The ITB is the largest institute of its kind in Italy and was established to pioneer new types of cross-disciplinary biomedical research by bringing biology, engineering, medicine, and the basic sciences together. This is achieved by means of collaborations between industry and basic scientists and clinicians from a broad range of disciplines. One of the most important aims of its research mission is translating fundamental discoveries into new technologies.The major focuses of the institute are Omics Technologies, Bioinformatics, stem cell research, oncology, neurodegenerative disorders, human microbiome and Bioethics.