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The results of an important study published in the scientific journal Cell Reports describe the development of a new model capable of reconstructing key physiological features of the human liver, allowing the pathological processes that drive liver degeneration to be closely observed in the laboratory. The study, supported by AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research, has been coordinated by Giovanni Sorrentino, Group Leader, Advanced Disease Models at ICGEB, and Associate Professor of Histology at the University of Trieste, and comprises a multidisciplinary team including biotechnologists, physicists, and clinicians, to integrate cellular biology, genomics, tissue engineering, and direct clinical observations to develop the unique research platform. “The new system makes it possible to recreate the pathological activation of liver stem cells in the laboratory,” says Sorrentino, an expert in in vitro tissue engineering based on stem cell technologies and three-dimensional organoids. “In the early stages of chronic liver disease, this process has regenerative purposes. However, when it persists, it becomes one of the main factors in inflammation, tissue scarring, and progression toward advanced liver disease, including liver cancer.” For the first time, the model developed by researchers allows the observation of the pathological processes that drive liver tissue degeneration in chronic diseases and tumour progression in a three-dimensional environment that faithfully reproduces the complexity of the human liver, preserving the interactions between different cell populations. The researchers have discovered that reactive stem cell populations are critically dependent on their ability to synthesise cholesterol. Drugs widely used in clinical practice to lower cholesterol (such as statins) can halt the process of blocking abnormal stem cell activation, reducing inflammation and significantly slowing disease progression in chronic liver diseases. “In recent years,” comments Sorrentino, “clinical data from large patient populations have shown that people taking statins for the treatment of cardiovascular disease also show a slowdown in the progression of chronic liver diseases and a reduced risk of developing liver tumours such as cholangiocarcinoma, which results from prolonged abnormal activation of stem cells.” This study could reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying this connection, explaining why statins exert a protective effect. Beatrice Anfuso, Suresh Velnati, and Davide Selvestrel, the study’s lead authors, confirm that these results represent a decisive step forward. Thanks to the diverse expertise of team members, it has been possible to develop a platform that clarifies how the disease manifests itself and also reveals its initial vulnerabilities. The fact that one of these vulnerabilities can be treated with already approved drugs makes the discovery promising for early therapeutic intervention and disease prevention.

On the occasion of the year-end holiday season, we inform you that the organisation will be closed on the following days: 29, 30 and 31 December 2025 2 and 5 January 2026   Due to reduced attendance across the Area Science Park campuses, catering and bar services will operate with the following changes: Canteen and bar closures: 25–28 December 2025 2 and 5 January 2026 Pizzeria closure: 22 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 Reduced catering and bar services: On 24, 29, 30 and 31 December 2025, only one self-service line will be available. From 22 to 31 December 2025, the bar will operate reduced hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our best wishes for a happy holiday season and for a 2026 full of satisfaction and success!

The ICGEB and the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) have launched a Technology Transfer Training Programme with the aim of equipping low- and middle-income countries with the necessary knowledge and skills to accelerate the production of vaccines that can protect against emerging infectious diseases. The training course includes the participation of ten delegates from nine DCVMN member companies from countries such as Argentina, Ghana, India, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Vietnam. The training programme includes a five-week online component and a one-week laboratory training session. The first part covers the theoretical foundations of technology transfer, including Intellectual Property (IP) and licensing, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and regulatory considerations, different vaccine process platforms, and a roadmap for successful execution. The second phase takes place at the ICGEB’s Biotechnology Development Unit in Trieste and offers a practical and immersive experience in a GMP-like environment, allowing participants to put the learned concepts into practice. At the conclusion of the course, participants will return to their organizations with the necessary know-how to share the knowledge, amplify the impact of the training, and translate the learnings into concrete actions for vaccine development and production in their countries.

