Press releases

The 18th edition of the Multinational Congress on Microscopy (18MCM), one of the leading international events dedicated to microscopy and its most advanced applications, will be held in Trieste from 12 to 17 September 2027. The city was selected as the host venue following a bid submitted by the Italian Society for Microscopical Sciences (SISM), in collaboration with Area Science Park, and particularly its Electron Microscopy Laboratory, which draws on a well-established wealth of expertise, cutting-edge instrumentation and international partnerships. The congress is expected to bring more than 400 participants to Trieste, including researchers and early-career scientists from across Europe. This is comparable to the attendance recorded at the previous edition, held in Portorož (Slovenia) in September 2025. “Hosting the 18th edition of the Multinational Congress on Microscopy in Trieste is an important recognition of the scientific community in our region and further confirms the city’s role as an international research hub, built on an ecosystem of excellence and strong partnerships,” said Prof. Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. She added: “For the institution I lead, the congress is further confirmation of the excellence of the path undertaken in recent years, which has involved significant investments in infrastructures and expertise dedicated to materials science and advanced electron microscopy. This commitment has also been recognised at European level, as demonstrated by the recent success of the Microscopy Europe project, which successfully passed the European evaluation thresholds and was included in the ESFRI Roadmap 2026. Microscopy Europe will be the first European distributed infrastructure dedicated to advanced electron microscopy for the characterisation of materials at the atomic scale. Area Science Park contributed to its design and will continue to contribute to the development of its scientific programme over the next ten years.” The Multinational Congress on Microscopy is an internationally significant platform for scientific, technological and educational exchange. “The 18th edition of the Multinational Congress on Microscopy will provide an important opportunity to bring the international microscopy community together in Trieste and to discuss the latest scientific and technological developments in the field,” emphasises Regina Ciancio, Head of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory at Area Science Park and Chair of the Congress. “The programme will span from materials science to life sciences, with a particular focus on the new frontiers of advanced microscopy, instrumentation and emerging methodologies. Significant attention will also be devoted to early-career researchers, training, and dialogue among research organisations, scientific infrastructures and industry.” For further information on 18MCM, visit the 18MCM website.

More than ten million cells analysed in less than two hours, with memory requirements approximately three times lower than those of the best existing tools and processing speeds up to forty times faster on the largest datasets. This remarkable achievement was made possible by a team of researchers from the University of Trieste, Area Science Park, SISSA and Human Technopole, who developed DEVIL (Differential Expression with Variational Inference Learning), a new high-performance computational tool. The study has been published in Nature Communications. Understanding which genes are active within cells is fundamental to advancing our knowledge of disease and developing new therapeutic approaches. Today’s most advanced technologies enable researchers to measure gene activity in millions of cells from dozens or even hundreds of patients, generating unprecedented volumes of data for biomedical research. However, this revolution also brings with it two major challenges: on the one hand, the risk of errors in data interpretation, and on the other, the difficulty of analysing such large volumes of information. The first challenge is computational. Analysing millions of cells requires enormous computing power. Traditional methods are too slow and consume excessive memory when handling datasets of this scale, creating a bottleneck that risks undermining the advantages offered by modern data collection technologies. The second challenge is statistical. Cells collected from the same patient tend to resemble each other more closely than cells from different patients, as they share the same biological background, environment and individual characteristics. Ignoring this aspect—as many currently available tools do—can lead to biased statistical conclusions, with the risk of identifying cellular changes as “significant” when they are not, or conversely failing to detect genuine ones. To address both issues, the researchers developed DEVIL, successfully combining statistical rigour with computational speed in an innovative way. From a computational perspective, DEVIL, which was also developed with support from the AIRC Foundation, has been specifically designed to efficiently exploit the latest parallel computing architectures commonly used in artificial intelligence. Moreover, DEVIL is not only faster but also significantly more memory-efficient. This is a crucial advantage, as analyses previously restricted to major computing centres can now be carried out by smaller research laboratories and infrastructures. From a statistical perspective, DEVIL tackles the problem through a Bayesian approach that correctly accounts for the structure of the data, treating cells from the same patient as correlated observations and thereby distinguishing differences between patients from genuine differences in cellular activity. “This work would not have been possible without ORFEO, Area Science Park’s high-performance computing and data centre, recently upgraded through funding from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR),” said Stefano Cozzini, Director of the Institute for Research and Technological Innovation at Area Science Park. “The availability of state-of-the-art GPUs, offering exceptional computing performance, together with the optimisation of algorithms carried out by our team for this architecture, has enabled DEVIL to tackle problems on a significantly larger scale than previously possible. This achievement is the result of a highly skilled multidisciplinary team that has been able to fully leverage the capabilities of the infrastructure and technologies available”. ”Differential expression analysis, —that is, the statistical method used to identify which genes are significantly more or less active across different biological conditions—is a mature technology,” explained Giulio Caravagna of the University of Trieste. “However, the transition to single-cell data has introduced statistical and computational challenges that make the integrated analysis of large patient cohorts particularly difficult. Our work was conceived specifically to overcome this bottleneck, combining methodological innovation with high-performance computing to enable the analysis of millions of cells from hundreds of patients”. “In the development of DEVIL, the synergy between classical and Bayesian statistical methods represents a distinctive strength within the oncology literature,” added Leonardo Egidi of the University of Trieste. “It makes DEVIL both a highly efficient computational protocol and a methodologically robust one. Future developments may involve spatio-temporal models for multiple patients and further computational approximations based on theoretical properties that are currently under investigation—a fascinating combination of statistical, computational and biological expertise”. DEVIL was validated on two real-world biological case studies. In the first, focused on the identification of immune cell populations, the tool demonstrated greater accuracy and specificity in detecting biologically relevant functions. In the second, which investigated the ageing of human muscle tissue, DEVIL identified age-related transcriptional changes in a more robust and biologically meaningful manner, reducing noise and highlighting key processes for downstream analyses. Released as free and open-source software, DEVIL is now available to laboratories and hospitals worldwide, paving the way for a new generation of large-scale genomic analyses to support cancer research, the study of degenerative diseases and the advancement of personalised medicine.  

