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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.  

Ultrasound technologies for non-invasive surgery and the “superfoods” of the future, innovative electromagnets, supercapacitors for electric mobility, and satellite optical communication technologies: the national research body Area Science Park announces the five startups selected as winners of the Deep Tech Revolution call, which allocates a total of €1 million in funding to innovative high-tech business projects. Each selected startup will receive €200,000 in funding, half in cash and half in high-tech services supporting research and development activities — including privileged access to Area Science Park’s advanced infrastructures and laboratories — as well as business growth support services. Deep Tech Revolution is a programme launched by Area Science Park to promote and support frontier research and deep tech innovation, with a focus on four key areas: materials science, advanced digital technologies, green energy value chains, and life sciences. The programme will provide non-repayable funding to five entrepreneurial projects selected from dozens of applications submitted from across Italy. Soundsafe Care (Pisa) develops robotic solutions that use ultrasound technologies for extracorporeal surgical procedures without incisions; Yeastime (Rome) applies ultrasound stimulation to optimise microalgae cultivation, increasing productivity and bioactive compounds for food/feed, nutraceutical and industrial biotech applications; Novac (Modena) develops a supercapacitor for automotive applications that acts as a power reserve for battery packs, integrated into vehicles within a carbon-fibre casing to optimise weight and volume; Magnetic Future (Bologna) develops a new class of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) switches designed to facilitate the adoption of superconducting electromagnets in high-impact sectors such as nuclear fusion, wind energy, space propulsion and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); SatEnlight (Milan) proposes the use of advanced optical technologies to increase the speed, reliability and security of satellite data transmission. « The Deep Tech Revolution programme represents an ambitious challenge within Area’s strategic framework, arising from the convergence of the organisation’s long-standing experience in innovation and venture creation with recently developed scientific research capabilities,” explained Caterina Petrillo, President of Area Science Park, who added: « The initiative supports high-risk ideas and projects which, precisely because of their innovative nature, often encounter difficulties in attracting investors. In this context, the role of Area Science Park as a public research organisation can be crucial in creating the conditions for these initiatives to emerge and grow, absorbing part of the risk that the market is sometimes not yet willing to take on». The programme. The support programme will last twelve months, and its main added value is that the startups leading the funded projects will gain privileged access to Area Science Park’s technological and research infrastructures and laboratories for the first time. The offering includes laboratories for instrumental analysis, structural, cellular and molecular biology — in particular the Genomics and Epigenomics Laboratory and Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste — as well as equipment for analysing nanomaterials and innovative energy materials through the Electron Microscopy Laboratory. It also includes the High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure with the Data Engineering Laboratory, and the network of demonstrators of the Digital Innovation Hub. The programme will also feature international study visits, allowing participants to connect directly with leading global innovation and research ecosystems through visits to centres of excellence and meetings with experts, entrepreneurs and researchers. In addition, training and capacity-building bootcamps and networking activities will be organised through dedicated events and meetings aimed at fostering collaboration, investment opportunities and strategic growth through connections with key stakeholders. Applications. During the open call period, 187 expressions of interest were submitted by startups, university spin-offs and research groups that registered in order to apply for the call. A total of 80 projects eventually completed the application process, coming from across the country and representing almost three quarters of Italian regions (14 out of 20). Two main hubs stand out: Lazio and Friuli Venezia Giulia, both with 15 projects each. In Lazio, most projects originate from Rome (13), while in Friuli Venezia Giulia they are mainly concentrated in Trieste (8) and Udine (6). In Northern Italy, strong participation came from Emilia-Romagna (10) and Veneto (8) — driven respectively by the university hubs of Bologna (6) and Padua (5) — as well as Lombardy (6, with Milan accounting for 5) and Piedmont (4). Central Italy, beyond the Roman hub, also shows solid participation with Tuscany (8, including 6 from Pisa) and Marche (1). From Southern Italy, 11 projects were submitted, led by Apulia (5, including 4 from Bari) and Abruzzo (3), alongside Campania (2) and Sicily (1). Overall, this geographical distribution reflects a widely distributed ecosystem, combining major metropolitan hubs and regional innovation centres with medium-sized provinces, demonstrating truly widespread participation across the national territory. « We were truly impressed by the quality of the proposals submitted,” commented Pablo Garcia Tello, Head of the EU Projects and Initiatives Development Section at CERN in Geneva, who chaired the evaluation committee responsible for assessing the projects and selecting the five startups awarded the funding. « They demonstrate not only an exceptional level of scientific and technological excellence, but also a strong commitment to translating these results into tangible benefits for society. The initiative appears very solid and promises significant developments in the future». The Startups Soundsafe Care (Pisa) Project: ØSCAR 2.0 – A robotic device for non-invasive tissue mechanical ablation Soundsafe Care is an accredited spin-off of the Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa that integrates robotics and ultrasound technologies to redefine surgical standards. The “Zero Scar” (ØSCAR 2.0) project operates in the field of life sciences and advanced medical technologies, focusing on innovation in non-invasive surgery. The company is developing cutting-edge devices capable of performing precise extracorporeal procedures, eliminating the need for surgical incisions while protecting surrounding healthy tissue through localised robot-assisted tumour ablation. For the development of the project, the startup will use chemical and phenotypic characterisation services, the High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure, and digital business environment analysis services. Yeastime (Roma) Project: US4BIOMA – Ultrasounds for Bioeconomy of Microalgae Based in Rome, Yeastime develops deep-tech solutions aimed at optimising biotechnological production processes through ultrasound stimulation. The US4BIOMA project operates in the life sciences sector by implementing innovative systems for microalgae cultivation. By integrating ultrasound modules into different reactor configurations (phototrophic and heterotrophic), the startup aims to increase biomass productivity and enhance the accumulation of high-value bioactive compounds. These compounds have applications in sectors such as novel food products, animal feed, nutraceuticals and industrial biotechnology. Yeastime will access services including genomics and epigenomics analysis, structural biology, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and digital market analysis. Novac (Modena) Project: SCARF – Structural supercapacitor pack for automotive applications embedded in a reinforced carbon fibre shell Novac is an innovative startup based in Modena active in the research and development of new materials for energy storage. The “SCARF” project aims to optimise a structural supercapacitor designed to be coupled with battery packs in the automotive sector, providing an additional power reserve for vehicles. Novac’s proprietary technology enables the supercapacitor to be integrated directly into a carbon-fibre shell, exploiting vehicle volumes that are typically unused and allowing a reduction in the size of the main battery. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of scalable production for high-value markets. Services requested include atomic force microscopy (AFM), support in materials science and nanotechnology, and advanced technological analyses related to energy and critical raw materials. Magnetic Future (Bologna) Project: SuperSwitch – Scalable HTS Switching Devices for Efficient Superconducting Power Systems Magnetic Future is a deep-tech spin-off from Mercatorum University and the University of Bologna, established to accelerate the adoption of superconducting electromagnets in high-impact sectors such as nuclear fusion, wind energy, space propulsion and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The project aims to validate a new class of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) switches, essential components for flux pumps, innovative power supply systems that significantly improve the energy efficiency of superconducting magnets. The initiative lies at the frontier of applied superconductivity and power conversion technologies for the energy transition. The startup will benefit from HPC infrastructure and advanced analytical services in the fields of energy, hydrogen and critical raw materials. SatEnlight (Milano) Project: SatEnlight – Unlocking the full potential of Optical Communications SatEnlight, a Milan-based startup at the forefront of terrestrial and satellite communications, proposes the use of advanced optical technologies to increase the speed, reliability and security of data transmission. Thanks to two exclusive patents for an optical reception system based on orbital angular momentum (OAM), the company aims to transform the sector. The technology uses so-called optical vortices to multiplex multiple data channels onto a single laser beam, dramatically increasing bandwidth efficiency. SatEnlight’s mission is to establish a new standard for high-performance space communications. The development programme includes digital business analysis services and access to the High Performance Computing (HPC) infrastructure.

