration, analysis workflows, and interpretation, with a focus on identifying biomarkers and mechanisms relevant to TRANSPAN goals. The work can include preprocessing, clustering, trajectory inference, deconvolution, and visualization.
Other relevant notes: Not specified
STSM Opportunity at IIS Aragón (Aragon Health Research Institute) (Spain)
Host PI: Patricia Sancho
Host institution: IIS Aragón (Aragon Health Research Institute)
Country: Spain
Department: Translational Research Unit
Contact e-mail: psancho@iisaragon.es
Preferred contact method: email address
Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 1
Accessibility period: March 4, 2025 – September 30, 2026
Duration: Minimum 21 days, Maximum 90 days
Living costs: Not specified
Description: Metabolism-based therapies for PDAC treatment using omics approaches (transcriptomics, metabolomics, lipidomics) in in vitro, in vivo and ex vivo models. Lipid metabolism in PDAC, especially CSCs. In vitro models of PDAC and CSCs. In vivo models: orthotopic PDAC mouse model; liver metastasis mouse model. Ex vivo models: patient-derived organoids and tumor explants.
Other relevant notes: Not specified
STSM Opportunity at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM) (Spain)
Host PI: Álvaro Artiga
Host institution: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (UAM)
Country: Spain
Department: Department of Materials Physics
Contact e-mail: alvaro.artiga@inv.uam.es
Preferred contact method: Email address
Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 1
Accessibility period: February 10, 2025 – September 30, 2026
Duration: Minimum 18 days, Maximum 180 days
Living costs: Not specified
Description: Our lab, Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (nanoBiG), at Universidad Autónoma de Madrid specializes in the development of fluorescent probes and nanostructures applied to biomedical applications, including but not limited to: _synthesis of fluorescent nanomaterials, _development of new nanoprobes for multiplexed fluorescence imaging of biomarkers, _fluorescence spectroscopy and imaging.
Other relevant notes: Not specified
STSM Opportunity at Yeditepe University (Turkiye)
Host PI: Bilge Guvenc Tuna
Host institution: Yeditepe University
Country: Turkiye
Department: Medical Faculty, Department of Biophysics
Contact e-mail: bilge.tuna@yeditepe.edu.tr
Preferred contact method: email:bilge.tuna@yeditepe.edu.tr
Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 2
Accessibility period: February 15, 2025 – September 30, 2026
Duration: Minimum 10 days, Maximum 30 days
Living costs: Not specified
Description: The host laboratory offers hands-on training and collaborative research opportunities in the field of pancreatic cancer biology, combining molecular biology, epigenetics, and biophysical approaches. The planned STSM activities include:
- analysis of epigenetic modifications and gene expression patterns in pancreatic cancer cell models;
- experimental and computational evaluation of biomarkers relevant to disease progression and therapy response;
- introduction to relevant laboratory techniques (cell culture, qPCR, methylation analysis, protein assays) and data analysis workflows.
The STSM aligns with TRANSPAN objectives by supporting translational research and the identification of actionable biomarkers in pancreatic cancer.
Other relevant notes: Not specified
STSM Opportunity at Jozef Stefan Institute (Slovenia)
Host PI: Milica Perisic Nanut
Host institution: Jozef Stefan Institute
Country: Slovenia
Department: Biotechnology
Contact e-mail: milica.perisic@ijs.si
Preferred contact method: Our project has translational focus: The project is done in a close collaboration with the clinical partner and includes clinical samples. We can offer an experimental work and/or bioinformatics analysis of the data. Most of the methods are well established in the lab and represent continuation of our work. We are open to develop project proposal with the applicant based on mutual interests and skills.
Number of visitors that can be hosted simultaneously: 1
Accessibility period: February 27, 2026 – September 30, 2026
Duration: Minimum 25 days, Maximum 90 days
Living costs: On weekly basis for a single person including rent costs are around 375 EUR
Description: We study cysteine peptidases and how they shape the tumor microenvironment (TME). We recently discovered that cysteine peptidases regulate macrophage polarization in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). The goal of STSM is to build on this discovery and study involvement of peptidases in macrophage polarization with newly developed macrophage reporter cell line. Also, we recently obtained a dataset of proteomic analysis of human PDAC macrophages that will help in target prioritization and selection. The applicant will learn methods of macrophage biology and peptidase research and contribute to generation and analysis of data, which may result in a joint publication.
Other relevant notes: Not specified
Call for Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) Applications - 2026
Dear TRANSPAN members,
We are pleased to announce the opening of the Short-Term Scientific Mission (STSM) Call 2026 under the COST Action CA21116 TRANSPAN.
STSMs support short-term international research visits that directly contribute to TRANSPAN’s scientific objectives. These grants follow the official COST rules and procedures, and applicants are encouraged to carefully review both the COST Annotated Rules and the TRANSPAN-specific call document for 2026, which outlines additional guidance, eligibility, evaluation criteria, timelines, and budget rules.
The call will operate in three application windows, with deadlines on 15 December 2025, 25 January 2026, and 25 March 2026.
For detailed instructions on eligibility, budget, and how to apply, please refer to the full call document here:
For any questions, please contact the Grant Awarding Coordinator, Manuel Gentiluomo
We encourage all interested members, especially Young Researchers and Innovators and participants from Inclusiveness Target Countries, to apply.
Kind regards,
The TRANSPAN Core Group
COST Action CA21116 – TRANSPAN