Research infrastructures

Area Science Park has been granted €2 million to boost research in omics sciences — the study of interactions between genes, proteins and metabolites — aimed at gaining a more detailed understanding of the mechanisms underlying diseases. These resources have been allocated by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) to the National Research Institute with headquarters in Trieste and will strengthen the laboratory hosted on the campus of the University of Salerno, an institution with which Area Science Park maintains a well-established and long-standing collaboration. Minister Anna Maria Bernini has signed the decree distributing the new annual allocation of the Fund for construction and research infrastructures. For 2025, the Fund has a total budget of €94 million. The omics sciences laboratory in Salerno will operate in an integrated manner with Area Science Park’s life sciences research infrastructure (genomics, structural biology and data science), which represents a node within the national and international network of the Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium (CERIC) and functions on an open access basis. The project has an overall value of €3.5 million, of which €2 million is the 2025 funding provided by MUR. “Our Research Institutes are jewels, a source of pride for Italy and an international scientific reference”, explains Minister Anna Maria Bernini. “It is our responsibility to ensure that these centres of excellence can grow and continue on their path. It is necessary to guarantee resources for new projects, finance increasingly complex infrastructures and support the most advanced technologies”, adds the Minister. “The new €94 million funding from the Fund for construction and the modernisation of the research infrastructure moves in this direction. It enables scientific institutions to boost their study activities and open new research frontiers capable of generating concrete and positive impacts for improving quality of life. We want to give continuity to an already excellent effort, a flagship of our country. We believe in it. And results come from believing”. “The MUR funding is highly significant in the development strategy of the Institute’s activities as it allows us to upgrade the southern laboratory, thereby laying the foundations for the construction a new Institute of Integrated Omics Sciences”, says Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. “The idea is that, through collaboration with the University of Salerno and other important scientific institutions, the Institute can become a thematic reference point for the South and a magnet for young researchers”. The €94 million from the Fund for construction and research infrastructures have been allocated taking into account requests and projects formulated by each institute for building works and modernisation of scientific infrastructures. For each institute, the resources allocated will be monitored while keeping in mind the timetable of activities to be carried out based on the funding granted.

