The Basic-Research activities of IEO are carried out at the Department of Experimental Oncology, which is located within a Campus also hosting the European School of Molecular Medicine, the FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology, and the Center for Genomic Science of the Italian Institute of Technology. The Department of Experimental Oncology of IEO is composed of about 250 scientists, 17 Group Leaders and 2 Unit Directors. It also includes three dedicated Translational Programs: Drug Discovery Program, Molecular Medicine Program and SmartFood Program.
Scientific interests. Are mainly focused on molecular (genomic instability, epigenomic alterations, cell-fate determination) and biological (tumor cell-heterogeneity, microenvironment) mechanisms of transformation. Emphasis is given to generation of tumor models (yeast, mouse-models, xenotransplants), applications of high-throughput screening-technologies (proteomics, (epi)genomics, and structural biology) and development of dedicated computational tools and approaches.
Centralized Technological Services. The Department shares state-of-the-art technological platforms and facilities with IFOM and IIT, including: Genomics, Crystallography, Mass Spectrometry, Imaging, Mice, Protein Chemistry, PCR and other DNA services, Microarrays.
Open and collaborative research environment. The Department has adopted an open-space lab-model that fosters communication, cooperation between researchers, and participation in the decision-making process of lab management. The Department employs highly qualified technical staff to work in Core Support Units (Cell Culture; Kitchen; Technical Services; Information Technology).
High-profile post-graduate Educational Programs. We provides postgraduate education through the European School of Molecular Medicine with three PhD programs (Molecular Oncology, Computational Biology and Foundations & Ethics of the Life Sciences) and an International postdoc program.
University of Milan. The Department actively collaborates with the University of Milan and several of our scientists are also University Professors.
Governance. The Scientific Governance of the Department is entrusted to the Chairman and the Managing Director of the Department. Specific Committees collaborate to provide scientific and/or strategic advice on selected topics: the Managing Office, which provides financial planning, control and services; the Administration Office, which provides administration services, including a centralized secretary-office; the Chairman’s Office, which oversees all the strategic and operational activities of the Department and operates through a number of specific committees (Scientific Committee, Management Committee, User Groups, and an external Recruitment & Career Committee).