From our campuses

Two new quantum physics laboratories have been inaugurated at the University of Trieste: the ArQuS (Artificial Quantum Systems) laboratory, where artificial quantum systems will be studied through the control of single atoms, and the QCI (Quantum Communication and Information) laboratory where research on and technological development of new solutions for quantum communications on optical fiber and in free space will be developed. The laboratories are located in the CNR spaces within the Area Science Park, Basovizza Campus, and are directed by Francesco Scazza, associate professor in Physics of Matter at the University of Trieste’s Physics department, and by Alessandro Zavatta, senior research scientist of the National Institute of Optics at the National Research Council (INO-CNR). Laboratories devoted to frontier research are thus enriching the new master’s degree curriculum in Quantum Sciences and Technologies, the curriculum in Physics of Matter and the three-year Degree course in Physics. The University of Trieste boasts a well-respected tradition in the field of quantum mechanics, supported by interactive and collaborative efforts with important international research bodies. The Friuli Venezia Giulia region, and in particular Trieste with its university, is a leader in the field of quantum communications thanks to the “Quantum FVG” and “QuFree” projects financed by the Region and coordinated by the University of Trieste. The former aims at developing a regional fiber optic network for secure data transmission via quantum technology, with the QCI laboratory joined to it. The latter, however, is an ambitious research programme on quantum communication in the air and aims at paving the way for secure connections via satellite. ArQuS Laboratory – Cold atoms for quantum sciences and technologies The ArQuS (Artificial Quantum Systems) laboratory, the only one of its kind in Italy, was set up to create artificial quantum systems through the precise control of individual ytterbium atoms. Via laser beams and magnetic fields, atoms, which are by nature identical to each other and very delicate (to the point that their wave-like quantum nature could be destroyed by any external disturbance) can be slowed down in their movement and thus be thoroughly observed, offering a precious “magnifying glass” for the study of otherwise inaccessible processes and phenomena. This is made possible by a cutting-edge experimental apparatus within which atoms are isolated from the external environment and cooled to a temperature of only one-millionth of a degree above absolute zero, capturing them in real traps based on laser light. Laser radiation, also a wave, if appropriately synchronised with the internal oscillation of the atom, can in fact be used to control particles in an extremely precise manner without destroying their quantum nature, but on the contrary, harnessing it for new technological applications. QCI Laboratory – Quantum networks for maximum security of information systems The QCI laboratory was created to serve the research on and technological development of new solutions for quantum communications on optical fiber with the added purpose of training physics and engineering students at the University of Trieste and collaborating with the major research and training institutions in the field. The field of quantum information, a new subject born from the intermingling of computer science and quantum mechanics, is in fact a promising area that has made important progress in recent years. Thanks to the equipment present in the laboratory, which makes it possible to generate quantum cryptographic keys and experiment with ultra-secure communications, the researchers aim at laying the foundations for creating real quantum networks for the manipulation and transmission of data capable of guaranteeing maximum security. The QCI quantum communication laboratory was funded by the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region through the “Quantum FVG” and “QuFree” projects. The ArQuS laboratory, however, has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) within the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme for research and innovation (Grant Agreement no. 949438) and from the Ministry of Universities and Research within the FARE (FastOrbit project) and PRIN 2022 (CoQuS project) programmes.

After the latest positive experience with the Danish artist Sissel Marie Tonn, Area Science Park repeats the experimentation of artists’ residencies, moments of the physical presence of artists within scientific institutions to give life to contaminations of ideas and quality planning in art and science. Again this year, thanks to the collaboration with MEET Digital Culture Center of Milan, Area hosted Studio Above&Belove, the artist duo, winner of challenge no. 6 of the “S+T+ARTS in the City” call on December 6th and 7th. The challenge launched to artists from all over the world, in fact, asked them to investigate and narrate, through their own language and poetics, one of the most critical passages that the world must face at the moment: green and digital transformation require the use of an imposing amount of resources that the EU has defined as critical raw materials, i.e. a series of raw materials that are difficult to find or that have a high environmental impact when extracting or recycling them. With the Regenerative Symphony project, Daria Jelonek, German, and Perry-James Sugden, English, from Studio Above&Below were the winners of the residency in Area Science Park. Their project is to create an interactive audiovisual installation generated by an artificial intelligence model that uses self-analysis, monitoring of minerals and market analysis of the northern region of Italy as input data, to recognise, decide and predict the output of an immersive modular installation. The public will have the opportunity to interact by creating new objects starting from the recycling of others and thanks to sustainable energy sources. The AI model reacts to requests, identifying different solutions, including recycling critical materials from unused e-waste or alternative design decisions. During computation, the digital experience in space is reorganised, leading to a new immersive environment. “Our Regenerative Symphony project focuses on critical materials, various artificial intelligence systems and e-waste recycling. – explain Daria Jelonek and Perry-James Sugden – We are particularly interested in using a variety of artificial intelligence tools useful for identifying new materials or new ways of recycling electronic waste, an issue that currently represents a major problem. Ours will be an audiovisual installation made up of a computational system and a variety of 3D-generated elements that we will create, with the idea of working on different minerals or critical materials, imagining how they can be reorganised and reused. What will be of key importance is sound, which is why we called the project Regenerative Symphony, creating a special soundscape. The visit to the laboratories of the Area Science Park will help us learn more about innovative materials and the different types of databases that can help us become familiar with innovative materials, thanks to discussions with scientists and researchers”. Area Science Park, as co-host institution of the residency, has the task of inspiring artists through access to resources, open data and technological platforms focused on material, data and life sciences. In the first two days of live residency, Daria Jelonek and Perry-James Sugden visited the laboratories and had discussions with researchers working as part of the Innovative Materials Platform, which includes the Electron Microscopy Laboratory and the Data Engineering Laboratory, and with expert technologists who deal with research and innovation projects in the field of the circular economy and the enhancement of research. The discussion with the artists was then also extended to researchers from other entities in the Area Science Park system, such as Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, where the artists had the opportunity to visit and learn about the main ongoing research on the topics of “critical materials” and their importance for the green and digital transformation we are facing nowadays. The artists will have 9 months to create the work which will be exhibited at Sonar in Barcelona and by Ars Electronica in Linz.

Generative AI startup Aindo, which has developed and patented synthetic data generation technology, announces a €6 million Series A round led by United Ventures, with a participation from existing investor Vertis SGR through the fund Vertis Venture 3 Technology Transfer. This new funding will allow Aindo to grow the team by 10 more employees, and continue developing solutions that facilitate the use of artificial intelligence in strategic sectors such as healthcare, finance, and public administration. Synthetic data is data that is created artificially as opposed to generated by real-world events. It’s manufactured algorithmically and is used as a substitute for testing purposes and to train machine learning (ML) models. Aindo’s team aims not only to consolidate its position as a leader in synthetic data but also to revolutionize the concept of data mobility, understood as the secure exchange of information, with particular attention to privacy protection. United Ventures, a venture capital company focused on investments in high-tech companies, leads the investment round, a testimony to the growing role of synthetic data in promoting secure information exchange. Vertis, which invests in innovative Made in Italy projects, is betting on the strategic dimension of the technology. According to Gartner, synthetic data is among the emerging trends in AI. By 2024, 60% of the data used in AI projects will be synthetically generated compared to only 1% in 2021. A study by Grand View Research forecasts that the global synthetic data market will be valued at €1.79 billion by 2030. The technology is in high demand from sectors ranging from healthcare and finance, to banking, and insurance. Notably, in the healthcare sector, Aindo’s synthetic data generation technology is already widely applied, from improving predictive analysis of pharmacological therapies in rare diseases to optimizing patient care in a hospital setting, to monitoring remote healthcare by anticipating potential risk situations. “We’re thrilled to announce this new funding round, which will fuel our growth at a crucial phase of the company’s development.” says Daniele Panfilo, co-founder and CEO of Aindo. “When we launched Aindo, Generative AI was barely known outside academic environments. In record time, it’s grown into the next billion dollar category in tech, thanks to its mind blowing capabilities that have captivated the world’s imagination. Our goal is to make data-driven innovation increasingly secure and ethically responsible for entire industries. Most organizations possess valuable structured information stored within their databases that cannot be used due to privacy protection. Creating synthetic data with generative AI solves that: the data Aindo regenerates behaves similarly to real data while fully protecting individuals’ privacy.” Giulia Giovannini, partner at United Ventures, comments, ” The AI revolution still faces many obstacles, including data inaccessibility, long processing times, privacy concerns, and ethical issues related to data collection. Synthetic data is an answer to these problems, offering companies a tool of great importance to fully exploit the potential of artificial intelligence while ensuring the necessary privacy in data anagement. We believe that Daniele and his team have the right ambition to scale the platform internationally in the field of synthetic data, and we are excited to contribute to this round, as our very first investment from UV3, United Ventures recently launched fund.” Roberto Della Marina, operating partner of Vertis SGR and managing partner of Venture Factory, adds, “Synthetic data tech is undeniably one of the most promising emerging trends in AI. It’s what we call a horizontal innovation. In the coming years, the demand for synthetic data will be ubiquitous for all sectors relying heavily on data, particularly in healthcare, finance, and insurance. Aindo’s technology has the potential to impact millions of people’s lives.” Aindo was born from the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) in Trieste. Aindo’s Synthetic Data Aindo’s synthetic data is not collected empirically but generated artificially through machine learning models. These models can create artificial data that faithfully reproduces the characteristics and behaviors of real data. The synthetic data generated by Aindo thus maintains the statistical utility of the original data. Being artificial, they are devoid of sensitive information and can be safely exchanged and analyzed. Applications of Synthetic Data Synthetic data enables the application of Artificial Intelligence in high-impact social and business areas, such as healthcare research or developing technologies for financial markets. Healthcare Sector – Synthetic data finds application in training artificial intelligence models necessary for developing prognostic and predictive tools in the healthcare field, aimed at improving diagnostics and treatment of numerous diseases. Patient health data is highly confidential and generally cannot be shared; however, their analysis can lead to new diagnostic and pharmacological knowledge for treating specific pathologies or identifying risk factors. Aindo’s synthetic data aligns with GDPR, allowing the use, mobility, and exchange of synthetic health data. Financial Sector – Synthetic data is critical in developing personalized solutions and services in the financial world. For example, a bank could use synthetic data to build accurate risk prediction models to identify patterns and behaviors typical of companies likely to encounter financial difficulties. Additionally, synthetic data can be successfully employed to improve anti-fraud systems through data augmentation possibilities. Infrastructure and Energy – In the infrastructure and energy sectors, synthetic data is instrumental in data sharing between the public and private sectors. This facilitates the combination of supply and demand in infrastructure and network management optimization. Think of smart cities, smart buildings, and physical infrastructure monitoring such as bridges, viaducts, and road networks to assess wear and tear, traffic management, and structural monitoring. Properly calibrated synthetic data would enable the evaluation of multi-risk scenarios, such as static, seismic, and hydrogeological risks, by simulating different damage or optimal management scenarios.

ICGEB Group Leader, Mouse Molecular Genetics Lab, Dr. Andrés F. Muro and Research Associate, Dr. Giulia Bortolussi have taken part in the European research project CureCN, which aims to develop a curative gene therapy for the ultra-rare Crigler-Najjar syndrome (CN) – a life-threatening liver disease which affects one in a million individuals at birth. The project commenced in 2013 and is led by Généthon, France and sponsored by the European Commission programme H2020. The consortium includes 11 partners from six European countries and has involved the external collaboration of ICGEB which was pivotal in generating pre-clinical data using its Ugt1a KO mouse model, thus setting the basis for the subsequent clinical translation of the trial. The results of the trial were published on 17 August in a joint manuscript in the New England Journal of Medicine, co-authored by Dr. Bortolussi and Dr. Muro. These represent the first clinical demonstration of the efficacy of gene therapy in a metabolic disease of the liver, demonstrating the safety and tolerance for the treatment as well as its efficacy at the highest dose. The trial demonstrated restored long-term expression of the missing enzyme with a large reduction in plasma bilirubin levels in the three adult patients treated with the highest dose. The current part of the study, launched in January 2023, aims to confirm the observed effect in a larger number of patients including children aged 10 years and over, the age at which the liver matures. Should the results be conclusive, this would enable a product license application at the French and European authorities. Dr. Muro states: “We are very proud of our contribution to the trial. The obtained in-patient results represent a fundamental step forward towards the application of gene therapy non only for Crigler-Najjar patients, but also for other liver genetic diseases. This is the first report of a long-term correction of a disease caused by a non-secreted liver protein.”

Research published in the journal Nature Physics presents a new method for greater understanding of quantum materials. Employing an experimental technique using the synchrotron light source, an international team of researchers – including Italian organisations, the IOM Materials Foundry of the National Research Council of Trieste (CNR-IOM), University of Bologna, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and La Statale University of Milan – have succeeded in measuring the “winding” of electrons, a property that determines certain particular characteristics of materials, knowledge which will be essential for their possible use in future advanced applications. The study, conducted at Sincrotrone Elettra in Trieste, also involved academics from the University of Würzburg (Germany), the University of St. Andrews (UK), Boston College (US) and the University of Santa Barbara (US). “The quantum properties of materials determine the behaviour of electrons, including their ‘topological winding’, meaning the curvature of the space in which they move within matter,” explains Ivana Vobornik, a researcher at CNR-IOM in Trieste. “By studying this property, one can identify the quantum properties of a certain material, and this enables greater understanding for applications in various technological fields, from renewable energy to biomedicine, and from electronics to quantum computers.” Specifically, the team focused on a class of materials known as “kagome materials”, named for their close resemblance to woven bamboo threads in traditional Japanese baskets. “These materials are revolutionising quantum physics due to their magnetic, topological and superconducting properties. Understanding these properties is therefore key,” adds the researcher. “To measure the characteristic of electron winding, an experimental technique was employed that relies on a synchrotron light source. In this case, measurements were conducted at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste. Synergy with theoretical analysis and the use of powerful supercomputers was also key: theoretical simulations made it possible to guide the experiments to the specific area of the material in which the properties being studied manifest”. Rome, 12 June 2023 Image caption: Three perspectives of the surface on which electrons move, the Fermi surface. Left, the experimental result; centre and right, theoretical modelling. The colours red and blue represent a measure of electron speed. Both theory and experiment reflect the symmetry of the crystal, present in the Japanese “kagome” weave used to make traditional baskets. Summary Who: IOM Materials Foundry of the National Research Council of Trieste (CNR-IOM), University of Bologna, Ca’ Foscari University of Venice and La Statale University of Milan, University of Würzburg (Germany), University of St. Andrews (UK), Boston College (US) and the University of Santa Barbara (US). What: “Flat band separation and robust spin Berry curvature in bilayer kagome metals”, Nature Physics (2023), DOI 10.1038/s41567-023-02053-z., link: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41567-023-02053-z For information: Flavia Mancini, CNR-IOM, email: mancini@iom.cnr.it, mob.: +39 328 1230247, Giancarlo Panaccione, CNR-IOM, panaccione@iom.cnr.it, mob.: +39 335 5368898, Ivana Vobornik, CNR-Iom: vobornik@iom.cnr.it, mob.: +39 339 3967854 (contact details for professional use not to be published).

