ICSI - Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Inflammation
Fight the enemy within: a multidisciplinary approach to fight inflammation
Via Borsari, 46
44100 Ferrara
(Emilia-Romagna)
- Telephone:
- +39 0532 455353
- Fax:
- +39 0532 247278
- URL:
- http://
- Head of research program:
- Prof. Francesco Di Virgilio
- Contact:
- Prof. Francesco Di Virgilio
- Email:
- fdv@unife.it
Main points
The great strength is the close cooperation between the laboratories for immunological research and biochemistry, the laboratories for pharmaceutical and pharmacological research (synthesis and screening) and the clinical departments for chronic inflammatory illnesses.
Our centre can cover the whole performance spectrum – identification of new biological targets, synthesis and tests with new pharmacological substances, review of the effectiveness ex-vivo. We are currently not equipped for clinical tests.
Brief description
The Centre of Excellence was founded in 2001 by MIUR (the Italian Ministry for Universities and Research) as part of a national selection; it is, to date, the sole biomedical Centre of Excellence recognised by MIUR in the Emilia Romagna region. The aim of the centre is the investigation of molecular processes, which lead to the development of inflammation reactions and new molecules and their synthesis with anti-inflammatory activities .The Centre has equipment for micorarray, confocal microscopy, image analysis with 3D reconstruction, total body luminescence analysis and high-throughput-screening with fluorescence . The Centre also offers initial and further training for students or postgraduates (practice-oriented diplomas, doctorates, School of Clinical Pathology).
- Department:
- Immunology, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, Chemistry, Pharmaceutics, Rheumatology
- Head of research program:
- Prof. Francesco Di Virgilio
- Number of departments:
- 5
- Number of cooperations:
- 14
Sectors
-
ICT and Industry
- Miscellaneous
-
Life Sciences und Materials
- Biotechnology
- Diagnostics
- Biomedicine
- Pharmaceutics
Services
-
Research and Development
- Research and Development inside the park
- Technology transfer
- Commercialization of technologies
-
Human Resources
- Organisation of conferences, courses and seminars
- Staff training
- Staff recruiting
- Partnerships with universities and other research institutes
-
Other services
- Territorial marketing
- Location marketing
Data and Facts
Key data
- Founded in: 2001
- Number of departments: 5
- Number of cooperations: 14
- Number of foreign cooperations: 5
- Instruments: Zeiss Confocal Microscope LS-510; Nikon Eclipse 300 microscope with deconvolution and image analysis; Caliper IVIS-100 total body luminometer; Wallac3 Victor Perkin-Elmer Plate reader; 6 sterile hoods for cell culture; 4 CO2 incubators; 3 ultra centrifuges for cell fractionation studies; Robot for high-throughput plate handling plus highly sensitive plate reader (Microbeta Jet, PerkinElmer; full set up for digital microscopy).
- Total Number of Employees: 35
- Area for research facilities: 1.000 m²
- Total area: 1.500 m²
- Available area for new locations: The Centre is currently being restructured; therefore the space available cannot currently be estimated.
Sponsors
The sponsors are all public authorities:
- University of Ferrara,
- Agencies for financing scientific research (AIRC, Telethon, FISM),
- Emilia-Romagna Region (via the health department).
Objectives
- Build-up of new research activities
- Foundation of new companies
- Intensification of relations between universities and companies
- Creation of new jobs
- Attracting investors
- Economic exploitation of the scientific results
- Technological consulting for companies and institutions
- Enhancement of the technology level of companies and institutions
- Enhancement of job quality
- Enhancement of the competitiveness of companies
- Site support
Network
- Biopharmanet (www.biopharmanet.eu)
- Tecnopolo Ferrara and Members of the regional Life Sciences Platform.
Location
Location and Environment
Name |
Inhabitants |
Distance |
|
Location |
Ferrara |
134.600 |
|
PST |
Ferrara |
||
University |
University of Ferrara |
Infrastructure and links
Name |
Distance |
|
Airport |
Bologna |
53 Km |
Venezia |
120 Km |
|
Railway Station |
Ferrara |
|
Harbor |
Ravenna |
90 Km |
Venezia |
120 Km |
Technology transfer
Inclusion in EU project
- 7° Programma Quadro Comunità Europea - HEALTH-2007-2.4.5-3, Osteoporosis: signalling pathways in bone formation and homeostasis
- Agenzia Spaziale Italiana: OSMA (Osteoporosis and Muscle Atrophy)
Activities
- Development of new pharmacological antagonists of the receptors P1 and P2. International activity. Countries involved: USA, Germany.
- Development of new biosensors for the study of intercellular parameters.
Contacts to Germany already exist
Affectis Pharma AG, Munchen
Research and Development
Project 1
Description
Biosensors for identifying intercellular parameters and signals, financed by Art.11 of Ministerial Decrees No. 593, dated 08. August. Development of recombining technologies for the manufacture of biosensors, which can be of great interest for the pharmaceutical industry and for biotechnology.
Aim
- Ziel: Support in the start-up and spin-off phases.
- Target Group: spin-offs.
- Benefits: review of the competitiveness of the innovation. Pharmaceutical industry and biotechnology.
Project 2
Description
The inflammasome and its components: new markers for advanced diagnostic in rheumatology. Projects Region – University of Emilia Romagna, Innovative Research. Advanced Diagnostic Techniques. Development of new molecular sensors for the diagnosis of inflammations. Technologies of molecular biology and luminescence imagings.
Aim
Development of new methods for the diagnosis of inflammations. Research laboratories and in future also laboratories for clinical diagnostics. Pharmaceutical industry. Enhancement of the right time and precision in the identification of inflammations (see Foto).
Incubator and Incentives
Incubator
- Typology of enterprises to be incubated: University spin-offs
- Area of new locations: in preparation
- Equipment of the rooms in the incubator: Mixed use of the available equipment in the Centre
- Possible partnership with the Ateneo incubator for the companies
- Molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, microscopy, pharmaceutical chemistry, pharmacological screening
- Personalised services: Upon request
- Networking: Excellence Centres Network MIUR
- Financing: Regional, national and international financing agencies
Regional incentives
- PRRIITT Emilia Romagna