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”.

The Board of Directors of Area Science Park appointed Giorgio Graditi as the new Director General of the national research organization at its board meeting on 17 December 2025. Following a public selection procedure and a thorough evaluation process, the Board, following a proposal by Area Science Park’s president Professor Caterina Petrillo, approved Graditi’s appointment as Director General. Currently Director General of ENEA and a leading figure in the field of research and technological development in the energy sector, Graditi will take office on 1 March 2026 with a five-year mandate. Graditi previously served as Director of ENEA’s Department of Energy Technologies and Renewable Sources and contributed to the development of national and European strategies, projects, and initiatives in the fields of energy, digital and ecological transition, and sustainable development. His current positions include the Presidency of Medener, the association of national agencies for energy efficiency and renewable energy sources in the Mediterranean recognized by the European Commission; the Presidency of SIET (Società Informazioni Esperienze Termoidrauliche S.p.A.), which operates in the nuclear sector; membership of the Board of Directors of the University of Cassino and Southern Lazio; membership of the Board of Directors of the NEST Foundation (Network for Energy Sustainable Transition); membership of the Scientific Board of the Rome Technopole Foundation; and membership – serving as coordinator – of the Scientific Board of the National Energy Technology Cluster.    

A groundbreaking research project, supported by the European Research Infrastructures Consortium CERIC-ERIC, has shed new light on one of the most unusual and little-known chapters of human history: how human skin used to be tattooed – and then preserved – centuries ago. The study, recently published in the journal Heritage Science, combines history, chemistry, anthropology, and conservation science to better understand and protect rare tattooed skin fragments, many over a century old, held in the historic “Luigi Cattaneo” Anatomical Wax Collection at the University of Bologna. The research, which involved a multidisciplinary team from CERIC-ERIC, the Italian Space Agency (ASI), Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste, the University of Bologna, the University of Rome “Tor Vergata” and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), offers a unique window into past tattooing practices, cultural traditions, and the ways museums once collected and studied the human body. Tattooing is an ancient human practice found across cultures and eras, from the 5,000-year-old tattooed “Ötzi” mummy discovered in the Alps to medieval Christian pilgrims who marked their bodies as signs of faith. But alongside this rich history lies a darker legacy: the collection of tattooed human skin by early scientists, criminologists, and museums, particularly during the 19th century. At that time, tattoos were mistakenly viewed as signs of criminality or “primitive” behavior, ideas promoted by influential but now-discredited figures such as Italian criminologist Cesare Lombroso. This led to the preservation of tattooed skin in museums and research institutions across Europe. The tattooed fragments studied in this research primarily represent the Loreto tattooing tradition – a devotional practice geographically confined to central Italy and intimately connected to pilgrimages to the Holy House of Loreto, a major Catholic sanctuary in the Marche region. “These tattoos – explains Monia Vadrucci, researcher at ASI and first author of the study – reveal intimate stories of individuals who lived in central Italy between the late 18th and early 20th centuries. Religious subjects – Madonnas of Loreto, monstrances, Sacred Hearts – testify to pilgrimages made to the Sanctuary of the Holy House, a journey that for peasants and people of humble origins represented a difficult undertaking, often accomplished on foot through the countryside. The date “1881” inscribed next to a Madonna, for example, immortalizes not only the year of the pilgrimage but probably a crucial moment in that person’s life: a grace received, a promise kept, or an act of thanksgiving”. The tattoo, performed with rudimentary three-pointed iron tools, became a permanent ex-voto, a physical bond with the divine imprinted on the skin – primarily on the wrists – recalling the stigmata of Christ and Saint Francis. Alongside sacred symbols, profane and erotic tattoos also emerge, evidence of a popular culture that mixed devotion and carnality without apparent contradiction. “The differences observed among the specimens, which suggest individuals of varying ages,” adds Stefano Ratti, Professor of Human Anatomy at the University of Bologna and scientific expert of the “Luigi Cattaneo” Anatomical Wax Collection, “indicate that these people carried their tattoos throughout their lives-indelible marks of moments that defined their spiritual and social identity in an era when the body itself became a book of memory”. The tattooed skin pieces were rediscovered only recently in museum storage. With little documentation surviving about their origins, researchers saw an opportunity to study them with modern, non-invasive investigation methods that would protect the extremely fragile specimens while revealing their secrets: “Through advanced spectroscopic analyses conducted at Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste – explains Chiaramaria Stani, former CERIC researcher who is now beamline scientist at Elettra – we identified traditional pigments such as plant-based carbon black for black tattoos, natural earth pigments for browns, and a mixture of cinnabar and minium for reds. But we also discovered traces of zinc and lime compounds, possibly suggesting the museum conservation methods of the time. This multidisciplinary approach allows us to document a nearly extinct cultural practice and develop specific conservation protocols for these unique materials”. This research offers valuable insights into the moral, social, and religious dimensions of tattooing in 19th century Italy, contributing to the understanding of tattooing evolution from a devotional and identity-based practice to a contemporary art form. It also establishes a framework for museums worldwide that care for similar materials – many of which also lack documentation or face conservation challenges. Future investigations aim to expand the scientific techniques used and explore archival sources to better understand who these individuals were and how their tattooed skin came to be preserved. The research team also emphasizes the importance of addressing the ethical dimensions of studying and exhibiting human remains, recognizing them as sensitive materials that require respectful treatment while acknowledging their cultural and scientific value.