Support cities and regions across the Mediterranean in their fight against climate change by promoting swift, joint action to mitigate further adverse environmental, social, and economic impacts. This is the core objective of the INFIRE project — INnovative FInancing solutions for climate planning of REsilient and carbon neutral living areas — which brings together 10 expert partners with highly complementary skills. They are working together to build a long-term support framework to strengthen the capacity of public authorities in the participating regions to develop, implement, and monitor holistic policy solutions and tools for climate adaptation and carbon neutrality. To this end, the Train-the-Trainer (TtT) workshop was held at Area Science Park, bringing together technical partners from seven Mediterranean countries for two days of learning, peer exchange, and hands-on activities. The goal was to consolidate tools and methodologies that will be transferred to pilot municipalities in the next project phase, set to launch in the final months of 2025. Key topics aimed at strengthening public authorities’ competencies were addressed: from understanding the main public and private funding schemes — including innovative models such as public-private partnerships (PPPs) and citizen-led initiatives — to the criteria for selecting the most suitable financial instruments based on the specific features of different interventions. Operational aspects related to green bonds and climate bonds were also explored in depth, including eligibility criteria, issuance procedures, investor requirements, and reporting obligations, with specific attention to the needs of smaller municipalities. Finally, substantial focus was placed on building strong and efficient data management systems, which are essential for monitoring and evaluating local climate adaptation actions. Participants worked on indicators, data quality, and interoperability, developing critical skills to ensure decisions are based on reliable evidence. For more information about the INFIRE Project, click HERE.

The first NACHIP Open Call is officially open to fund innovative solutions along the hydrogen value chain, with an application deadline of 3 February 2026. NACHIP (North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform) is a platform co-funded by the European Union through the I3 instrument, aimed at accelerating clean hydrogen-related technologies in the fields of production, mobility, and urban areas. The NACHIP call is dedicated to supporting mature technological solutions in the hydrogen sector, with particular focus on innovative products, services, or processes applicable across the hydrogen value chain. Selected projects must contribute to the development, integration, or demonstration of already validated technologies (high TRL), in line with the needs of the NACHIP pilot projects in clean hydrogen production, mobility, and urban applications. The call offers up to €60,000 to highly innovative SMEs or consortia of small enterprises, funding projects with a high level of technological maturity (Technology Readiness Level > 7). The total budget available for this first open call is €540,000, covering 100% of eligible costs through a cascade funding mechanism. Eligible applicants include SMEs active in hydrogen technologies, components, digital solutions, and other relevant fields, registered in eligible EU regions (including Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Lazio, Umbria, Slovenia, and Croatia). Proposals will be evaluated based on their strategic impact and their ability to address the technical needs of the NACHIP project and the five pilot projects foreseen under the programme. To learn more: Launch of the NACHIP Open Call for SMEs – Funding Innovative Hydrogen Solutions – NACHIP

An international group of researchers from the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and the Wellcome Sanger Institute in Cambridge, led by Gianluca Petris — now Principal Investigator of the Genome Engineering & Biotechnology Unit at the Fondazione Italiana Fegato and lecturer in the Department of Medicine at the University of Udine – has achieved an unprecedented result: transferring, modifying, and replacing entire human chromosomes while keeping their structure intact. The study, published in Science, represents a decisive breakthrough for synthetic and generative biology and for future advanced genetic therapies. The researchers developed a technology that makes it possible to move entire human chromosomes from one cell to another without damaging their DNA, to modify them in special “factory cells” made from mouse embryonic stem cells, and then to reintroduce them into final human cells. In these factory cells, the telomeres of human chromosomes – structures whose shortening is critical in aging processes and genomic stability – lengthen up to tenfold, then spontaneously return to typical human lengths once the chromosomes are transferred back into the recipient cells. It was also possible to eliminate the original chromosome from human cells and replace it with the engineered one, completing for the first time a full cycle of chromosome transplantation with unprecedented genomic fidelity. This approach allows scientists to address biological questions that have so far remained beyond the reach of traditional genome-editing tools (such as CRISPR-Cas). The new technology makes it possible to modify and causally analyze the human genome as an integrated system rather than gene by gene. It therefore becomes easier to evaluate the contribution of large regulatory regions, the role of so-called “dark DNA”, and the three-dimensional organization of DNA in the cell. Moreover, it offers a unique model for studying the chromosomal alterations typical of cancer, as well as the mechanisms underlying aging, including the dynamic behavior of telomeres. Looking ahead, this work paves the way for building synthetic chromosomes and genomes, designing cells with entirely new functions, generating cells and tissues with greater immunological compatibility and intrinsic resistance to viruses, and developing a new generation of gene therapies capable of addressing even complex and rare diseases. The experimental part of the research was conducted entirely in the United Kingdom thanks to the support of the Medical Research Council (MRC), the Wellcome Trust, and a Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Postdoctoral Fellowship awarded to Dr. Petris during his time abroad. The continuation and expansion of this line of research in Italy is now being carried out by Dr. Petris at the Fondazione Italiana Fegato and the University of Udine, thanks to competitive funding such as the My First AIRC Grant (AIRC) and the PNRR (Next Gen EU) – Young Researchers program. As Gianluca Petris emphasizes, “this is a result that only a few years ago would have been considered unattainable, and today it opens the door to a new generation of knowledge and technologies destined to have a major scientific, medical, economic, and social impact”.

