Benedetta Artegiani selected as EMBO Young Investigator

Dr. Benedetta Artegiani has been selected for the European Molecular Biology Organization (EMBO)’s Young Investigator Programme. Artegiani is one of 27 European researchers joining the prestigious international network of life scientists.

The EMBO Young Investigator Programme aims to support newly established research group leaders financially for networking, and offers them training opportunities, support for their lab members and mentoring. As an EMBO Young Investigator, Benedetta Artegiani and her group members will have access to an extensive network of nearly 800 life scientists across Europe.

Artegiani’s research aims to understand the mechanisms that cells use for cancer to develop and grow. ‘The cellular processes in fetal and child development are intimately linked with cancer, especially childhood cancer,’ says Artegiani. ‘That’s why we use a developmental biology perspective in our research. Our lab aims to shed light on the mechanisms by which healthy cells transform into cancer cells, and what it takes for them to be successful at this transformation. Ultimately, we would like to understand: how and why do tumors originate?’

Human organoid models

To answer these questions, Artegiani aims to create research models that increasingly closely mimic the complexity of healthy and cancerous human tissues. These human organoid models are mini 3D versions of different organs and tumor types. ‘I believe that our extensive expertise in building complex and next-generation human organoid models, combined with tailored gene-editing tools, will be of great value for the EMBO community,’ says Artegiani. ‘I hope to initiate new collaborations to study a variety of questions on healthy and diseased development processes, including childhood cancer. For example, based on our novel human fetal brain organoids.’

Vibrant international community

Artegiani is very happy and honored to have been selected as EMBO Young Investigator: ‘I think it is a nice recognition both for the research that we have done so far and that we will do in the future. I look forward to exchanging ideas with some of the best scientists in Europe, and receiving mentorship from excellent EMBO members. I’m really pleased that our group members, too, will benefit from the program: they will get the opportunity to exchange ideas by visiting other labs in the network. Brainstorming with other scientists in this vibrant international community will stimulate us in our current research, and will undoubtedly also inspire us in developing new research lines.’

Benedetta Artegiani joins as EMBO Young Investigator from January 2025, and will be an active member of the network for four years. The program supports young research group leaders mainly through networking and training opportunities. Artegiani will also receive an award of €15,000 euros and possibilities to apply to additional grants.