“Area Science Park is a hub for global, and above all Italian, knowledge, intelligence and expertise. It represents a concentration of our ability to excel. This area is the nucleus of a growing and ever stronger scientific community. A community that shows us again and again how powerful academic cooperation can be both for Italy’s innovation and as a diplomatic tool with international partners.” These were the words of the Minister for Universities and Research Anna Maria Bernini, during her visit to Area Science Park today, where she was welcomed by the President of the research institute, Prof. Caterina Petrillo, and General Manager Anna Sirica. Others present included the Regional Councillor for Research, Alessia Rosolen; the Mayor of Trieste, Roberto Di Piazza; the Prefect, Pietro Signoriello; and representatives of the scientific and technological institutions of SiS FVG, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Science and Innovation System. The President, Prof. Petrillo illustrated the core activities, strategic priorities and future development prospects of the research body to Minister Bernini, focusing on the investments that Area Science Park is making in the field of research and technological infrastructure. “We are very pleased that the Minister of Universities and Research has accepted our invitation to visit the institution and meet representatives of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region’s Scientific and Innovation System,” commented President Caterina Petrillo after the meeting with the ministerial delegation. “Area Science Park is a national research institution under the aegis of the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), with a unique profile and expertise developed over 45 years in the field of research and innovation serving the country. Today, thanks in part to funding from the MUR National Recovery and Resilience Plan, the institution is taking a further step forward, investing in new state-of-the-art equipment and attracting young talent. In fact, alongside two national partners, we are working on the finalisation of two research structures, one dedicated to the study of pathogens and another to the study of innovative materials.” Later, the Minister had the opportunity to visit some of the most important business and scientific entities at Area Science Park, starting with modefinance, a company with a technological and financial foundation, now part of the TeamSystem group. Modefinance is a native fintech company, founded in 2009 as a University of Trieste spin-off and incubated at Area Science Park, and develops artificial-intelligence and data-science solutions for credit risk assessment and management. Next was the ICGEB (International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology), an intergovernmental organisation with 45 cutting-edge laboratories across three continents. It forms an interactive network of 68 member states, with operations aligned with those of the United Nations System. It plays a key role in biotechnology by promoting research excellence, training and technology transfer to industry, making a tangible contribution to global sustainable development. At ICGEB, welcomed by centre Director-General Lawrence Banks, the Minister visited the Tumour Virology, Bacteriology, and Functional Cell Biology laboratories. In the afternoon, the ministerial delegation moved to the Basovizza campus, where Minister Bernini visited Area Science Park’s Laboratory of Genomics and Epigenomics (LAGE), a leading national centre in the field of genomics and epigenomics and a key element of the Life Sciences Platform, an open research structure providing expertise and services aimed at experimental testing, and applied and industrial research projects, and which will be further enhanced thanks to MUR National Recovery and Resilience Plan funds. The next stop was the R&D laboratories of Alifax, one of the most important Italian companies specialising in the development, production and distribution of clinical diagnostic tools for laboratory automation, with a strong focus on scientific research and technological innovation supported by a constant programme of investments. Before leaving Area Science Park, the Minister visited Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste,the third-generation Italian synchrotron radiation facility serving the national and international scientific and industrial community. Alongside Elettra, since 2010 there has been Free Electron Laser FERMI, one of the few laser facilities of this type operational in the world, capable of ultrashort, microscopic observations at the atomic and molecular level. The Minister’s busy day ended with a visit to the icebreaker ship “Laura Bassi” of the OGS – National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics.

PICOSATS today announced the signing of a contract with the space logistics transportation company D-Orbit for the In-Orbit Demonstration of the RADIOSAT Ka-band transponder and the BEAMSAT K/Ka band horn antenna aboard the ION Satellite Carrier. ION Satellite Carrier is a multipurpose vehicle capable of performing satellite transport, payload hosting and advanced edge computing services in orbit in a single mission. The mission is scheduled for October 2023 and the target orbit is SSO, at an altitude of 500 – 600 km. “This opportunity will enable PICOSATS to reach flight heritage and enter the SATCOM equipment market with flight proven products” said Arianna Cagliari, VP Business Development. Founded in 2014 as a spin-off of the University of Trieste, PICOSATS is a company committed to the research, development, and commercialization of cutting-edge telecommunications systems for the small satellite market and beyond. The increasing use of small satellites in low orbits for satellite communications and the spectrum congestion has demanded the development of high-frequency, miniaturized telecommunications systems, and PICOSATS has seized the opportunity to enter this rapidly expanding market. PICOSATS is currently testing in an operational environment two transponders designed for CubeSats and small satellites, one in K/Ka and one in Ku-band for applications in LEO and GEO. The development of these products makes use of the know-how acquired by the company through various opportunities provided by the European and Italian Space Agencies. Along with the transponders, PICOSATS has also developed K/Ka-band and Ku-band horn antennas, and a V-band double reflector antenna for small satellites.

