IMAXT and Rosetta: the teams that took on the 3D tumour mapping challenge
Learn about how IMAXT and Rosetta have been at the forefront of the spatial biology revolution.
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Spatial biology
Registration is now open via the link below.Currently viewing section: About
About
Date: 1 - 3 September 2026
Location: The Royal Society, 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG UK
This meeting will now be held in memory of Professor Greg Hannon who sadly passed away in April 2026. Greg was an extraordinary scientist, leader and collaborator. He was also a champion of Cancer Grand Challenges from its inception, through his leadership of the ground-breaking IMAXT and SPACE teams, and more recently as part of the ILLUMINE team. Greg was the Chair of the organising committee for this meeting and his incredible contributions to the field will be recognised in the programme.
This landmark conference will bring together global leaders in cancer research, technology development and clinical practice to explore the frontiers of spatial biology. As a rapidly evolving field, discover how cutting-edge tools and collaborative science are unlocking new insights into cancer and how they can shape the future of patient care.
Sponsors
Registration and abstract submissions
Registration is now open and will close on Monday 13 July 2026. If you’re interested in attending, register here.
Fees
Registration includes VAT, a light breakfast, networking lunch and coffee breaks on all days, and a welcome reception on Tuesday 1 September. See fees below:
- Student/PhD/Postdoc - £150
- Academic/Clinical - £300
- Industry - £500
Please note that the above prices to not include Eventbrite fees (6.95%, 59p, plus VAT).
Abstract submissions
Abstract submissions will open on Monday 5 January along with registration and close on Friday 29 May 2026. Abstracts can be submitted at the final stage of registration via the link above. There will be many opportunities for selected talks and poster presentations.
Abstract evaluation will start after the deadline and may take up to four weeks to complete depending on the number of submissions we receive. Acceptance notifications will go out via email before the end of June 2026. We appreciate your patience. Please note that it is not required to submit an abstract to attend the conference.
Speakers
Programme
10:00 – 11:00
Registration
11:00 – 11:30
Welcome and Greg Hannon tribute
Theme one: Innovating spatial technologies for cancer discovery and intervention
11:30 – 12:00
Organiser talk: Dario Bressan, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute
12:00 – 12:30
Invited speaker: Rong Fan, Yale University
12:30 – 13:00
Selected abstracts
13:00 – 13:30
Invited speaker: Fei Chen, Broad Institute
13:30 – 14:30
Lunch served around posters
Theme one continued: Innovating spatial technologies for cancer discovery and intervention
14:30 – 15:00
Invited speaker: Shahar Alon, Bar-Ilan University
15:00 – 15:45
Selected abstracts
15:45 – 16:15
Refreshments served around posters
Theme one continued: Innovating spatial technologies for cancer discovery and intervention
16:15 – 16:45
Invited speaker: Elizabeth Hillman, St. Judes Children's Research Hospital
16:45 – 17:15
Selected abstracts
17:15 – 17:30
Flash talks
17:30 – 19:30
Poster session and welcome reception
08:30 – 08:30
Registration, welcome coffee and poster setup
Theme two: Translating spatial technologies: from lab prototypes to clinical practice
08:30 – 09:00
Organiser talk: Sinem Saka, EMBL
09:00 – 09:30
Invited speaker: Joakim Lundeberg, SciLifeLab
09:30 – 10:00
Selected abstracts
10:00 – 10:30
Invited speaker: Bernd Bodenmiller, IMHS Zurich
10:30 – 10:45
Selected abstracts
10:45 – 11:15
Refreshments served around posters
Theme two continuted: Translating spatial technologies: from lab prototypes to clinical practice
11:15 – 11:45
Invited speaker: Peter Sorger, Harvard University
11:45 – 12:00
Selected abstracts
12:00 – 12:45
Panel discussion
12:45 – 13:45
Lunch served around posters
Theme three: Making spatial data work: from pixels to patient impact
13:45 – 14:15
Organiser talk: Nic Walton, University of Cambridge
14:15 – 14:45
Invited speaker: Jason Swedlow, University of Dundee (Delta Tissue)
14:45 – 15:15
Selected abstracts
15:15 – 15:45
Invited speaker: Adam Taylor, Sage Bionetworks
15:45 – 16:15
Refreshments served around posters
Theme three continued: Making spatial data work: from pixels to patient impact
16:15 – 16:45
Invited speaker: Dana Pe'er, Sloan Kettering Institute
16:45 – 17:00
Selected abstracts
17:00 – 19:00
Poster session and reception
08:00 – 09:00
Welcome refreshments
Theme three continued: Making spatial data work: from pixels to patient impact
09:00 – 09:30
Invited speaker: Oliver Stegle, EMBL
09:30 – 10:00
Selected abstracts
Theme four: Scaling impact: insights from flagship programmes and global consortia
10:00 – 10:30
Invited speaker: Josephine Bunch, NPL
10:30 – 11:00
Selected abstracts
11:00 – 11:30
Refreshments served around posters
Theme four continued: Scaling impact: insights from flagship programmes and global consortia
11:30 – 12:00
Invited speaker: Sarah Teichmann, University of Cambridge
12:00 – 12:45
Panel discussion
12:45 – 13:00
Poster prize and closing remarks
13:00 – 14:30
Lunch
Scientific themes
The field of spatial biology is at an inflection point, thanks to rapid advancements in AI-driven analysis and multi-omics integration. Emerging tools and technologies have allowed spatial mapping of tumour tissues, providing unprecedented insights into tumour heterogeneity, revealing complex cellular interactions within the microenvironment, enabling researchers to map cancer progression and resistance in three dimensions.