Under the claim “Shaping Data, Shaping the Future!”, the graduation event for the second edition of the Master’s in Data Management and Curation (MDMC) has concluded. The final thesis defenses covered topics ranging from FAIR data pipelines for neuroscience and genetic sequencing to data extraction tools for protein crystallization, the application of advanced technologies like GraphRAG for manufacturing data, and repositories for X-ray absorption spectroscopy. A highlight of the event was the Keynote Lecture by Massimiliano Novelli, Senior Data Curation Scientist at the European Spallation Source ERIC, who provided an overview of global challenges and best practices in managing international-level data infrastructures. The Master’s in Data Management and Curation is a one-year advanced training course promoted by Area Science Park and SISSA. It is dedicated to training highly qualified professionals in the management, enhancement, and curation of scientific data using a FAIR-by-design approach. With the second edition wrapped up, attention now turns to the upcoming edition of the Master’s program, with applications open until 1:00 PM on June 30, 2026. The program lasts approximately 10 months and is taught entirely in English. It combines intensive face-to-face lectures in Trieste with a six-month internship at research laboratories and partner institutions, during which participants develop an applied project work. Students will gain privileged access to Area Science Park’s ORFEO HPC infrastructure. This includes a dedicated virtual machine, storage space, and computing resources designed to support hands-on training activities in data management and data-intensive research. Five scholarships offered by Area, SISSA, and OGS are available. These cover the enrollment fee and provide an additional €3,000 allowance to cover living expenses in Trieste during the in-person lecture period (September–December 2026). Depending on financial availability resulting from agreements/conventions with external organizations—such as the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region, other research institutions, or private companies—further financial aid, scholarships, and prizes may become available. Full details, the admission call, entry requirements, and the course structure are available on the MDMC webpage.

