News

The training course “Challenges and Prospects of Science Diplomacy in Central, Eastern and South-Eastern Europe” will take place in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region from 25 to 28 November 2025. Around thirty participants from twelve CEI Member States — Italy, Slovenia, Romania, Albania, Serbia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Montenegro, Hungary, North Macedonia, Moldova and Croatia — will take part. The group will be multidisciplinary, bringing together diplomats, researchers, civil servants from ministries and public administrations, staff from universities and research institutions, business professionals, and NGO representatives. The initiative is co-organised by the CEI Executive Secretariat, the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and the Department of Political and Social Sciences (DISPES) of the University of Trieste, in collaboration with the Scientific and Innovation System of Friuli Venezia Giulia (SIS FVG) and the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance (EUSDA). Area Science Park — which supports and promotes the initiative — will play a leading role on the final day of the course, 28 November, with two dedicated events: There will be a contribution by Dr. Salvatore La Rosa, Director of the Research & Innovation Division, in a round table on “The Role of Research Infrastructures in Science Diplomacy”, taking place during the study visit to FERMI, the free-electron laser located on the Area Science Park campus in Basovizza; A final round table to mark the conclusion of the training programme, held at the conference centre on the Padriciano Campus and featuring President Caterina Petrillo, representatives of the CEI and EUSDA, and experts from the CNR and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Caterina Petrillo, “Trieste, thanks to its history, geographical position and the concentration of internationally renowned scientific institutions it hosts, is the ideal place to organise a school on science diplomacy — a tool of undisputed value where training is essential. In this context, the contribution that the institution I chair can offer is twofold: on one hand, its long-standing experience in managing complex projects in the Balkan region and Central-Southern Europe; on the other, the recent development of research and technology infrastructures, which serve as hubs attracting both the scientific and business communities and as drivers of growth for the territories that host them.” The initiative is set within a particularly dynamic international and European framework. In 2025, UNESCO launched the first Global Dialogue on Science Diplomacy, while the Council of the European Union is discussing the adoption of a Recommendation encouraging Member States to develop a shared European Framework for Science Diplomacy. With this initiative, Trieste and Friuli Venezia Giulia reaffirm their role as a laboratory of international dialogue, where science becomes a driving force for peace, growth and cooperation among nations and cultures.

The World Antimicrobial Resistance Awareness Week (WAAW), promoted by the World Health Organization (WHO), will take place from 18 to 24 November under this year’s theme “Preventing Antimicrobial Resistance Together: Protecting Our Present, Securing Our Future”. The main goal is to raise global awareness of the danger of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) – a phenomenon that occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites evolve to resist the effects of medicines, making infections increasingly difficult to treat. In the lead-up to this globally significant event – from health, scientific and social perspectives – Area Science Park organised today in Trieste, in collaboration with the University of Trieste, the International Workshop “Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance: Prevention, Monitoring and Counteraction”. The event focused on prevention, monitoring and counteraction strategies to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The initiative, developed within the PRP@CERIC project and promoted under the patronage of major national and international scientific institutions – including the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), the Italian Society of Microbiology (SIM) and the University of Trieste – the initiative brought together experts from academia, clinical research and industry to discuss the latest studies and innovative solutions aimed at addressing the growing threat of drug-resistant bacteria. In recent years, scientific research has been striving to find effective answers and strategies to stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and develop therapies capable of treating infections that no longer respond to traditional treatments. International scientific cooperation remains one of the key factors