By addressing key challenges, such as the sheer volume of data being generated as well as the integration of vastly different approaches, spatial biology is now poised to move even further away from descriptive studies towards addressing important translational questions by becoming integrated in the clinic. Potential applications range from identifying predictive biomarkers and understanding treatment resistance mechanisms to informing precision medicine strategies.
Topics will include:
- Emerging tools and technologies
- Technology development
- Data visualisation, integration and management
- Tackling tissue and tumour heterogeneity
- Clinical applications and impact on cancer research
- The power of consortia and large-scale collaboration in the spatial biology space
- Future directions and unanswered questions
Who should attend?
This conference is for the wider scientific community, not just Cancer Grand Challenges funded researchers. To enable big picture discussions, we invite not just academic researchers, but also clinicians and medical professionals, technology developers, those from the pharmaceutical industry and biotech, as well as funding bodies and policymakers.
Sponsorship
Be part of the future of cancer research. Connect your organisation with some of the leading names in cancer research by sponsoring a Cancer Grand Challenges Conference.
Find out more Cancer Grand Challenges and spatial biology
In 2015 Cancer Grand Challenges set the 3D tumour mapping challenge and funded teams IMAXT and Rosetta. The teams have been at the forefront of the spatial biology revolution and their progress has poised the research community to be able to develop new treatment strategies in ways that wouldn't have been possible before. In 2024 a further investment of £5.25M from CRUK was provided to members of IMAXT to set up the Spatial Profiling and Annotation Centre of Excellence (SPACE).
Based at the University of Cambridge and led by Professor Greg Hannon, along with Dr Nicholas Walton and Dr Dario Bressan, SPACE will democratise IMAXT’s cutting-edge spatial biology platform and foster collaborations across the research community. By enabling scientists worldwide to explore tumours in 3D, SPACE is advancing our understanding of cancer's complexity within its spatial context.
Scientific Steering Committee
This conference is being organised by a dedicated steering committee.
Meet the committee members below.
Event information
Attendees wishing to cancel their place can receive a full refund up to 30 working days before the event start date. All cancellations must be made in writing to events@cancergrandchallenges.org by 21st July 2026. Any cancellations received after this date will not be refunded. Attendees can send a replacement free of charge.
Cancer Grand Challenges is co-founded and operationally delivered by Cancer Research UK (CRUK). The refund policy, code of conduct and guiding principles will be implemented at all CRUK events delivered by Cancer Grand Challenges. Cancer Research UK is not liable for any travel or accommodation costs relating to attendee bookings.
The conference will be held at The Royal Society, located at 6-9 Carlton House Terrace, London SW1Y 5AG. Please see venue and transport link information below:
Detailed directions from the venue website
Stations Charing Cross (underground and national rail) and Piccadilly Circus (underground) are both a 7 – 10 minute walk
For travel to London by rail or DLR, consult National Rail Enquiries
For travel within London, including from airports, consult Transport for London Journey Planner
We advise travelling by public transport, but should you wish to drive, use directions to The Royal Society. The venue is located within the congestion charge zone. On-street parking on Carlton House Terrace and Waterloo Place is available for up to four hours, for £3.30 - £4.40 per hour. Westminster City Council's Trafalgar Square car park is also near by.
The Royal Society is in a central London location with many hotels near by. See below a few suggestions; we strongly recommend booking early to secure a good rate:
Please take a moment to familiarise yourself with the important information below regarding how we run our events:
- Guiding principles for our events
- Code of Conduct
- Prioritising environmental sustainability
- Regarding health and safety, we work closely with venues to ensure the health and safety of all our attendees.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about this event, please send us an email. We'll endeavour to respond to you within two working days.
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