News

In the grand setting of the Unione Industriale di Ancona, on November 22, 2024, the awards ceremony for the IT-Wiin 2024 Prize took place. This awards is aimed at Italian women who are entrepreneuts or researchers in public or private institutions and holders of patents.    Dr. Veronica Vighetto, a member of the NanoZoom research and co-inventor with Prof Valentina Cauda, was awarded for the internation patent titled "Metodo e apparato per immagini di contrasto in sonoluminescenza assistita da nanoparticelle in ambito medico-diagnostico, in particolare oncologico" (WO2022185208). This patent forms the foundation of the technology developed within the NanoZoom project, funded under the PoC Accademic scheme by NODES-Spoke 5. This is an excell recognition of both the value of the technology proposed in the NanoZoom project and the hard work the research team is putting in to transform an idea born in the academic field into an innovative application in diagnostic imaging.    For more information about the award: Click here For details on the NanoZoom project and research, please contact Professor Valentina Cauda at  valentina.cauda@polito.it

MEDICA - Leading International Trade fair saw the active participation of numerous regional entities and Italian clusters, including Bioindustry Park Silvano Fumero Società Benefit  with the BioPmed pole, CEI Piemonte, Camera di Commercio Venezia Giulia, Trieste e Gorizia, Trentino Sviluppo and Cluster Scienze della Vita del Friuli Venezia Giulia, gathered together in the collective stand organized by ITA - Italian Trade Agency.  The outcome of the event was overwhelmingly positive: collaborations with international partners such as KOBE Biomedical Innovation Cluster, Life Science Nord, Human Technology Styrua GmbH, and the other European clusters have opened up new perspectives for innovation. It was also a valuable occasion to promote NODES through the dissemination of One Pagers of academic and industrial PoC funded projects, Circular Health EDIH, the activities of the Sistema Poli di Innovazione Piemonte e il progetto ''Innovazione in mostra''.     Networking and Innovation in the heart of Düsseldorf  During the fair, an evening networking event took place at the historic Uerige brewery. Organized by Clust-ER Helath Emilia Romangna, Biopmed - Piemonte Healthcare Cluster Scienze della Vita del Friuli Venezia Giulia, in collaboration with Global Marketing Architecture, the initiative brought together Italian companies and internation partners in a place rich in charm and tradition.   The evening represented an opportunity for the participating companies, encouraging new connections and consolidating existing collaboration. The event highlighting the importance of teamwork among regional clusters, showcasing Italian innovation and paving the way towards international markets.    Looking to the future: emerging markets and international collaborations  The side event highlightined the future prospects of the sector, with a focus on emerging markets such at the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Latin America. The event showcased how the combination of innovation, collaboration and sustainability is driving the force of the sector, laying the foundation for an increasingly integrated and global system.  

With great satisfaction, the BioPmed cluster announces the conclusion of the 1to1 sessions, an initiative aimed at supporting SMEs benefiting from cascade funding calls. This activity allowed for a detailed analysis of the needs of participating companies, providing them with personalised support to maximise the opportunities for success of their projects.      Objectives and Outcome The individual session, each lasting one hour, provided:  Identify the specific characteristics of the SMEs and the projects supported  Assess needs in terms of exploitation of results, business development and internalization  Examine requirements related to public and private funding, research for industrial/business partners and definition of international market strategies  During the first meeting session, four projects were distinguished by their interest in end-users research, which is crucial for their application development:   Hemogate  Elevator  Tepsim  Predibio   Thanks to the direct feedback from the experts of the BioPmed cluster, these projects have received valuable strategic guidance to address the challenges related to end-user identification and valorizing their results.    The event was an important opportunity to strengthen the dialogue between NODES and the SMEs, providing them with useful tools to transform ideas into concrete and innovative solutions. This approach continues to strengthen the role of NODES as a catalyst for innovation and business growth in the health and aging sectors.   Next news:  The report of 1to1 activities will continue with two other dedicated news updates, highlighting additional projects and the results of the subsequent sessions.  Stay tuned to discover how NODES continues to enhance innovation and promote collaboration among its beneficiaries. 

TINCARE researchers present the INTERCOACH study at the Regional Conference of the Italian Society of Cardiology.    On November 9th, 2024, the Green Pea in Turin hosted the Italian Society of Cardiology Conference. On this occasion, Dr. Basso presented the INTERCOACH study, led by Prof. Dal Molin.    For the past couple of months, patients hospitalized for heart failure at the Maggiore della Carità University Hospital in Novara have been able to participate in this innovative research. In view of the discharge to the home, the patients and his family members to a web-based platform. In this way, an experienced nurse can take care of patients remotely and promptly intervene if necessary. The monitoring program also includes a six-month follow-up via telephone to promote a healthy lifestyle and prevent disease exacerbations.    The feedback appears positive; to date, ten people have joined the study. 

As announced in the NODES News dated 04/07/2024 (available at the following link), the new PhD student MS Skylar Tang has been recruited by Politecnico di Torino to assist the startup Paperbox Health in the development of the software DINO, a gamified computer app designed to assist in the early identification and possible diagnosis of learning disabilities. The student is enrolled in the PhD program in Mathematical Sciences, 40th cycle.    The software is based on a hierarchical Bayesian model, a special kind of content-based AI tools, implementing ideas coming from Item Response Theory (IRT). 

