The research of the group focuses on the genetics of three common types of epithelial cancer (gastric, breast and colorectal carcinoma). The group aims at: identifying individuals at increased risk for cancer; clinico-pathological features and molecular markers occurring in the setting of familial and sporadic carcinoma; signalling pathways mediated by genetic and environmental factors pivotal for tumour development. This knowledge will contribute to improve screening, diagnosis and therapeutic selection of patients.  Specifically, the group aims to unravel the role of P and E-cadherin dependent signalling pathways pivotal for cell invasion, migration and survival, in an attempt to identify new therapeutic targets to be used in patients with tumours harbouring molecular alterations of these cell adhesion molecules.