Our strength is the EXPECT (EXcellence Platform for Engineered Cell Therapies) project with which the Department has been awarded a grant of more than 7 million euros from the Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) for the period 2023-2027.

EXPECT contributes to the development and use of immunotherapy through some of the most innovative cellular technologies, such as "chimeric antigen receptor" (CAR-T) and "T cell receptor" (TCR-T) expressing T cells, intercepting some of the most urgent curative needs, namely the treatment of more aggressive cancers resistant to traditional therapies.

EXPECT envisions a multidimensional impact based on the following main objectives:

1. Strengthening the infrastructure for preclinical and clinical activity of the platform for CAR-T and TCR-T cell production;
2. Recruitment of highly qualified personnel to promote research excellence and clinical transfer in the field of cellular immunotherapy;
3. Promotion of higher education, in collaboration with international institutions of excellence in the field of cellular immunotherapies, through a coordinated program of courses and exchanges of students and faculty.
4. Sharing of results through public engagement activities to disseminate progress with the community.

The scientific impact of the EXPECT project will be enhanced through formalized collaborations with national and international research institutions of excellence in the field of cellular immunotherapies (Harvard Medical School, University of Philadephia, University of North Carolina).

The economic and social impact is predominantly aimed at the national health service at the regional level and plans to achieve local production of immunotherapies for clinical use that will lead to a reduction in costs and broadening of the usability of cellular immunotherapies for the general population.

The scientific-technological impact will be amplified through partnerships with pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies.