Research infrastructures

Area Science Park welcomed to its Basovizza Campus an international delegation of 39 students and 3 professors from Leiden University, in the Netherlands. The group is part of the Leidse Biologen Club, the student association bringing together students enrolled in Bachelor’s degree programmes in Biology and Bioinformatics, and the Master’s programmes in Biology. The visit to Trieste is part of an annual study trip that this year also includes the cities of Vienna and Graz. The aim of the club is to allow future biologists to explore new professional opportunities and discover how academic research translates into industrial applications and practical solutions. The students were particularly impressed by the variety of projects developed within the science park, thanks to the presence of multiple companies and laboratories concentrated in one location. Presentations on the activities of Area Science Park, CNR-IOM, and the PRP Platform (Pathogen Readiness Platform), were followed by visits to the Microfabrication, Microsensing and Mechanobiology Laboratory (3M), the Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory (LAGE), Alifax Research & Development Srl, and the Italian Liver Foundation. “For many students, this was an opportunity to closely observe laboratories and instruments that are usually found only in major international research centres,” said Federico Boscherini, Director of CNR-IOM. “It was a pleasure to welcome students from different scientific backgrounds to the campus and to see their interest in the technologies and infrastructures available here in Basovizza. The campus’s open infrastructures are designed precisely for this purpose: to share expertise, technologies, and advanced research environments with international scientific and educational communities.” The Leidse Biologen Club’s stay in Trieste concluded with excursions to the Grotta Gigante cave and the Val Rosandra nature reserve.

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.

Applications are now open for the new edition of the Master in Data Management and Curation (MDMC), a one-year advanced programme promoted by Area Science Park and SISSA. The course is designed to train highly qualified professionals in the management, enhancement and curation of scientific data, based on a FAIR-by-design approach. Developed in collaboration between two leading institutions in the national and international scientific landscape, MDMC is open to ITS diploma holders as well as holders of Bachelor’s, Master’s or equivalent degrees. The programme provides both theoretical knowledge and practical skills in data management and curation, with a strong focus on data quality, integrity and documentation throughout the entire data lifecycle. These competencies are essential to ensure a more reliable, transparent and responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, within the broader framework of Open Science and Data Governance practices. The programme runs for approximately 10 months and is entirely delivered in English. It combines intensive in-person teaching in Trieste with a six-month internship at research laboratories and partner organisations, during which participants develop an applied project. The programme is built around the integration of data design, quality, interoperability and the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence, preparing professionals such as Data Stewards, Data Curators, Data Engineers and Research Data Managers – roles that are increasingly in demand across both academic and industrial sectors. Students will have dedicated access to the ORFEO HPC infrastructure at Area Science Park, including a dedicated virtual machine, storage space and computing resources specifically designed to support hands-on training in data management and data-intensive research. Five scholarships funded by Area Science Park, SISSA and OGS are currently available. These cover the tuition fee and provide an additional €3,000 contribution towards living expenses in Trieste during the in-person teaching period (September–December 2026). Subject to the availability of funding through agreements with external organisations – such as the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, research institutions or private companies – additional financial support, scholarships and awards may be made available and will be announced on the MDMC website. Applications must be submitted via the PICA platform by 1:00 pm (CET) on 30 June 2026. Selection will be based on the evaluation of the applicant’s CV and motivation letter; a short online interview may also be required. Full details on the call, admission requirements and course structure are available in the official call.

On 28 February, World Rare Disease Day is celebrated worldwide, drawing attention to a major health and social challenge: today, around 300 million people globally live with a rare disease, and treatments exist for only 5% of these conditions. According to data reported by the European Commission, between 27 and 36 million patients are affected across Europe, including more than 2 million in Italy, and in 70% of cases the disease manifests during childhood. These figures highlight the need for the scientific community to strengthen its commitment to research in order to accelerate and improve the diagnostic phase, open new therapeutic perspectives and support patients along what is often a complex care pathway. This is a particularly sensitive and important research area that requires coordinated efforts and the use of tools capable of connecting highly diverse expertise and, above all, transforming heterogeneous and complex data into knowledge useful for the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases. Area Science Park remains actively engaged in this field. Through regional and national research projects and initiatives, the organisation has long contributed to advancing scientific knowledge in the area of rare diseases. Within the activities linked to the MIRA project, funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Data Engineering Laboratory – LADE is currently developing a virtual assistant based on artificial intelligence technologies to improve the timeliness of diagnosis. Artificial intelligence has the potential to speed up the identification of symptoms associated with rare diseases, suggest to physicians and researchers when further diagnostic tests may be necessary, and ultimately support specialists in formulating a diagnosis. The virtual assistant – currently being tested together with the Friuli Centrale University Health Authority (ASUFC), the project’s lead partner – is being developed by the LADE laboratory in collaboration with Aindo, an innovative company based in the Area Science Park science and technology campus and specialised in the use of synthetic data that ensure both privacy protection and data reliability. More recently, the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) announced a €21 million funding allocation in support of the INGenIO project (Next-Generation Digital Infrastructure for the Study of Rare Diseases: Target Identification Driven by Multi-Omics and AI for Precision Drug Discovery and Delivery), coordinated by Area Science Park. The project aims to develop an integrated, interoperable and distributed infrastructure for the diagnosis of rare diseases, the understanding of their molecular mechanisms and the identification of personalised therapies. By bringing together specialised expertise and advanced instrumentation across the national territory, the project will cover the entire research pipeline, from disease investigation and computational modelling to the synthesis of new candidate drugs. Area Science Park’s commitment in this field builds on the organisation’s consolidated experience in designing and implementing research infrastructures, particularly in the life sciences domain. Examples include PRP@CERIC (Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC Upgrade), an infrastructure dedicated to the study of pathogens, and ORFEO, the data centre that represents the digital core of Area Science Park’s research activities, supporting advanced projects every day in artificial intelligence, materials science, computational biology and genomics.  

The Nextstep program has officially opened its second round of applications, offering 10 fully funded PhD fellowships scheduled to begin in Autumn 2026. These positions represent the first tranche of a total of 18 spots that will be made available between February and March 2026. Program Details Supported by the MSCA COFUND actions of Horizon Europe, the project aims to cultivate a new generation of researchers within a world-class international setting. Research Fields: Physics, materials science, chemistry, biochemistry, and engineering Technological Focus: Utilization of advanced neutron, X-ray, and electron microscopy techniques to address challenges in sustainability and industrial competitiveness Host Institutions: ESRF, ILL, Forschungszentrum Jülich (FZJ), and Area Science Park. In addition to working at one of these leading European research institutions, PhD candidates will benefit from enrollment in a doctoral program at a partner university and a secondment period of at least two months with academic or industrial partners. Regarding the PhD program to be developed at Area Science Park, the focus will be on the advanced study of functional materials using high-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) techniques, including in-situ and operando methodologies. The objective is to analyze the nanostructure of materials down to sub-Angstrom resolution, as well as to study their evolution under realistic operating conditions by applying various stimuli such as temperature, electric fields, and reactive environments (liquids or gases). The selected candidate will be enrolled in the PhD program in Nanotechnology at the University of Trieste and will conduct their research activity full-time at the Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) of Area Science Park in Trieste. How to Apply: Submit your application at https://nextstep-programme.eu/job-offers/. Deadline: March 31, 2026.

The INGenIO project submitted by Area Science Park under the competitive call of the National Programme for Research, Innovation and Competitiveness 2021–2027 of the Ministry of University and Research (MUR) has secured funding of over €21 million. The funding will support the development of an integrated, interoperable and distributed infrastructure for the diagnosis, molecular understanding and identification of personalised therapies for rare diseases—conditions that affect around 30 million people in Europe alone. The project ranked fifth in the merit list, with a score of 96/100. INGenIO (Next-Generation Digital Infrastructure for the Study of Rare Diseases: Target Identification Guided by Multi-Omics & A.I. for Precision Drug Discovery & Delivery) aims to analyse clinical data from patients with rare diseases using Artificial Intelligence techniques designed to enable early diagnosis and identify potential drugs. On the experimental side, the project integrates Area Science Park’s multi-omics and digital technologies with magnetic resonance methods, electron microscopy and advanced preparative techniques available at partner laboratories. By bringing together specialised expertise and equipment across the national territory, the project will cover the entire value chain—from disease study to computational modelling and the synthesis of new drug candidates. INGenIO, coordinated by Area Science Park, builds on the organisation’s experience in designing and implementing research infrastructures focused on life sciences, including the Pathogen Readiness Platform for the CERIC-ERIC Upgrade (PRP@CERIC) for the study of pathogens and the ORFEO data centre. The project relies on a strong partnership including the University of Salerno, the University of Salento, the University of Florence, the CNR – Institute of Materials (IOM), the University of Naples “Federico II”, which brings collaboration with TIGEM, the CERM Magnetic Resonance Centre in Florence, and ENEA in Casaccia. This is complemented by a network of companies—particularly SMEs in Southern Italy—that have already expressed interest in collaborating on the project. The project structure integrates the expertise needed to cover the entire translational research cycle and its links with the industrial system. A distinctive feature of INGenIO, which expands the offering of the European infrastructure CERIC, is the functional integration of specialised laboratories distributed across the country and belonging to two other European research infrastructures, INSTRUCT and METROFOOD. In this way, a portfolio of instruments and expertise unique in Europe is oriented towards achieving a shared scientific objective—ambitious and with a high impact on health and society. “INGenIO’s 100% funding and its high ranking in the national list represent an important achievement for the organisation, which in recent years has focused its activities and investments on developing research infrastructures open to both the scientific community and industry,” said Area Science Park President Prof. Caterina Petrillo. “In particular, the project is an important booster to strengthen and relaunch the development strategies of the Area Sud site in Salerno, where, together with the university, we work on multi-omics characterisation in close synergy with our laboratories in Trieste”.

Creating a meeting place between different disciplines, where students and researchers can acquire new tools and skills to address scientific questions at the interface between physics and biology. This was the aim of the first biophysics school in Guatemala, that was held at the University of the Valley from November 26th to December 5th, promoted by ICTP – International Centre for Theoretical Physics with the participation of Area Science Park. Francesca Cuturello, a researcher at the Data Engineering Laboratory (LADE) at Area Science Park, took part in the initiative with the course “Machine Learning for Structural Biology.” In her presentation, Cuturello illustrated how statistical artificial intelligence models can be used to understand the structure and function of biomolecules. Edith Natalia Villegas Garcia, a PhD student in the Area, was also among the organizers and teaching assistant for the Machine Learning course. The school represents an important step toward building an international biophysics network, with the aim of promoting biophysics research and creating lasting links between Guatemalan universities and the international scientific community.