IFOM-ISTITUTO FONDAZIONE DI ONCOLOGIA MOLECOLARE ETS

Their core work

IFOM is a molecular oncology research institute in Milan focused on understanding the fundamental mechanisms of cancer — particularly how DNA damage, repair, and replication errors drive tumor formation and resistance to therapy. Their core strength lies in dissecting the DNA damage response (DDR), chromatin biology, and cellular senescence at the molecular level. They also investigate how metabolism and epigenetics influence cancer progression, and increasingly explore how DDR pathways can be targeted to trigger anti-cancer immunity. Beyond cancer, their expertise in cell biology extends to vascular biology and brain microcirculation disorders.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), IFOM's portfolio was broader and more exploratory — spanning computational biology, plant sciences, biophysics, and mathematical modelling (via QUANTEXBIO), alongside foundational cell biology projects on mechanotransduction, nuclear envelope integrity, and RNA splicing. From 2019 onward, their focus sharpened dramatically toward DNA damage response, telomere biology, cancer metabolism, and therapeutic resistance, with increasing emphasis on translational applications like immunotherapy and single-cell approaches. This shift signals a maturing institute that has consolidated around its core DDR expertise while building new capabilities in cancer immunology and precision oncology technologies.

IFOM is converging on the intersection of DNA repair, cancer immunity, and single-cell technologies — positioning itself as a partner for translational oncology projects that bridge molecular mechanisms with therapeutic strategies.

How they like to work

IFOM frequently leads projects — coordinating 12 out of 21, including multiple ERC Advanced Grants and Proof of Concept awards, which signals strong PI-driven research leadership. Their 109 unique partners across 21 countries indicate a broad, hub-like network rather than reliance on a few repeat collaborators. They are comfortable both running their own investigator-led grants and contributing specialized DDR/cancer biology expertise to larger training networks (MSCA-ITN) and collaborative research actions.

IFOM has built a wide European network of 109 unique consortium partners spanning 21 countries, reflecting deep integration into the EU research landscape. As a Milan-based institute, they are well-connected across Western and Central Europe, with particularly strong ties through MSCA training networks and ERC-funded collaborations.

What sets them apart

IFOM is one of Europe's most focused molecular oncology institutes, with an unusually deep concentration on DNA damage response mechanisms — a field that sits at the heart of modern cancer therapy development. Their combination of ERC Advanced Grant-level fundamental research with translational projects on therapeutic resistance and cancer immunology makes them a rare bridge between basic discovery and clinical relevance. For consortium builders, IFOM brings both scientific prestige (multiple ERC grants) and practical expertise in DDR, making them an ideal partner for oncology, ageing, or precision medicine proposals.

Highlights from their portfolio

• TeloRNAaging
  Largest single grant (EUR 2.5M ERC Advanced), investigating damage-induced non-coding RNA at telomeres — connects their DDR expertise with ageing biology at the frontier of the field.
• V-EPC
  EUR 2.45M ERC Advanced Grant on brain microcirculation — demonstrates IFOM's reach beyond oncology into vascular and neurological disease, broadening their partnership potential.
• TARGET
  Recent large collaborative project (EUR 715K to IFOM) linking DNA repair pathways to anti-cancer immunity — signals their move toward immunotherapy applications.