An international research team led by Milan’s Institute of Photonics and Nanotechnologies – part of the National Research Council (Cnr-lfn) – has used an innovative approach to investigate the chirality of molecules, an essential property to develop technologically innovative solutions in the fields of materials science, pharmaceutics, and catalysis processes. The study was conducted at the laboratories of the Elettra Synchrotron Research Centre in Trieste, home to the FERMI free-electron laser. This is a last generation instrument that has enabled chirality at the level of individual atoms to be “photographed” during an ultrafast process. The results of the study have been published in the scientific journal Physical Review X. “A chiral molecule is not superimposable on its mirror image: in other words, it is a molecule that does not have mirror symmetry, and that exists in two different forms, called enantiomers, which cannot be superimposed by rotation or translation”, explained Caterina Vozzi, director of Cnr-lfn. “Understanding this property is important to many aspects of chemistry, biology and physics: the chemical reactivity and biological and pharmacological activity of chiral molecules can vary significantly depending on the configuration of the enantiomers. In applications with these complex molecules, it is therefore important to understand how each atom contributes to total chirality, especially during chemical reactions”. In the study, the variation of the chiral properties of a molecule were analysed over time using the radiation produced by a free electron laser (FEL), a cutting-edge technology that produces extremely intense and short pulses of light, lasting a few femtoseconds (1 femtosecond corresponds to a millionth of a billionth of a second). “The FERMI free electron laser is the only one in the world capable of producing pulses of circularly polarized light capable of exploring these phenomena. This type of light is able to provide detailed information on the structure and dynamics of molecules, opening up new perspectives in basic and applied research ”, added Oksana Plekan, researcher at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, co-author of the study. “In this study, we have shown how the chirality of a molecule changes during an ultrafast process when we observe it from the perspective of the atoms forming it. This ability to observe chirality from multiple points of view is similar to stereoscopic vision in humans, thanks to which we can perceive the depth and three-dimensionality of the world around us”, stated Davide Faccialà, researcher at Cnr-Ifn and first author of the study. “The technique we have demonstrated enables us to observe in real time how the chirality of a molecule changes at an unprecedented level of detail, opening up new avenues for understanding the chemical and physical properties of chiral molecules in chemical reactions”. The study demonstrated the importance of combining expertise in different scientific fields to achieve innovative results in research. ———– The Italian Institute for the Structure of Matter (Istituto di struttura della materia — Ism) of the National Research Council (Consiglio nazionale delle ricerche — Cnr), the French National Centre of Scientific Research (Centre national de la recherche scientifique) and the University of Bordeaux (France), the University of Nottingham (UK), the German Electron Synchrotron (Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron) and the University of Hamburg (Germany), the Polytechnic University of Milan (Politecnico di Milano) (Italy), the University of Nova Gorica (Slovenia), the Sincrotrone Soleil (France) and the University of Tokyo (Japan) contributed to the research.