Advanced, hands-on training for the next generation of data professionals, delivered in the heart of Trieste’s renowned scientific ecosystem.   In today’s data-driven world, the ability to manage, curate, and leverage data effectively is paramount. Both scientific research and industry increasingly demand professionals skilled in making data Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR). Furthermore, in today’s AI-driven landscape, mastering data management is absolutely critical to safeguarding the integrity and security of the algorithms we increasingly rely on. The one-year professional course “Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC)”, a unique joint initiative by Area Science Park and SISSA, is designed to equip you with the advanced, practical skills needed to excel in this critical field. Why Choosing  MDMC? Prestigious partnership: Learn from two leading institutions: Area Science Park, a national public research organisation, which has always been a link between research, innovation and industry, and SISSA, one of the six Italian school of excellence, which is a scientific center of advanced research in mathematics, physics and neuroscience within the national and international academic scene. Both share the scientific objective of doing frontier research in the field of Artificial Intelligence. This unique collaboration offers an unparalleled learning environment. Specialized FAIR & Open Science focus: Gain in-depth expertise in FAIR principles and Open Science methodologies, skills highly sought after by research institutions and funding bodies across Europe. Unique hands-on approach: Go beyond theory with our innovative “FAIR-by-design” methodology. Apply your learning during a six months extensive practical internship within real, cutting-edge research laboratories and companies. Targeted career outcomes: Prepare for in-demand roles like Data Steward, Data Curator, Data Engineer and Research Data Manager, equipped with the practical experience needed in academia, research infrastructures and private data-intensive organizations. Duration and Modality The MDMC is a full-time 10 months program, which consists of 1500 hours of training activities, corresponding to 60 ECTS credits. Total Duration: 10 months, from September 15, 2025 to June 30, 2026 Teaching Language: English Teaching Mode: In-person, with some remote sessions during the internship period Location of in-presence lectures: Trieste – Area Science Park & SISSA Admission Requirements (Academic Year 2025-2026) Admission to the Master in Data Management and Curation – MDMC – for the Academic Year 2025-2026 requires candidates to hold a Bachelor’s degree (Laurea Triennale) or a Master’s degree (Laurea Magistrale/Specialistica), or an equivalent university degree (e.g., pre-reform Italian Diploma di Laurea). In addition to the degree qualification, candidates must meet the following minimum requirements by the start date of the lessons to effectively follow the program: English language: a good proficiency in English is required (CEFR B2 level or higher), as all lectures and teaching activities will be conducted exclusively in English. Python programming: basic Python programming skills are required, as detailed in the Annex 1. Mathematical skills: minimum mathematical knowledge equivalent to that acquired through university-level Calculus 1 and 2 courses (or equivalent). Statistical skills: basic knowledge of statistics, including elements of probability theory, hypothesis testing techniques, understanding of Bayes’ theorem, and statistical model comparison. Technical equipment: availability and ability to use a personal computer equipped with a functioning Linux operating environment. Applications for the Academic Year 2025-2026 must be completed and submitted exclusively through the dedicated online platform, accessible at the following link: https://pica.cineca.it/sissa/sissa-ilas-mdmc-2025/ The application will be open from april 29th to june 10th. The online procedure requires uploading the following mandatory documents: Letter of motivation: a document outlining the candidate’s reasons for interest in the MDMC Master and their professional goals (150 – 1500 characters). Identity Document: a copy (front and back) of a valid identity document (ID card or passport). Curriculum Vitae: an updated CV detailing the candidate’s educational background and any professional experience.   Ready to Shape the Future of Data? << Apply now!>>   For all information on the program and course content, application procedure, selection, financial aid and fees: download the Course Presentation, the Scientific Program, or download the official Call. For further information you can visit the page on the SISSA website, or contact us sending an email to MDMC   The course is part of the NFFA-DI project, which has received financial support from Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), Mission 4 “Education and Research” – Component 2 “From Research to Business” – Investment Line 3.1 “Fund for the implementation of an integrated system of research and innovation infrastructures”, funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU.

On World Water Day, we discuss how research and technological innovation contribute to reducing waste and making water networks more efficient.

Nextstep open 18 PhD posts in March 2025 for PhD projects starting in autumn 2025. All the information are available on ESRF recruitment portal (https://www.esrf.fr/Jobs) and the deadline for application is 02 May 2025. The first 18 PhD projects will be located at ESRF – The European Synchrotron Radiation Facility,  ILL- The Institut Laue-Langevin in France and at FZJ – Institutes of Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany. PhD projects will cover a wide range of disciplines including physics, materials science, chemistry, biochemistry and engineering. The successful candidates will study a hot topic related to sustainable development or industrial competitiveness and they will learn to use some of the most advanced and exciting analytical techniques available at their host research infrastructure facility. There will also be a second cohort of 18 PhD posts to be advertised from February 2026. Nextstep is a Horizon Europe supported MSCA cofund doctoral programme. This programme expects the candidate to change country to take up employment at the PhD project host institute. See the Nextstep website FAQ (https://nextstep-programme.eu/frequently-asked-questions/) for more details on the Marie Sklodowska-Curie mobility rule. Area Science Park participates in Nexstep as a hosting infrastructure for PhD students along with ESRF (Nexstep coordinator), ILL (France), FZJ (Germany), and NTNU (Norway). TO DISCOVER THE 18 CALLS AND GET MORE DETAILS, CLICK HERE