in tackling what is widely recognised as one of the greatest public health challenges of our time. During the workshop, experts emphasised that monitoring is a cornerstone of the Italian National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (PNCAR). Antimicrobial resistance is an evolutionary and global process responsible for 1.27 million direct deaths and 4.95 million total associated deaths each year – a figure that exceeds the combined totals of tuberculosis and HIV. The ESKAPE group of bacteria (Enterococcus faecium, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli), together with Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Streptococcus pneumoniae, are currently among the main culprits of the most difficult infections to treat. “The situation regarding antibiotic resistance is highly heterogeneous. In Italy, we are observing growing caution and awareness in the prescription and correct use of antimicrobials — both in human medicine and in livestock farming — but globally, management of the issue remains inconsistent,” said Federica Mantovani of Area Science Park. The World Health Organization and the European Commission have both pointed out that, despite preventive measures, there is still a serious lack of innovation in this field. Of the roughly ninety drugs currently under development, only fifteen are considered truly innovative. It is crucial to intensify research — including basic research — to develop radically new therapies and overcome antibiotic resistance, since continuing to rely on existing therapeutic models will not be sufficient”. To combat the spread of AMR, coordinated action is needed at both international and local levels, based on antibiotic stewardship programmes – promoting the rational and targeted use of antimicrobials – along with continuous epidemiological surveillance and the “One Health” approach, which recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental health. “Antimicrobial resistance is a global phenomenon that requires local action,” highlighted Stefania Stefani of the University of Catania. Its impact varies greatly, with much more severe consequences in Africa, India and the Far East, where there are critical issues in accessing care and new antibiotics. In Italy, for instance, we face high mortality rates due to multidrug-resistant Gram-negative microorganisms. It is a multifactorial problem with no borders. To address it, the One Health approach is essential, recognising that resistance arises equally in humans, animals (livestock) and the environment. We must study the problem in all these contexts, identifying hotspots for resistant microorganisms — such as wastewater treatment facilities — to understand their origins and assess future risks to human health”. A significant portion of the workshop was devoted to presenting innovative therapeutic strategies, including research on human monoclonal antibodies isolated from convalescent patients, capable of preventing and treating bacterial infections and helping to identify new antigens for vaccine development. These advances open up concrete perspectives for countering resistant pathogens and reducing the global public health burden of AMR. “Monoclonal antibodies represent a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics,” explained Claudia Sala of the Biotecnopolo Foundation of Siena, “as they can target only pathogenic bacteria with high specificity, preserving the ‘good’ microbiota that is often harmed by conventional antibiotics. Monoclonal antibodies are already approved for other diseases, such as cancer and autoimmune disorders, where their use is well established. As for antibacterial antibodies, we are still in the discovery phase — and human trials take time, as they must go through multiple stages of testing”. Another promising approach, discussed by Mariagrazia Di Luca of the University of Pisa and the ICGEB, involves the use of bacteriophages, viruses that infect and destroy bacteria, emerging as precision antimicrobials for targeted therapies — for example, in cases of chronic infections. These viruses offer a highly specific solution because they selectively attack pathogenic bacteria while preserving beneficial microbiota. Thanks to scientific advances, researchers can now engineer phage cocktails and derivatives to overcome bacterial resistance mechanisms, with encouraging results already observed against multidrug-resistant pathogens such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. Nevertheless, significant challenges remain, particularly in terms of regulatory approval and large-scale production. Fighting antimicrobial resistance requires shared commitment and strengthened international cooperation — through the promotion of responsible antibiotic use, improved hygiene and infection prevention (including vaccination), and sustained support for research into new therapies.