Transforming innovative ideas in the field of hydrogen into concrete, financeable and scalable projects: this was the key challenge at the heart of the HE Access to Finance event, hosted at the Zagreb Innovation Centre (ZICER). The meeting brought together companies, innovators, policymakers and financial sector experts, providing an important platform for dialogue on the prospects of the European energy transition. Taking center stage was the North Adriatic Hydrogen Ecosystem, an integrated system involving Croatia, Slovenia and Friuli Venezia Giulia, with Area Science Park as a partner. It is a model of transnational cooperation designed to strengthen the hydrogen value chain and accelerate its industrial-scale deployment, structured around three complementary initiatives: NAHV, NACHIP and NASCHA. NAHV, the EU’s first transnational hydrogen valley, aims to develop a complete value chain; NACHIP serves as a platform for technological maturation and for connecting companies with industrial partners; NASCHA, finally, acts as an accelerator, supporting SMEs in building the capacity to attract investors through pilot projects. Renewable hydrogen is confirmed as a key energy carrier for the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors, long-term energy storage, sustainable mobility and the integration of different energy systems. A representative of the European Commission (DG REGIO) also illustrated the role of the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument, highlighting its potential in supporting SME growth and market access. Particular attention was given to the upcoming NACHIP Open Call, scheduled for September 2026, which will offer companies the opportunity to test, validate and integrate their solutions in real pilot environments. Identified opportunities include the development of renewable energy, industrial decarbonisation, innovation in mobility and the construction of integrated hydrogen value chains. However, several critical issues remain: high costs, regulatory complexity, infrastructural limitations, challenges related to storage, and still insufficient investor involvement. Hence the shared call to strengthen coordination among stakeholders, simplify the regulatory framework and decisively support the technology scaling phase. “By the end of the year,” says Fabrizia Salvi, technologist at Area Science Park, “NASCHA will launch its own cascade funding calls to help fill the remaining gaps along the hydrogen value chain within pilot projects, supporting innovative solutions and strengthening cross-border cooperation in the North Adriatic region. In this context, Area Science Park is actively contributing to the development of a dynamic hydrogen ecosystem through various initiatives, encouraging the adoption of innovative, market-ready technologies and collaboration among the various local stakeholders.” The day concluded with a visit to Patria Composite in Samobor, where participants were able to observe concrete hydrogen storage applications and their role in future energy systems. The HE Access to Finance event cycle will continue in the coming months with stops in Cres (26 May), Sežana and Trieste (in autumn), and Nova Gorica and Gorizia (10–12 November 2026), as part of the broader HE Conference North Adriatic. The sixth edition of the conference, dedicated to the theme “Hydrogen for EU Sovereignty”, will take place on 11 and 12 November 2026 between Nova Gorica and Gorizia.  

The ambitious project Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC Upgrade – PRP@CERIC has been successfully completed, achieving all its objectives within the strict European timelines and leaving a lasting legacy for the CERIC-ERIC research infrastructure. The project significantly broadens its mission as a centre of excellence for the study of emerging pathogens. The project, worth €41 million, was coordinated by Area Science Park and developed in collaboration with CNR, the University of Naples Federico II, the University of Salerno and the University of Salento. It has created a geographically distributed and integrated ecosystem providing academic and industrial researchers with cutting-edge tools to address challenges posed by human, animal and plant pathogens. Seven key areas of scientific excellence define the new research infrastructure: Pathogen Research, Structural Biology, Advanced Microspectroscopy, Mechanobiology, Multi-omics, Artificial Intelligence and Simulations, and Bioelectronics. This interdisciplinary approach enables the study of pathogens under the most physiologically relevant conditions, from basic research to the development of new drugs and diagnostic systems. Among the most significant outcomes are the upgrading of BSL3 laboratories within the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) for the safe analysis and study of infectious agents, the implementation of innovative automated screening systems, the acquisition of a state-of-the-art cryo-electron microscope, and the strengthening of high-performance computing infrastructures for artificial intelligence applied to computational biology. The project also led to the recruitment of 32 new researchers and technologists, further consolidating Trieste’s position as an international hub for life sciences. “PRP@CERIC has represented a key milestone for Area Science Park in strengthening the organisation’s development strategy in the field of research infrastructures, based on the integration of skills and the systematisation of existing scientific and technological capabilities. The award of the project within the framework of the MUR PNRR funding marked a decisive step in this direction,” said President Caterina Petrillo. “Three years after the launch of the project, this experience has helped redefine the organisation’s mission, now focused on the development of research and technological infrastructures as enabling tools for advanced research and for supporting deep-tech innovation stemming from high-risk research. The medium-term sustainability of PRP@CERIC will be ensured through funding obtained via competitive calls, such as the INGenIO project on rare diseases, and through services offered to industry.” “The research infrastructure also makes a significant contribution to pandemic preparedness and to advancing research in combating antimicrobial resistance, acting as a bridge between biomedical sciences and physical and biophysical disciplines, thus fostering an interdisciplinary approach capable of generating new investigative methods and innovative scientific results,” explained Federica Mantovani, PRP Infrastructure Manager at Area Science Park. “Furthermore, the integration of advanced instrumentation, emerging technologies and artificial intelligence-based approaches enhances our ability to observe, model and interpret complex biological phenomena.” The project has strengthened the strategic role of CERIC-ERIC within the European research infrastructure landscape. The geographically distributed platform represents an innovative model of scientific collaboration, where the complementary expertise of different partners is integrated to deliver a unique service. The multidisciplinary approach adopted enables the challenges of pathogen research to be addressed from a holistic perspective, from molecular characterisation to clinical applications. Designed in accordance with FAIR data principles, the infrastructure will ensure access for the scientific community through CERIC-ERIC and will also provide services to the industrial sector.