The Interreg COHERENCE project – Cross Border Health Regulatory Alliance for Advanced Therapies – has launched a digital platform that supports researchers and clinicians in regulatory compliance for cell-based Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products. COHERENCE promotes a collaborative approach to research and development processes by capitalising on the experience gained by interregional partners in Italy and Slovenia. ICGEB, as the lead partner in the project, is pleased to announce the launch of a digital platform that supports researchers and clinicians in regulatory compliance for cell-based Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs). The web platform is available in three languages (Italian, Slovenian, and English). It offers a clear map of national (Italian and Slovenian) and European regulations, provides templates and checklists of the necessary forms for both countries (including the CTIS guide), and includes experimental protocols, publications, and conference information. Through a pilot action, the project aims to develop an open platform to guide researchers in regulatory compliance. It involves the design and conduct of a clinical trial to treat difficult wounds. In addition to advancing the development of an effective treatment for difficult wounds, the trial will test the platform, which will then be opened and expanded to encourage the participation of other research groups at the European level. The platform has been designed as an open, modular, and scalable tool to accelerate the transition from preclinical to clinical safely and ethically and to incorporate and integrate regulatory updates and new content.

A new study, supported by the research infrastructure consortium CERIC-ERIC, has found that microplastics – tiny fragments of plastic less than 5 mm in size – have begun to infiltrate even the most remote terrestrial ecosystems on Earth: the uninhabited lands of Antarctica. The research, conducted by a team of scientists from the University of Kentucky, the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, reveals that while microplastics can be ingested by the Antarctic midge Belgica antarctica, immediate physiological harm appears limited. However, the findings underscore the need for expanded monitoring as human activity and plastic pollution continue to rise globally, even at the most unexpected locations. Plastic pollution has become a defining environmental issue worldwide. Although Antarctica is geographically isolated, previous research has already shown that microplastics can reach the continent through marine transport, atmospheric deposition, tourism, and even scientific operations. However, until now, little was known about how these pollutants affect the tiny soil-dwelling invertebrates that form the foundation of Antarctic land ecosystems. “In our study – explains Nicholas Teets, entomologist at the University of Kentucky and coordinator of the research – we examined both lab-exposed and wild-collected midge larvae, offering the first comprehensive assessment of microplastic ingestion and its physiological impacts in B. antarctica, the continent’s only endemic insect and one of its most abundant terrestrial animals”. In fact, despite their size, Antarctic midges play a crucial role in nutrient recycling and soil ecosystem health: with only a handful of terrestrial animal species inhabiting the continent, any pollutant that threatens these invertebrates could affect the entire food chain. “Thanks to the use of advanced imaging techniques, such as micro–Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy – adds Elisa Bergami, ecologist at University of Modena and Reggio Emilia – we detected for the first time microplastic fragments inside the digestive tracts of wild midge larvae. Although ingestion was rare and detected in fewer than 7% of field-collected individuals, these findings confirm that plastics are reaching Antarctic soils”. Interestingly, when larvae were experimentally exposed to varying concentrations of microplastic beads for 10 days, researchers found neither effect on survival (even at doses far exceeding expected environmental levels) nor detectable change in metabolic rate, suggesting that short-term exposure does not disrupt core physiological processes. “However, we observed a decrease in lipid reserves at high doses, indicating possible impacts on energy metabolism that could have consequences during harsh Antarctic winters” points out Jack Devlin, researcher at the University of Kentucky and first author of the study. “Besides highlighting the advantages to use, in modern entomology, a multidisciplinary approach based on advanced, complementary analytical techniques (as the ones available in Elettra and in the CERIC Consortium) – comments Lisa Vaccari, senior scientist at SISSI-Bio facility of Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste – this work also shows the importance of minimizing contamination from scientific activities themselves, recommending non-invasive techniques such as μ-FTIR imaging as the most reliable method for future assessments”. While the immediate physiological effects on Belgica antarctica appear minimal, the long-term consequences – especially under increasing environmental stress – remain unknown. More in-depth studies are then urgently needed, also to examine possible tissue damage or molecular responses within insects exposed to plastics.   CERIC-ERIC is a European research infrastructure consortium established by the European Commission and the Government of eight Countries in 2014. It offers researchers and industry access to more than 60 experimental analytical and synthesis techniques in advanced research facilities in eight Central and Eastern European countries, and associated institutions. This supports multidisciplinary research down to the micro- and nano-level in the fields of advanced materials, biomaterials and nanotechnology. In CERIC’s facilities, materials can be analysed and their structure investigated by combining techniques based on the use of electrons, ions, neutrons and photons. Access to CERIC’s research services is through international calls for proposals that allow free access to multiple techniques and reward the best projects, provided their results are open and published. In addition, there is commercial access for proprietary research open to companies, and support for technology transfer.