An international study, involving the Italian National Research Council (CNR – Istituto Officina dei Materiali) and the Universities of Trieste and Milano-Bicocca for Italy, along with the University of Vienna, has unveiled a simple and innovative method for creating a new category of materials. These materials combine the exceptional properties manifested by individual metal atoms with the robustness, flexibility and versatility of graphene, for potential applications in the fields of catalysis, spintronics and electronic devices. The study is published in Science Advances: the method involves depositing metal atoms, such as cobalt, in a controlled manner, during the formation of the graphene layer on a nickel surface. Some of these atoms are incorporated into the carbon network of graphene, forming a new material with exceptional robustness, reactivity and stability. The method was developed at the CNR-IOM laboratories in Trieste: “This is still a preliminary result, but it is already very promising and the result of an original idea that arose in our laboratory and initially seemed unfeasible,” says Cristina Africh, a researcher at the CNR-IOM who led the team. The material’s ability to detach from the substrate while maintaining its original structure makes it potentially usable in various applications. “The methodology has been tested for trapping nickel and cobalt atoms, but our calculations suggest that it could be extended to other metals for different applications,” explains Cristiana Di Valentin, professor of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Milano-Bicocca. Moreover, the material has proven to be stable even under critical conditions. “We have demonstrated that this material remains intact even in critical conditions, including the electrochemical environments used for applications in fuel cells and batteries,” adds Jani Kotakoski of the University of Vienna. The study, which is the result of international collaboration, made use of different and complementary skills. “This aspect was decisive in demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach, which is simple and powerful at the same time,” concludes Giovanni Comelli from the University of Trieste.

An international forum dedicated to the value and role of large research infrastructures in scientific progress and their economic, social and geopolitical impacts on a global scale. These were the central themes of the G7 conference “Large Research Infrastructures: Synergies and Impact on Science and Society”, organized by the Ministry of University and Research in collaboration with the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN) under the Italian G7 Presidency, and held in Sardinia from October 28th to 30th in Su Gologone (Nuoro). The rich three-day program featured four thematic sessions, dedicated to exploring the key role of large research infrastructures in generating knowledge and value for society, promoting the sharing of ideas and best practices among policymakers, researchers, and socio-economic stakeholders. The opening remarks were delivered by the Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, and the President of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia, Alessandra Todde. Among the nationally and internationally prominent speakers was also the President of Area Science Park, Caterina Petrillo, who contributed to the roundtable The Socio-Economic Benefits of Large Research Infrastructures. Here, speakers discussed the role of large infrastructures: not only centers for scientific knowledge production and high-quality FAIR data, but also true catalysts of innovative processes, which include training new generations of scientists, transferring technology to industry, and fostering regional development. During her speech, the President highlighted the importance of integrating these infrastructures into innovative ecosystems, scientific, and technological hubs, both public and private, where collaboration and shared projects can thrive. The objective of the G7 Conference on Large Research Infrastructures: Synergies and Impact on Science and Society is to stimulate dialogue to facilitate collaboration among the G7 countries, in order to optimize resources and maximize the complementarity of these large infrastructures, aiming toward a future of shared and sustainable innovation.  

The goal of the “Phenotypic Fingerprinting School,” inaugurated on October 14 at Area Science Park, is to explore the complex metabolic pathways involved in cellular responses to infections and drugs through the use of complementary and integrable approaches and techniques. Organized in collaboration with Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, ICGEB and CNR-IOM, the school is part of the “Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC Upgrade” (PRP@CERIC) project. This project aims to develop a highly specialized research infrastructure, unique in Europe, integrating tools and expertise in biology, biochemistry, physics, bio-electronics, virology, genomics, bioinformatics, and data science to study human, animal and plant pathogens and respond quickly to new potential outbreaks. For four weeks, participants will engage in both theoretical and practical sessions, studying host-pathogen interactions from a multidisciplinary perspective. The program includes contributions from researchers of different PRP@CERIC partner institutions, as well as open lectures by internationally renowned experts, including Professor Piero Carninci, who will hold a seminar titled “My Travel from Genomic Technologies to Biology” on October 17 at Area Science Park. The project “Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC Upgrade”– PRP@CERIC is funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) under Mission 4 “Education and Research,” Component 2 “From Research to Entreprise,” 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.