A close collaboration between scientific institutes and companies in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region has produced promising results in the treatment of difficult wounds. A new advanced therapy for the effective resolution of difficult wounds has been published in the Nature group journal npj Regenerative Medicine. The study has shown how certain fat cells, named Stromal Vascular Fraction or SVF, are able to promote the formation of new blood vessels at the wound level, with important acceleration of healing time. Difficult wounds are extremely painful skin lesions that do not heal, and in fact worsen over time. This is caused by the coexistence of underlying chronic diseases, primarily diabetes and peripheral arterial disease, which do not allow adequate vascularization of the wound, which is necessary to ensure sufficient oxygen and nutrient supply, and thus healing. This is a common condition in people over 60, at least as common as heart failure, with major limitations in daily activities. The economic implications are important. About 3 percent of the global health budget is spent on the care of difficult wounds, which require specialized and expensive therapies: in Italy, more than 3 billion euros per year. Added to this is the reduction in the patient’s ability to work and the sometimes constant need for health care. This research, led by Serena Zacchigna, head of the Cardiovascular Biology Laboratory at the ICGEB and professor of Molecular Biology at the University of Trieste, was made possible by the PREFER project-Development of a Biocompatible PRoduct for the tErapy of Difficult FERites, funded by the 2014-2020 European Regional Development Fund Operational Program of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. In addition to ICGEB and UniTS, two regional companies, Zeta Research and Vivabiocell, led the project. “Currently available therapies are based on the application of skin substitutes to promote wound healing,” Zacchigna explains, “However, their effectiveness is limited by the inadequate vascularization that usually underlies this disease. How does this new therapy work? We took cells derived from the patients’ adipose tissue and applied them to the wound bed. After a few days, we observed the formation of a new vascular network, functional and connected with the pre-existing vessels.” “Restoring adequate blood supply to the wound is critical to support healing of the skin lesion,” continues Giovanni Papa, UniTS professor and Director of the Plastic Surgery Unit of the Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Giuliano Isontina (ASUGI), which provided the cells and enabled validation of the efficacy. Collaboration between academia and business enabled this first milestone toward better care and quality of life for people with difficult wounds. Crucial to this journey was the participation of VivaBioCell, a leading manufacturer of bioreactors for cell therapies, which brought its industrial expertise and ability to transform research results into implementable solutions in a clinical reality. “The joint work between us academic researchers, hospital clinicians and the industrial research and development department was essential to define concrete goals that were compatible with the needs of the industrial scaling-up process,” says Roman Vuerich, first author of the paper and a doctoral student at UniTS and ICGEB. “This project was an example of how the synergy between academia and business can lead to concrete solutions to public health challenges.” “We are confident that this collaboration can continue in the future to bring an advanced therapy product to patients and serve as a beacon to promote other collaborative projects between research centers, hospitals and industry. Only through funding that supports the synergy between these entities will we be able to ensure that research results reach patients and that this can also happen in Italy,” Zacchigna and Papa concluded in unison. Link to the paper.

Alzheimer’s disease is not the same for men and women: certain molecular mechanisms in fact differ between the two sexes, particularly in terms of metabolism of an amino acid that has recently been proposed as an early marker of this disease and which would therefore not be equally reliable for men and women. These are the findings of an Italian study published in “Cell Reports” in September and led by the University of Milan, with collaboration of the Insubria University, University of Milano-Bicocca, Rome’s Tor Vergata University and the Area Science Park Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory (LAGE). The research paves the way for distinct and personalised treatment based on gender. Researchers analysed post-mortem samples from the brains of men and women with normal ageing and from patients of Alzheimer’s disease. Area Science Park’s contribution, explains Danilo Licastro, Head of LAGE, was focused on genomic and epigenomic analysis. The greatest challenge was to define and implement an analysis protocol that was compatible with the RNA tissue samples sent by the University of Tor Vergata and previously provided by biobanks, because this post-mortem tissue did not present the same quality as fresh tissue. Analysis highlighted marked differences in terms of the metabolic pathways altered. Two examples are insulin response and metabolism of the amino acid serine (which generates an important regulator of cerebral function, D-Serine). This is of particular interest because D-Serine modulates neurotransmission and also because its levels in the blood have been proposed as an early marker of this disease. “These results demonstrate how Alzheimer’s changes and, in certain aspects, inverts some features in the two sexes”, commented Elisa Maffioli, from the University of Milan, “highlighting how different mechanisms are active or not based on gender and opening the possibility of treatment with innovative approaches that differ for men and women”.   Read the whole article: Insulin and serine metabolism as sex-specific hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease in the human hippocampus