The creation of a more efficient entrepreneurial ecosystem, a network of business acceleration programs, and new support services for enterprises and startups. These are some of the objectives achieved by the EU4EG – “EU for Economic Growth”,project, started in 2021 to relaunch North Macedonia’s economy and strengthen its competitiveness in the context of the country’s accession to the EU. Area Science Park was among its partners. In particular, the organisation contributed to the capacity building of Macedonian companies by creating an online training platform and offering specialist support to companies and start-ups. EU4EG officially concluded on November 26 in Skopje with an exhibition that brought together all the project’s partners, key institutions, and other stakeholders. Among the speakers was Luca Mercatelli of Area Science Park (Institutional Relations Office), who presented three successful cases of research-industry cooperation: a training grant model for companies located in the Science and Technology Park, the Deep Tech Revolution call to support innovative businesses, and support for participation in EU funding programs. The protagonists of the exhibition were 24 startups and 25 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises that benefited from funding provided by the project. They presented the results achieved over the past four years in terms of innovation, from the purchase of new machinery to the development of new production methods. Coordinated by the German Federal Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), EU4EG involved Area Science Park, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate, and the Central European Initiative (CEI). For more information, visit: EU4EG – EU for Economic Growth – Area Science Park.   

The InterLynk project, funded by the EU and lasting four years, achieved significant milestones in regenerative medicine by developing an integrated platform for the repair of complex tissues, such as the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). The platform combines advanced biomaterials, computational modelling, and an innovative 3D bioprinting system to create customised scaffolds capable of supporting the regeneration of both hard and soft tissues within a single structure. The project’s main innovations include: New Biomaterials: development of hydrogels and bone inks based on human-derived platelet lysates, rich in growth factors and protected by a patent, which serve as building blocks for the scaffolds Manufacturing Technology: a 3D printing system featuring a new “Print and Cure” printhead and an integrated electrospinning module, enabling real-time material solidification and adding ultrafine fibres to mimic the texture of natural tissues Clinical Approach: the work involved co-creation with surgeons and nearly 200 patients to ensure that the solutions aligned with clinical needs, aiming to bridge the gap in regenerative options that combine hard and soft tissues.   Impact and Future Perspectives InterLynk demonstrates the feasibility of more integrated repair strategies for complex defects, offering the potential for future alternatives to prosthetics, especially in cases such as severe damage to the temporomandibular joint. The work lays the foundations for personalised and clinically relevant solutions with potential applications across a wide range of musculoskeletal defects. Promoscience’s Contribution Among the eight European partners in the project, Promoscience played an important role in enhancing and disseminating the project’s scientific results, drawing on its long-standing experience in communication and digital innovation. As part of the scientific communication activities, it also organised workshops at the International School Trieste to introduce middle-school students to biotechnology and to the outcomes of the InterLynk project.

