Our Scientific Pillars

1. Principles of Genetic Interaction

Cancer vulnerabilities often arise from interactions between genes rather than single-gene effects. We focus on identifying recurring interaction patterns — including synthetic lethality, buffering relationships, paralog dependencies, and pathway imbalances — to derive generalisable principles that explain when and why specific genetic combinations become lethal.

2. Diverse Experimental Systems

Understanding cancer dependencies requires experimental models that capture different dimensions of tumour biology. We use a wide range of systems, including cancer cell lines, patient-derived organoids, engineered cellular models, and in vivo platforms. Together, these complementary models allow us to study genetic interactions across different levels of biological complexity and physiological relevance.

3. Next-Generation Perturbation Technologies

We go beyond conventional gene knockout screens by using a variety of perturbation approaches, including combinatorial CRISPR screening, CRISPR interference and activation, RNA and epigenome editing, and other tunable genetic tools. These technologies allow us to explore gene dosage effects, buffering interactions, and clinically relevant inhibition regimes.

4. Multimodal Mechanistic Mapping

Cancer dependencies manifest through coordinated changes across molecular and phenotypic layers. We integrate diverse measurements—including transcriptomics, epigenomics, proteomics, metabolomics, spatial profiling, and imaging—to capture the multidimensional consequences of genetic perturbations and reveal the mechanisms underlying tumour survival.

5. Prediction Across Space, Time, and Biological Contexts

Cancer vulnerabilities are dynamic properties shaped by tumour evolution, cellular plasticity, and therapeutic pressure. We study these dynamics using longitudinal models, pre- and post-treatment samples, and microenvironment-informed systems to understand how vulnerabilities emerge, shift, or disappear during tumour progression.

6. A Federated European Research Infrastructure

We operate through a distributed research infrastructure across Europe. Shared data standards, interoperable experimental platforms, and coordinated analytical frameworks enable institutions to contribute data and expertise while maintaining local governance. This collaborative model turns Europe’s scientific diversity into a collective engine for discovery.