The Department of Experimental Oncology (DEO) was founded in 1995 as the research wing of the European Institute of Oncology (IEO), with a strong focus on fundamental cancer research.
Our vision is to generate profound knowledge about fundamental mechanisms involved in cancer onset, development and maintenance. By working at the interface between curiosity and patient benefit, we aim at filling the gap among fundamental, translational and clinical science to create an integrated scientific workflow involving fundamental scientists and clinicians.
Our Aims are the development of new molecular markers (to design better diagnostic and predictive tools), the identification of novel molecular targets (to develop innovative drugs), and the optimization of therapeutic approaches (by combining targeted treatments).
Our research builds on five principles:
i) Independent Academic Science, driven by a bottom-up approach, where our Principal Investigators (PIs) lead and secure funding for their own research.
ii) Strong Interaction with IEO clinicians, as our PIs are part of the IEO Clinical Programs and coordinate specific Translational Research Programs.
iii) Cutting-edge technology, including Technological Units with state-of-the-art equipment and expertise, and Clinical Technoshots for the dissemination of technologies that may favor specific translational-research projects.
iv) Interactive Environment, with open-space lab (cell-culture, wet and bio-informatics), weekly departmental meetings to discuss ongoing projects, annual scientific departmental retreats, Board of experts (department PIs) for each Technological Units.
v) Emphasis on Personnel Training, including i) two tenure-track programs for junior PIs (Fundamental Science Program and Clinical Scientist Program); ii) a "Transition to Independence" program to boost highly talented young researchers towards an independent scientific career and iii) five international cancer research PhD programs aimed at developing a new generation of fundamental scientists, clinician scientists or experts in medical humanities, carried out by the European School of Molecular Medicine (SEMM).
Our Outlook is the creation of a new generation of fundamental researchers or clinician scientists and technological infrastructures to lead the transition toward Personalized Oncology.
