Research

Dana-Farber remains true to Dr. Sidney Farber's vision of a cancer center as dedicated to discoveries in cancer research as it is to delivering compassionate, patient-centered care. Through strategic investment in research, we support scientific leaders and young investigators, acquire technology at the leading edge of cancer research, and ensure a spirit of collaboration and innovation.

Today's researchers face many challenges, from competition for grant funding to work-life balance. Recognizing this, Dana-Farber’s Office of Research seeks to continuously enhance the support services and resources available to our faculty.

Clinical Trials

Clinical trials are scientific studies in which new treatments – drugs, diagnostic procedures, and other therapies – are tested in patients to determine if they are safe and effective. Search ongoing clinical trials for cancer at Dana-Farber and affiliated institutions, and learn what it means to participate in a clinical trial.

Departments, Centers, and Labs

Dana-Farber's commitment to fight cancer with equal parts research and patient care is supported by a broad and deep array of resources. These resources are organized into a number of specialized departments, centers, and labs that have evolved over time in response to changes in perceived needs and the availability of new technologies.

Core Facilities

Dana-Farber maintains a variety of resources to support the research and educational activities of Dana-Farber faculty. These core facilities, shared resources, and integrative research centers offer research services to the Boston research community, including academic institutions and industry.

Innovations

The mission of the Belfer Office for Dana-Farber Innovations is to facilitate the transfer of research innovations from the laboratory to the clinic through timely commercialization, and to help Dana-Farber investigators create these innovations through external collaborations and relationships with industry.

Featured Research

At Dana-Farber, scientists are attacking cancer at every level: unraveling the most basic mechanisms in cells and tissues, discovering molecular targets for new "smart" drug therapies, harnessing the immune forces to combat cancer, and seeking to identify disparities in cancer incidence and treatment in diverse populations.

Our Researchers

Find information about our researchers and find out how Dana-Farber supports our researchers through the Office of Research and the Postdoc and Graduate Student Affairs Office.

Explore Dana-Farber Research Jobs

With a research career at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, you'll play an important role in helping to fulfill our mission and ultimate goal: the eradication of cancer and related diseases.

William G. Kaelin Jr., MD, Wins 2019 Nobel Prize in Medicine

Read about Dr. Kaelin's award, his scientific discoveries, his reactions to winning the award, and much more.

Dana-Farber's 2022 Scientific Symposium

In honor of the 75th anniversary of Dana-Farber, we were thrilled to present a full-day Scientific Symposium. Links to videos are now available.

Publications by Dana-Farber Researchers

See recent articles published by Dana-Farber researchers as gathered on PubMed.

Support Our Cancer Research

To learn more about the many ways you can support Dana-Farber's research initiatives with a philanthropic gift, please contact Rebecca Shortle at 617-632-4215 or rebecca_shortle@dfci.harvard.edu.