Research infrastructure and expertise for applied and industrial research
PRP@CERIC (Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC upgrade) is an integrated research infrastructure dedicated to advancing infectious disease research and strengthening pandemic preparedness.
Coordinated by Area Science Park, the initiative connects cutting edge laboratories, advanced analytical technologies and multidisciplinary expertise within a unified digital ecosystem distributed across Italy.
Through open access and cross-sector collaboration, PRP@CERIC supports innovation in diagnostics, therapeutics and outbreak response, providing tailored services to academic and industrial users.
Equipment and expertise
The PRP@CERIC infrastructure is articulated across a network of Operational Units hosted by partner institutions, providing access to advanced laboratories, analytical platforms and multidisciplinary expertise.
- Laboratory of Genomics and Epigenomics (LAGE) – Area Science Park
- Laboratory of Data Engineering (LADE) – Area Science Park
- Laboratory of Multiomics (LAAS) – Area Science Park
- Electron Microscopy Laboratory – CNR-IOM
- Laboratory for the Study of Intermolecular Interactions – CNR-IC
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFARMA) – University of Salerno
- Department of Information Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Applied Mathematics (DIEM) – University of Salerno
- SEM Laboratory + RF Sputtering Laboratory – University of Salento
- Laboratory BIO AMS – University of Salento
- Laboratory of Nanomedicine, Nanobioelectronics and Nanobiotechnology – University of Salento
- Bioelectronics Task Force – University of Naples “Federico II”
- Functional Screening Facility – ICGEB
- Biosafety Level 3 Laboratory – ICGEB
- Structural Biology Laboratory & Protein Facility – Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste
- SISSI Bio OFF-line – Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste
- Nanoinnovation Lab – Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste
- IUVS OFF-line – Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste
Key users and applications
The infrastructure enables applications in pathogen characterization, diagnostics development, drug discovery, biosecurity and outbreak preparedness, contributing to both scientific advancement and public health resilience.
Through tailored services and collaborative approaches, PRP@CERIC addresses the specific needs of different user groups:
- Researchers
- Hospitals and diagnostic laboratories
- Biotech companies and industry
- Policy makers and public health stakeholders
Available technology
The infrastructure provides access to a set of analytical and experimental platforms covering multiple levels of biomedical investigation. Dedicated scientific teams support experimental planning, technical execution, and data interpretation within an integrated research framework.
- BSL-2 High-Throughput Screening
- BSL-3 High-Throughput Screening
- BSL-3 New Pathogen Production, Isolation/Acquisition and Characterization
- BSL-3 Studies (Drugs, Diagnostic Products, Inactivation Strategies)
- BSL-3 in-vivo Studies (Infections, Drugs, Vaccines)
- Protein Production and High-Throughput Crystallization
- Target-ligand Interaction Studies
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy and Structural Characterization
- Chemical and Phenotypic Characterization
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy
- Advanced Cytometry
- Atomic Force Microscopy & Nanoindentation
- DNA Sequencing
- DNA Methylation Sequencing
- RNA Sequencing
- Single-Cell Sequencing
- Spatial Transcriptomics
- Genotyping & Arrays
- Metabolomics Analysis
- Lipidomics Analysis
- Proteomics Analysis
- MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry Analysis
- Accelerator Mass Spectrometry
- HPC Infrastructure
- Bionformatic Tools
- Noise/Impedance and Photo Characterization
- Plant-Microbe Interaction
- Food Microbiology
- Magnetic Resonance
Training activities
PRP@CERIC promotes advanced training initiatives through a program of Advanced Schools hosted by partner institutions. These activities provide theoretical and hands-on training aligned with the infrastructure’s core scientific and technological areas, primarily targeting researchers and technologists, while also welcoming participants from academia and industry.
Ongoing School: Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC) – organized by Area Science Park and SISSA.
The project “Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC Upgrade” PRP@CERIC is financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) in the frame of the Mission 4 “Education and Research”, Component 2 “From Research to Business”, Investment Line 3.1 “Fund for the creation of an integrated system of research and innovation infrastructures”, funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU.
CONTACTS
For additional information about the infrastructure, access procedures and ongoing activities