The Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics is conducting epidemiological research activity on a wide range of topics, focusing on patients with cancer or on patients at increased risk of developing the disease. It has continuously attempted to develop international collaborative research programmes and as a result, the majority of the research activities involve co-operation with scientists from a range of disciplines, both intra-mural and extra-mural.

The Division also provides consultation in a wide range of areas including the statistical design of experiments and clinical trials, including sample size calculations and randomisation schemes, protocol development, database management, analysis of data and interpretation of results, preparation of interim reports and manuscripts. In addition, staff in the Division has developed a strong expertise in the field of statistical modelling and in the conduct of meta-analyses, providing important information to public-health policy makers and clinicians. The Division also conducted nutritional studies to assess the association between nutrient intake, nutrient pattern and cancer risk. In the last years, the Division has gained experience in the conduct of epidemiological studies with particular attention to clinical intervention trials.

The Division is responsible for the Food Composition Database for Epidemiological Studies in Italy, which has become a major instrument for the conduction of National epidemiological nutritional studies. The principal investigator is Patrizia Gnagnarella (patrizia.gnagnarella@ieo.it). This database, published by the European Institute of Oncology, has been available online since 2007. The consultation is free and accessible to anyone wishing to know the macro and micronutrient composition of the major foods present in our diet. The Food Composition Database for Epidemiological Studies in Italy (BDA) is available at the website www.bda-ieo.it