A theoretical and practical training opportunity that, through the use of complementary and integrable approaches and techniques, allows the discovery of fingerprints of cellular metabolic pathways disrupted by infections and drug response. This opportunity is offered by the training school in “Phenotypic Fingerprinting” promoted by Area Science Park in collaboration with Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, the International Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology – ICGEB and the National Research Council – CNR, as part of the activities of the “Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC Upgrade” – PRP@CERIC*. The course will be held in English and will take place in Trieste at the laboratories of Area Science Park, Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, ICGEB and the CNR – Istituto Officina dei Materiali. It is structured in two sessions for a total of about 150 hours. Several topics are covered: from cellular models of host-pathogen interaction to RNA sequencing, from micro- and nano-processing for biology to chemical cytology, data analysis, integration and management. The “Phenotypic Fingerprinting School” training course was created to strengthen the skills of researchers and technologists employed within the PRP@CERIC project, but it also includes the participation of an external quota of STEM graduates interested in developing their skills in the study of phenotypic fingerprinting. Area Science Park is inviting expressions of interest for two positions. The call is open until July 26, 2024. The requirements for applying are: 1) master’s or specialist degree or old-school degree in STEM subjects; 2) knowledge of the English language; 3) possession of civil and political rights in the State of nationality or origin. For each participant in the training programme, a reimbursement will be provided for lunches during the lesson days (which can be used in the Area Science Park canteens on the Basovizza and Padriciano campuses), while, exclusively for students coming from outside Trieste, a reimbursement will also be provided for the overnight stay and other meals. — *The project “Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC Upgrade” – PRP@CERIC is financed under the PNRR (National Recovery and Resilience Plan) under Mission 4 “Education and Research”, Component 2 “From Research to Enterprise”, 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.

Regenerative Symphony, the installation created following the artist residency in Area Science Park, was presented during the fifth edition of the New Atlas of Digital Arts, an international event that took place from 20 to 21 June at the MEET Digital Culture Center in Milan, and which aims at promoting and investigating digital creativity scenarios, highlighting the potential of immersive creative experiments as possible drivers of cultural, social and economic innovation. During the event, part of the S+T+ARTS in the City project, in addition to the presentation of the work, a series of European institutions and actors participated, offering an overview of the state-of-the-art and technological developments related to immersive experiences. With Regenerative Symphony, the German artist Daria Jelonek, and the Englishman Perry-James Sugden, of Studio Above&Below created an interactive audiovisual installation generated by an artificial intelligence model that uses self-analysis, mineral monitoring, and market analysis of the northern region of Italy as input data to recognise, decide on, and predict the output of an immersive modular installation. The work was created thanks to the direct involvement of Area Science Park researchers who collaborated with the artists during the weeks of residency, providing them with inspiration, materials and resources starting from their own research. In particular, the teams from the LAME Laboratory were involved; they illustrated their research results in the field of innovative materials and nanotechnologies; Francesca Cuturello and Tommaso Rodani from the LADE Data Engineering Laboratory were also involved, and along with them, the artists actually elaborated the mathematical model underlying the immersive work. Furthermore, during the weeks of residency in Area Science Park, the artists drew inspiration from a visit to the Elettra Sincrotrone laboratories, where they heard from the researchers about the Institution’s most challenging research projects in the materials sector. “Regenerative Symphony is a work of art that explores a future (2030-2050) in which critical minerals, rare elements essential for modern technologies, are recycled instead of extracted – explain the authors – This scenario challenges current difficulties in the recycling of these minerals. The installation uses a model of artificial intelligence that works with data from synthetic and natural materials to visualize this regenerative future. The work of art manifests itself as a generative projection, which reveals the beauty of reuse through the metaphor of sound symphonies. Visitors can interact with the installation, adjusting the view through predictive data of material resources on an iPad.” The public can, in fact, interact with the work by creating new objects, starting with the recycling of others and thanks to sustainable energy sources. The AI ​​model reacts to requests, identifying various solutions, including recycling critical materials from unused e-waste or making alternative design decisions. During computation, the digital experience in the space is rearranged, leading to a new and different immersive environment. Confirming how our every gesture can have a concrete impact on the health of our Planet.