The CutCancer project aimed to strengthen and increase the research and innovation capacity and excellence of the National Institute of Biology (NIB) in Slovenia. This was achieved through targeted twinning activities with three internationally renowned institutions: Swansea University from the UK (SWAN), Stockholm University from Sweden (SU) and Stichting Amsterdam UMC from the Netherlands (VUmc), all of which poses specific, unique and complementary knowledge and expertise that is highly desired and needed at NIB. Together with ongoing substantial infrastructural improvements and significant research equipment upgrades, CutCancer enabled implementation of cutting-edge approaches and methodologies (including advanced in vitro 3D cell models, spatial and single-cell analyses), facilitating frontier research in the field of preclinical 3D cancer research. CutCancer encompassed the development of synergies between research institutions, fostering networking and participation in future Research and Innovation processes. CutCancer went beyond the purely scientific aspects and raised the management and administrative capacity of NIB to reach a top level. Twinning activities included specific hands-on training (10 trainings accomplished with 12 participants), expert visits (14 short visits accomplished with 19 participants), webinars, workshops and summer school, job shadowing (within the project lifetime 3 corporative staff exchanges with 20 participants were accomplished) and exchange of best practices, targeting strategically selected research and administrative areas. Results were disseminated at 54 international and national conferences and targeted events for relevant stakeholders ranging from the scientific community to the health sector, professional networks, students, and the general public. By the end of the project, a total of 47 new international research project proposals, 40 research and innovation networks, and 7 research support-related projects had been prepared and submitted in collaboration with CutCancer partners and/or external institutions, building directly on the knowledge, methodologies, and approaches transferred through the twinning activities. In terms of outcomes, by the end of the project, a subset of the submitted proposals was selected for funding (altogether 20 projects), enabling immediate follow‑on research and consolidation of the twinning results at NIB and across partner labs. The CutCancer strategic action plan was designed to ensure long-term sustainability of project outcomes, including continued collaboration within the consortium and beyond, future joint research proposals coordinated by NIB, and the shared use and further development of newly implemented methodologies and infrastructure.
