IFOM News and Press Releases

NOTCH: a therapeutic target in 30% of lung cancers Milan, 14 December 2009 -  The Notch receptor is a protein that is known to be involved in the formation and development of cancer. Until today, this receptor was known to be involved in certain types of leukaemia, but its role in solid tumours, the most common group of human cancers, was unknown. Now a team of scientists and clinicians who work at the IFOM-IEO Campus in Milan, and who are affiliated with IFOM (FIRC Institute of Molecular Oncology), IEO (European Institute of Oncology) and the University of Milan, have uncovered a role for Notch in lung cancer. The study, which will soon be published in scientific journal PNAS, demonstrates that Notch is functionally altered in more than one third of lung cancers. Simona Polo, the only Italian scientist to be awarded the EMBO Young Investigator 2009 November 05, 2009 -  The European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO) announced today the names of 17 young scientists who have been selected for the 2009 "EMBO Young Investigator Programme". The Programme, which was launched almost 10 years ago, selects annually the most promising and creative European scientists working in Life Sciences. Simona Polo, the only Italian amongst this year?s winners, was awarded the title in recognition of the high standard of her research. She will join a prestigious network of approximately 230 EMBO Young Investigators. The main objectives of the EMBO Programme are to raise the profile of young group leaders and to create new opportunities to attract funding and establish collaborations. The Programme offers scientific leaders of tomorrow unique benefits to support them in establishing their reputation as excellent scientists and also acknowledges their contribution to European research. Italian researcher wins the prestigious EACR Young Cancer Researcher Award September 23, 2009 -  Chromosomal acrobatics help protect against cancer Milan, September 3, 2009 -  Scientists at IFOM have used an innovative experimental approach to create a three-dimensional view of the process that helps to protect DNA stability and defend us against spontaneous cancer-causing mutations. The discovery, published today in Cell advances our understanding of the molecular basis of cancer and opens new avenues in the development of targeted anti-cancer therapies. Zooming in on genome breakages could reveal hidden secrets of cancer Milan, April 9, 2009 -  Scientists at IFOM in Milan have uncovered the mechanisms that cause tumours to develop in patients suffering from Ataxia-Telangiectasia (AT) and Ataxia-Telangiectasia Like Disorder (ATLD): rare hereditary diseases that predispose afflicted individuals to cancer. The study opens new avenues for the development of personalized anti-cancer therapies and early diagnostic tests. The research is featured on the front cover of Cell, published online today. Milan - Singapore: an International Bridge to Foster Biomedical Research Milan, March 23, 2009 -  An international cooperation agreement highly relevant from both the scientific and the institutional perspective was signed today at the IFOM-IEO Campus between IFOM - the FIRC Institute for Molecular Oncology Foundation, IEO - the European Institute of Oncology - and SEMM - the European School for Molecular Medicine - from Milan on the one hand, and A*STAR, the Agency for Science, Technology and Research of Singapore which is now considered the fourth major international hub for research, on the other. A molecule originally identified in the brain revealed as a potential accomplice to metastasis Milan, March 13, 2009 -  Scientists at the IFOM-IEO Campus in Milan have recently uncovered a novel role for the neural adhesion molecule L1 in the regulation of the immune system. The discovery, published in the Journal of Experimental Medicine, paves the way for new therapies to treat autoimmune diseases, as well as metastatic cancers, such as colon cancer, melanoma and ovarian carcinoma. Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna receives the Sapio Award for Italian Research 21 January 2009 -  Fabrizio d'Adda di Fagagna from the IFOM Foundation in Milan was today awarded with the prestigious Sapio prize, which is now in its tenth 10 year. The Sapio Award recognizes young scientists who have made important contributions to basic research in fields aimed at bettering the quality of life.