With the kick-off meeting that began today and will conclude tomorrow, 27 November, NASCHA – North Adriatic Smart Communities Hydrogen Accelerator is officially launched. The new initiative aims to accelerate the development and adoption of renewable hydrogen-based technologies within the North Adriatic ecosystem. The European project, which will last 36 months, has a total value of approximately EUR 11 million, of which EUR 7.9 million are funded by the I3 – Interregional Innovation Investments Instrument. NASCHA represents the natural evolution and a major extension of the North Adriatic Hydrogen Valley (NAHV) initiative, inheriting its vision of an integrated, resilient and interregional hydrogen value chain. It further strengthens this vision through demonstration activities, scalability tools for the proposed solutions, and dedicated acceleration programmes for SMEs. The project, led by Area Science Park, brings together 20 public and private organisations from Italy (mainly Friuli Venezia Giulia), Slovenia and Croatia, representing the entire hydrogen value chain: research institutions, innovative SMEs, large companies, business support organisations, universities and local authorities. NASCHA aims to develop three Smart Communities of Practice and two pilot projects to advance solutions based on new technologies in the green hydrogen sector from Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 to TRL 9, making them ready for the market and for investment. In addition to developing three Smart Communities of Practice (SCP) in the cities of Celje, Ajdovščina (Slovenia) and Cres (Croatia)—aimed at demonstrating the effectiveness of green hydrogen applications respectively in in urban areas, sustainable irrigation, and transport and mobility respectively through the integration of innovators, businesses, public administrations and research centres—the project also aims to strengthen the ecosystem for hydrogen production, storage and distribution across the North Adriatic territories. NASCHA indeed integrates and shares knowledge between highly innovative regions and less developed regions in the EU hydrogen value chains, contributing to the European Green Deal, the EU Hydrogen Strategy, and broader decarbonisation goals. “NASCHA contributes to accelerating the energy transition across the North Adriatic”, explains Alberto Soraci, project coordinator. “It aims to strengthen the hydrogen ecosystem by contributing to the European Green Deal. It also reinforces cross-border cooperation and the integration of technologies into key value chains such as transport and urban areas, ensuring long-term impact and enabling the replication of best practices by other regions”. One of the most innovative elements of the initiative is the allocation of dedicated funds for businesses: NASCHA will support at least 20 SMEs through cascade funding (up to EUR 60,000 each) and advanced business acceleration and investor readiness programmes. The project will also develop a set of tools designed to facilitate the adoption of the NASCHA model in other European Hydrogen Valleys, including standardised procedures, know-how for third-party selection, and matchmaking services for investors.   Project partners: Area Science Park (coordinator), META Group, ETRA, Italian Business Angels Network Association, Občina Ajdovščina, STEMwise, META Circularity, CTS H2, Grad CRES, OTRA, RRA PORIN, SIST, ECUBES, Inkubator, PATRIA, University of Zagreb – Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing, Energetika, Institut Jožef Stefan, Mestna Občina Celje, INCOM. Co-financed through the I3 Instrument implemented by EISMEA.  

“Mobility of Knowledge” is the annual survey carried out by Area Science Park which, since 2005, has collected key data on students, researchers and professors belonging to the research institutions that are partners of the SiS FVG. The survey records the number of foreign researchers and students present at partner research institutes, universities and conservatories, the incoming and outgoing mobility flows, gender differences, study interests and countries of origin. According to the 2025 edition, the presence of foreign individuals within the Friuli Venezia Giulia system — which includes enrolled students, researchers and professors of the institutions, as well as incoming mobility — has more than doubled in four years, rising from 4,407 in 2021 to 9,859 in 2024, strengthening the region’s role as an international scientific hub. Students enrolled in regional universities and conservatories totalled 38,071, an increase of about 1,100 compared to the previous year. The number of foreign students also increased, rising from 7% to 8% of the total, amounting to 2,900 students. Incoming mobility includes 902 students, exceeding pre-pandemic levels, while outgoing mobility remains stable (1,062 students). Most enrolled students attend humanities and social sciences programmes (47%), followed closely by life sciences (29%) and technical-scientific disciplines (24%). Female students account for 57% of the total. In 2024, researchers and professors working in SiS FVG institutions numbered 3,813, up from 3,641 the previous year. The proportion of women remains stable at 35%. Incoming presences of foreign lecturers and researchers arriving in the region for a period — even a short one — of study or research at SiS FVG institutions amount to 5,252, showing a very slight decrease (around –180) compared to 2023, while remaining significant. The majority of these professionals (89%) work in the scientific fields of Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, ICT, and Earth and Universe Sciences. Commenting on the results, the Regional Councillor for Labour, Training, Education, Research, University and Family, Alessia Rosolen, highlights how these trends confirm the effectiveness of regional actions supporting human capital: “To support the growth and development of our territory, it is essential to invest in human capital and skills, promoting the mobility of knowledge. Only in this way can we successfully face the major transitions underway. For this reason, the Regional Administration has allocated substantial resources to student support and to the university and research systems of Friuli Venezia Giulia, with an allocation of over 41 million euros for the 2025–2027 period for infrastructure investments and to support the educational and professional paths of young researchers through PhD scholarships, research grants and researcher contracts. These measures will be further strengthened thanks to the recent law on social innovation, with which we aim to enhance PhDs and research contracts in the fields of emerging and knowledge-intensive technologies. The 2025 Report produced by Area Science Park — concluded Rosolen — confirms that we are on the right path and that Friuli Venezia Giulia is becoming increasingly attractive thanks to a high-quality higher education and research system, numerous opportunities for growth and collaboration, and high levels of well-being.”   Access the interactive dashboard and download the data ➡️https://www.sisfvg.it/it/dashboard-mobilita-della-conoscenza/