The Nordic Alliance for Single-Cell and Spatial Analysis (NASSA) is a proposed collaboration between leading research infrastructures in Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden. Its goal is to coordinate and strengthen access to advanced single-cell and spatial omics technologies across the Nordic region. These technologies are essential for understanding complex tissues, revealing how individual cells function in health and disease. They are widely used in cancer research, neuroscience, immunology, precision medicine, and developmental biology.
Despite strong national efforts, collaboration across Nordic countries in this field remains limited. NASSA will address this gap by establishing a sustainable Nordic network that connects researchers, staff, and infrastructures through shared training, technology access, and method development. The participating partners – SciLifeLab (Sweden), CellX (Denmark), Oslo University Hospital (Norway), and FIMM (Finland) – are nationally recognized centers offering cutting-edge services and technologies in genomics, single-cell, and spatial analysis.
By combining complementary expertise, NASSA will improve access to rare or emerging instruments, harmonize protocols, and provide coordinated training and support to users from academia, healthcare, and industry. The initiative also promotes mobility through staff exchanges and joint activities, enabling researchers to gain hands-on experience and stay up to date with new developments.
The alliance directly supports the goals of the funding call by enhancing Nordic coordination, efficiency, and research excellence. It aligns with institutional priorities for international collaboration and long-term sustainability, with strong backing from national infrastructure strategies.
NASSA will accelerate scientific discovery, reduce duplication of expensive infrastructure, and strengthen the global competitiveness of Nordic research. Through improved access and expertise, it will empower more researchers to conduct cutting-edge studies and foster innovation across the region.