The results of an important study published in the scientific journal Cell Reports describe the development of a new model capable of reconstructing key physiological features of the human liver, allowing the pathological processes that drive liver degeneration to be closely observed in the laboratory. The study, supported by AIRC Foundation for Cancer Research, has been coordinated by Giovanni Sorrentino, Group Leader, Advanced Disease Models at ICGEB, and Associate Professor of Histology at the University of Trieste, and comprises a multidisciplinary team including biotechnologists, physicists, and clinicians, to integrate cellular biology, genomics, tissue engineering, and direct clinical observations to develop the unique research platform. “The new system makes it possible to recreate the pathological activation of liver stem cells in the laboratory,” says Sorrentino, an expert in in vitro tissue engineering based on stem cell technologies and three-dimensional organoids. “In the early stages of chronic liver disease, this process has regenerative purposes. However, when it persists, it becomes one of the main factors in inflammation, tissue scarring, and progression toward advanced liver disease, including liver cancer.” For the first time, the model developed by researchers allows the observation of the pathological processes that drive liver tissue degeneration in chronic diseases and tumour progression in a three-dimensional environment that faithfully reproduces the complexity of the human liver, preserving the interactions between different cell populations. The researchers have discovered that reactive stem cell populations are critically dependent on their ability to synthesise cholesterol. Drugs widely used in clinical practice to lower cholesterol (such as statins) can halt the process of blocking abnormal stem cell activation, reducing inflammation and significantly slowing disease progression in chronic liver diseases. “In recent years,” comments Sorrentino, “clinical data from large patient populations have shown that people taking statins for the treatment of cardiovascular disease also show a slowdown in the progression of chronic liver diseases and a reduced risk of developing liver tumours such as cholangiocarcinoma, which results from prolonged abnormal activation of stem cells.” This study could reveal the molecular mechanisms underlying this connection, explaining why statins exert a protective effect. Beatrice Anfuso, Suresh Velnati, and Davide Selvestrel, the study’s lead authors, confirm that these results represent a decisive step forward. Thanks to the diverse expertise of team members, it has been possible to develop a platform that clarifies how the disease manifests itself and also reveals its initial vulnerabilities. The fact that one of these vulnerabilities can be treated with already approved drugs makes the discovery promising for early therapeutic intervention and disease prevention.

On the occasion of the year-end holiday season, we inform you that the organisation will be closed on the following days: 29, 30 and 31 December 2025 2 and 5 January 2026   Due to reduced attendance across the Area Science Park campuses, catering and bar services will operate with the following changes: Canteen and bar closures: 25–28 December 2025 2 and 5 January 2026 Pizzeria closure: 22 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 Reduced catering and bar services: On 24, 29, 30 and 31 December 2025, only one self-service line will be available. From 22 to 31 December 2025, the bar will operate reduced hours: 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Our best wishes for a happy holiday season and for a 2026 full of satisfaction and success!

