ZAP Cancer heads to Graz for its 5th Workshop and 4th Training

Medical University of Graz, 23–25 November 2026

The ZAP Cancer consortium is heading to Austria next month. From 23 to 25 November 2026, the Medical University of Graz will host the 5th ZAP Cancer Workshop and the 4th ZAP Cancer Training at the ZMF Conference Room (ground floor).

Workshop 5: Interdisciplinary oncology throughout the patient pathway

The workshop follows a cancer patient’s journey, from diagnosis to treatment decisions and back to the lab. Afternoon sessions cover:

  • Biobank Graz: an introduction and a tour of the facility.
  • Molecular diagnostics and the Molecular Tumor Board: which patients are candidates for advanced testing, and how the board reaches recommendations when evidence is limited. The session is led by Leo Edlinger.
  • Precision oncology in clinical practice: presented by Prof. Philipp Jost.
  • Digital pathology: a hands-on session at the viewing stations and a visit to the slide scanning facility, with a look at AI-supported diagnostic tools. It is led by Markus Plass.
  • Liquid biopsy: when to order a blood-based test, using ESR1 testing as a worked example. The session is led by Samantha Hasenleithner.
  • “From bedside to bench and back”: a closing roundtable and evaluation led by Michael Dengler.

Training 4: Genome Editing – Introduction & Applications

The morning training sessions give participants a practical grounding in genome editing, led by researchers from the Division of Oncology. Topics include:

  • An overview of the technology and how to choose the right tool.
  • Experimental design and planning for CRISPR knockout and activation, and for whole-genome CRISPR screens.
  • Editing of primary cancer cells.
  • In vivo genome editing and mouse models.

Trainers are Michael Dengler, Gustav Jonsson and Amar Balihodzic.

Together, the two events combine clinical insight with hands-on molecular methods. This reflects the project’s aim of connecting research and the clinic in the fight against cancer.

The full programme is available on the event page.