HRZZ Research projects: Project SPARK- Smart nanobiotechnological platform for advancing diagnostic,prognostic and therapeutic approaches for pancreatic cancer

Project acronym: SPARK

Project duration: 1 st Dec 2025 – 30th Nov 2028

Coordinator: Institute for Medical Research and Occupational Health, Zagreb (CRO)

Our role: Project Manager

Funding: Croatian Science Foundation (HRZZ), Call IP-2025-02

Budget: 199.000,00 Eur

Summary:

The main objective of the project is to develop a standardized nanobiotechnology platform to advance preclinical research in the development of more effective diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic approaches in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This platform combines innovative personalized 3D in vitro pancreatic cancer models (organoids) with bioanalytical tools that enable precise and rapid pathophysiological analysis, based on atomic force microscopy, high-throughput fluorescence microscopy and metabolomic profiling by mass spectrometry imaging. Such a platform allow s for rapid and efficient testing of innovative therapeutic approaches, as w ell as more effective diagnostic and prognostic monitoring of pancreatic cancer.

IMI’s partners in the Research Group:

Opća bolnica Varaždin, Varaždin (Croatia)

Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Medicinski fakultet, Zagreb (Croatia)

Sveučilište u Zagrebu, Farmaceutsko-biokemijski fakultet, Zagreb (Croatia)

Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Rijeka (Croatia)

Klinička bolnica “Merkur”, Zagreb (Croatia)

ARTIDIS AG (Switzerland)

Klinička bolnica “Dubrava”, Zagreb (Croatia)