Danish Cancer Institute shared a post on LinkedIn:
“Great inventions call for investments in discovery-based research – and the Danish Cancer Institute has a strong track record in fundamental science.
This commitment to pushing scientific boundaries was centre-stage at Frontier Research in Denmark, held last week at the University of Copenhagen (Københavns Universitet). ERC leaders and top grantees gathered to explore how bottom-up research fuels innovation and enables transformative discoveries.
In Denmark and much of Europe, fundamental research is typically rooted in universities. At DCI, an independent research institute rooted in a patient organisation, however, it’s a central strength. This was powerfully demonstrated by DCI Group Leader Anja Groth, who took the stage as an invited speaker and panellist at the event, part of the ERC Scientific Council’s visit to Copenhagen.
Anja showcased her groundbreaking ERC-supported work on epigenetic cell memory, underlining DCI’s commitment to curiosity-driven cancer research. A former ERC Starting and Consolidator Grant recipient, she began her ERC Advanced Grant at DCI in spring 2025. She will also lead the new Centre of Excellence EpiC, dedicated to understanding the epigenetic mechanisms that preserve cell identity.
A key takeaway from the event: bottom-up, fundamental research leads to more inventions than top-down thematic calls. If Europe is to stay competitive, continued investment in frontier science is essential.
Photo credit: Povl Lystrup Thomsen, University Copenhagen”
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