With a project that combines environmental sustainability, energy efficiency, and technological innovation, Area Science Park has won first place in the FVGreen Award – Friuli Venezia Giulia Sustainability Prize, Energy and Climate category, Public Bodies, Consortia and Administrations section. The award recognises public institutions, companies, and organisations committed to ecological transition and the development of projects with high environmental, energy, and social value. The recognition, presented on 8 November at the Teatro Verdi in Trieste, honours Building X — a new construction on the Basovizza campus — designed to host the Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) and serve as a model of sustainable public architecture. The jury’s motivation stated: ” The building, by its intended use, requires large interior volumes, high rates of air exchange, and stable temperature and humidity conditions. These demanding performances are achieved through advanced dry construction techniques and a careful selection of materials (especially wood and steel). The design, construction, and management of the spaces follow rigorous criteria of energy efficiency and circular use of materials. The building consists of demountable and recyclable components and is designed to be reversible and modular, ensuring long-term durability. To guarantee high energy performance – class A1 – both passive and active systems have been adopted. The heating, cooling and hot-water systems use exclusively heat pumps powered by electricity produced by photovoltaic panels installed on the roof. This building is a model of how the climate challenge can be turned into an opportunity for innovation and the creation of high-performance architecture”. The award was accepted by Regina Ciancio, Head of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) at Area Science Park, and Andrea Zelco, Director of the Management and Development Division of the Science and Technology Park. “The strengthening of the organisation’s research activities dedicated to the analysis of functional materials through advanced electron microscopy required investments both in innovative instrumentation and in new, dedicated laboratory spaces. Hence, the need for a building designed with the necessary technical specifications — a project that, of course, could not disregard sustainability, bio-compatibility and energy efficiency,” explained Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park. “This project was made possible through the organisation’s own financial resources, complemented by important support from the Ministry of University and Research, earmarked for laboratory infrastructure. The expansion and modernisation plan for our campus does not end with Building X: we are already designing a second facility in Basovizza dedicated to research activities, and planning a series of green renovation projects for the existing assets of the science and technology park”.   Features of Building X Currently in an advanced phase of construction and scheduled for completion in spring 2026, Building X has a total volume of approximately 3,000 cubic metres and has been designed with strict modular and precision criteria. It combines functionality and sustainability, providing highly controlled environments in terms of thermal, acoustic and vibration stability — essential for high-precision scientific instrumentation. The new facility is a tangible example of sustainable, decarbonised architecture. It is undergoing certification under the LEED – Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design protocol, with the goal of achieving the “Silver” level, becoming one of the first public buildings in Friuli Venezia Giulia to obtain this prestigious certification. The entire project was conceived to minimise the environmental impact throughout the building’s entire life cycle: Zero fossil fuels: heating, cooling and hot-water production rely exclusively on heat pumps powered by renewable electricity. Clean energy generation: the roof hosts a 62.4 kW photovoltaic system capable of covering a substantial portion of the building’s energy needs. Sustainable and recyclable materials: the glulam-wood and steel structure, built with lightweight prefabrication techniques, ensures precision, waste reduction, and the possibility of disassembly and reuse at the end of its life. Energy efficiency: the building achieves Class A1 energy performance — an outstanding result for a high-tech scientific laboratory. Environmental integration and comfort: the south-facing roof overhang provides solar shading in summer and passive heating in winter; the use of local materials such as Aurisina stone reduces transport-related emissions and enhances the surrounding landscape. Thanks to these solutions, the building makes a concrete contribution to the decarbonisation of regional public infrastructure and serves as a replicable model for other scientific and administrative facilities. The Electron Microscopy Laboratory (LAME) at Area Science Park is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation capable of imaging and characterising materials down to sub-Ångström resolution. Its activities support research on advanced materials and the development of new technologies in the fields of functional materials, energy and nanotechnology. The laboratory operates in support of scientific research and technology transfer, strengthening the region’s competitiveness and fostering collaboration among public institutions, universities and enterprises. Beyond research, the new building will also provide spaces dedicated to training, scientific outreach and the promotion of a culture of sustainability, fully aligned with Area Science Park’s mission to combine science, innovation and environmental responsibility.

From November 3 to 5, 2025, the EOSC Symposium 2025 took place in Brussels. The Symposium is an annual meeting organized by the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), the European technological ecosystem that promotes open science and open data paradigms and provides services to manage, share, and reuse research data securely and in compliance with regulations. Among the speakers at the symposium, in the session Integrating Training & Skills in EOSC, was Mariarita de Luca, technologist at Area Science Park, who gave an insights on strategies to be implemented at the European level to integrate EOSC skills into national and community training programs, enhance the role of Competence Centres, and bridge the gap between policy and practical application in open science education. During her talk, Mariarita de Luca also shared the experience of theMaster in Data Management and Curation(MDMC), co-organized by Area Science Park and the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA). Now in its second edition, the Master provides young researchers with advanced skills in managing research data according to the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and includes innovative modules on open science and artificial intelligence, addressing emerging needs related to both FAIR and EOSC-oriented competencies.