The ICGEB and the Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network (DCVMN) have launched a Technology Transfer Training Programme with the aim of equipping low- and middle-income countries with the necessary knowledge and skills to accelerate the production of vaccines that can protect against emerging infectious diseases. The training course includes the participation of ten delegates from nine DCVMN member companies from countries such as Argentina, Ghana, India, Nicaragua, Thailand, and Vietnam. The training programme includes a five-week online component and a one-week laboratory training session. The first part covers the theoretical foundations of technology transfer, including Intellectual Property (IP) and licensing, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and regulatory considerations, different vaccine process platforms, and a roadmap for successful execution. The second phase takes place at the ICGEB’s Biotechnology Development Unit in Trieste and offers a practical and immersive experience in a GMP-like environment, allowing participants to put the learned concepts into practice. At the conclusion of the course, participants will return to their organizations with the necessary know-how to share the knowledge, amplify the impact of the training, and translate the learnings into concrete actions for vaccine development and production in their countries.

Support cities and regions across the Mediterranean in their fight against climate change by promoting swift, joint action to mitigate further adverse environmental, social, and economic impacts. This is the core objective of the INFIRE project — INnovative FInancing solutions for climate planning of REsilient and carbon neutral living areas — which brings together 10 expert partners with highly complementary skills. They are working together to build a long-term support framework to strengthen the capacity of public authorities in the participating regions to develop, implement, and monitor holistic policy solutions and tools for climate adaptation and carbon neutrality. To this end, the Train-the-Trainer (TtT) workshop was held at Area Science Park, bringing together technical partners from seven Mediterranean countries for two days of learning, peer exchange, and hands-on activities. The goal was to consolidate tools and methodologies that will be transferred to pilot municipalities in the next project phase, set to launch in the final months of 2025. Key topics aimed at strengthening public authorities’ competencies were addressed: from understanding the main public and private funding schemes — including innovative models such as public-private partnerships (PPPs) and citizen-led initiatives — to the criteria for selecting the most suitable financial instruments based on the specific features of different interventions. Operational aspects related to green bonds and climate bonds were also explored in depth, including eligibility criteria, issuance procedures, investor requirements, and reporting obligations, with specific attention to the needs of smaller municipalities. Finally, substantial focus was placed on building strong and efficient data management systems, which are essential for monitoring and evaluating local climate adaptation actions. Participants worked on indicators, data quality, and interoperability, developing critical skills to ensure decisions are based on reliable evidence. For more information about the INFIRE Project, click HERE.

The first NACHIP Open Call is officially open to fund innovative solutions along the hydrogen value chain, with an application deadline of 3 February 2026. NACHIP (North Adriatic Clean Hydrogen Investment Platform) is a platform co-funded by the European Union through the I3 instrument, aimed at accelerating clean hydrogen-related technologies in the fields of production, mobility, and urban areas. The NACHIP call is dedicated to supporting mature technological solutions in the hydrogen sector, with particular focus on innovative products, services, or processes applicable across the hydrogen value chain. Selected projects must contribute to the development, integration, or demonstration of already validated technologies (high TRL), in line with the needs of the NACHIP pilot projects in clean hydrogen production, mobility, and urban applications. The call offers up to €60,000 to highly innovative SMEs or consortia of small enterprises, funding projects with a high level of technological maturity (Technology Readiness Level > 7). The total budget available for this first open call is €540,000, covering 100% of eligible costs through a cascade funding mechanism. Eligible applicants include SMEs active in hydrogen technologies, components, digital solutions, and other relevant fields, registered in eligible EU regions (including Friuli Venezia Giulia, Veneto, Lazio, Umbria, Slovenia, and Croatia). Proposals will be evaluated based on their strategic impact and their ability to address the technical needs of the NACHIP project and the five pilot projects foreseen under the programme. To learn more: Launch of the NACHIP Open Call for SMEs – Funding Innovative Hydrogen Solutions – NACHIP

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.