Area Science Park is backing the Ernesto Illy joint Master’s degree programme in Coffee Economics and Science as a partner, encouraged by the course’s unique programme. It takes both a scientific and managerial approach, with a strong emphasis being made on collaboration between the public and private sectors. The course offers specific academic training on the biological, agronomic, technological and economic aspects of going from coffee plant to end product. One of our tasks as an institution is to promote industry training activities, involving the world of business. Area Science Park is a firm believer in universities and research institutes being one of the driving forces behind national scientific research. Their role is to process and convey scientific knowledge, including by encouraging cooperation between the public and private sectors. The other partners in the programme are: the University of Trieste, the University of Udine, the International School for Advanced Studies Trieste (SISSA), illycaffè S.p.A and the Ernesto Illy Foundation. The Master’s course is inspired by Ernesto Illy’s approach, ethics and values, and incorporates his cultural heritage. The aim is to study and pass on his work and ideas, and the moral legacy of his extraordinary innovative spirit. The course is open to graduates from all over the world with a degree in a scientific or technological field, or in the social sciences and humanities. For more general information: master@fondazioneilly.org For more information about the Master’s course: Master’s degree in Coffee Economics and Science – Ernesto Illy Foundation (fondazionernestoilly.org) For more information about the specific programme: MCES-Ernesto Illy – 2021 programme (ENG-ITA) (fondazionernestoilly.org)    

From 16th to 20th May, Danish artist Sissel Marie Tonn has been guest at Area Science Park’s labs to work on her art residency project “The Sentinel Immune Self”. She is the winner of the “Preserving co-evolution” challenge organised as part of the European S+T+ARTS programme. S+T+ARTS (Science + Technology + Arts) is a European Commission initiative launched under the Horizon 2020 programme which encourages hybrid collaboration between science, technology and art. The art residency is organised as part of the research work carried out by the institution and some of the centres in the system. Organised in collaboration with Milan’s MEET Digital Cultural Center, it is one of 21 fellowships funded across Europe by the programme. The theme for the challenge was Preserving sustainability and inclusiveness in the co-evolution, that is: “How can we preserve the evolution of species by improving the ability of communities to be resilient?”. The greatest challenges of our time – issues such as mass extinctions, viral pandemics and climate change – serve as a reminder that we are intrinsically connected to our ecosystems. In her arts research, Sissel Marie Tonn has been exploring the relationship between our immune system and our constantly changing environment for some years, including with the help of immunologists and toxicologists. She has been talking to a number of researchers from Trieste’s research hub since March of this year. Among them are Alessio Ansuini and the research team working on data science and computing infrastructures at Area Science Park; Jacopo Grilli, a researcher at the ICTP working on theoretical and mathematical models to define the factors impacting terrestrial biodiversity; and Lisa Vaccari, an experimental scientist at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste who uses various techniques in her research, from spectroscopy to microscopy, applying them to different study topics, from materials science to biology. Through the lens of an immersive, interactive animation, the artist will use the information gleaned from researchers and her upcoming visit to the labs at Area Science Park, to reconstruct a science-fiction universe in which humans share their immune response with all other species affected by microplastic pollution. As an allegory of the process of evolution, the project is intended to warn us against the profound consequences pollutants have on us and our ecosystem. The artist’s works will be on display to the public from October 2022 at the Maxxi Museum in Rome, the MEET Digital Culture Center in Milan, Ars Electronica in Linz (Austria) and ZKM, Center for Art and Media in Karlsruhe (Germany). “Researchers today have to be able to explain their research findings in a clear and understandable way to reach as many people as possible,” says Area Science Park President Professor Caterina Petrillo. “This requires exploring new languages, stimulating contamination between different disciplines – one of which is, without doubt, art, which has the same creative path as science. Bringing together these two seemingly disparate worlds stimulates new ideas and thought processes on both sides, which leads to new forms of innovation.”