“Inside the heart of Industrial Piemonte, to discover the value of those who create value” is the claim of the fifth edition of ''Open Factories'', the initiatives of the Region of Piemonte aimed at promoting the value of business culture and, in particular, the ''factory'' as an essential element of the social, entrepreneurial and professional wealth of Piemonte.    Also this year, the Bioindustry Park, partner of NODES' Spoke 5, participated together with 140 facilities across the region, which were exceptionally opened their doors for the occasion. The initiative allowed visitors to gain direct insight into industrial production sites and to ''experience firsthand'' the ability to transform ideas and projects into outstanding processes and products.    Over two afternoons, on October 24th and 25th, Colleretto Giacosa headquarters welcomed groups of visitors, predominantly young people interested in the reality of the Science and Technology Park. They were guided through an exploitation of the heart of biotechnological innovation, discovering advanced technologies for the health and life sciences sector.    Over 11.000 visitors registered, and 150 school classes organized a company visit.   The reality of the PArk was presented togeher with companies : Merck Serono, AorticLab, Bridge4pharma and Fondazione ITS Biotecnologie e Nuove Scienze della Vita Piemonte which accompained the participants on a visit to the laboratory with the help of teachers and students.    The event was co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), serving as an opportunity to showcase to citizens the various ways in which ERDF resources can be effectivaly utilized. It was organized in partnership with the NODES project - Innovation Ecosystem for a Digital and Sustainable Northwest, funded by the MUR - PNRR, D.D. n.1054. 

Dr. Alessandra Audisio from the Politecnico di Torino was awarded the Best Scientific Work for her innovative technique to monitor mobility in everyday life environments.    In the splendid setting of the hotel ''La Palma di Stresa'', overlooking Lake Maggiore, the MOVEWISE project was presented to the Italian Society for Movement Analysis in Clinics(of which Prof. Cereatti is the president) during the XXIV National Congress. The project of the Research Module 3 of the flagship project TINCARE, aims to develop a wearable system for monitoring mobility parameters most related to the risk of falls in everyday life. The dissemination took place in oral form and through poster, presented by ing. Marco Caruso, by dr. Marco Boldreghini, by prof. Valentina Agostini and by prof Andrea Cereatti, who facilitated a rich discussion with colleagues and experts in the field.    The most exciting news, however, was the awarding of thE SIAMOC 2024 Best Works Society Prize to dr. Alessandra Audisio, a young PhD student at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Prof. Cereatti's group, in collaboration with engineers Daniele Fortunato, Paolo Tasca and Marco Caruso. Her study within the MOVEWISE project, titled ''Validation of a new method for center of mass trajectory estimation in simulated daily life activities based on inertial and barometric pressure data fusion'', has allowed a significant advancement in reconstructing the vertical displacement of the center of mass during daily activities using inertial and environmental pressure sensors through advanced sensor fusion techniques, thus overcoming  previous technological limitations. Thanks to the recognition received, the work will undergo a fast-track review process for publication in the prestigious Journal of Biomechanics.       Anyone who need more information can send an email to andrea.cereatti@polito.it.  

In Novara, a full day divided into four sessions to esplore innovative solutions in the field of regenerative medicine, marked not only by the presence of a large number of young researchers in the audience but also by the participation of international guests.    The academy dedicated to regenerative medicine took place on October 10, 2024, at the ''Gaudenzio Cattaneo'' Auditorium in Novara. The event was organized by professor Francesca Boccafoschi, , full professor of Human Anatomy and Scientific Coordinator of the flagship project ''INNDIANA'' of the Spoke 5 of NODES.  The academy concluded with great satisfaction among participants, confirming the crucial role of advanced training initiatives in the professional development and growth of students, PhD candidates, researchers and professionals in the field, also used in industry.    The initiative provided a unique opportunity to explore innovative solutions in the field of regenerative medicine, with a particular focus on the use of stem cells and their reprogramming, advanced biomaterials, and new therapeutic approaches.  The contributions of experts from prestigious European universities and Italian research institutes enriched the program, offering an international and multisciplinary vision. Thanks to their expertise, the sessions covered topics ranging from the challenges of basic research to clinical applications, fostering discussions on topics of great relevance.    <<Due to the progressive changes in the population, a global phenomenon that is certainly prominent within Italy as well  - stated Professor Boccafoschi -, regenerative medicine has become increasingly important in the last decade, confirmed by the interest in science and research as well as strong market trends from companies operating in the biomedical sector. It was an important day for all of us, not only due to the presence of a large number of young researchers in the audience, who needed to learn about new fields of science application, but also because they had international guests, which have strengthened existing partnerships with UPO and created new ones>>.   The feedback collected from participants highlights the success of the initiative and the added value brought by the highly interactive, in-person sessions. Particular appreciation was given to the focus on attendees' opinions, the quality of the hospitality, and the enthusiasm shown by the speakers, emphasizing the importance of informal discussions between espertx and young researchers. The academy also stimulated suggestions for improving future editions, such as extending the time allocated for debates with the experts.     Watch the video summary of the day: Click here   

New perspectives on Fe(III)-based MRI contrast agents: NODES researcher awarded for innovative research on iron-based contrast agents.   During the ''13th conference on Fast Field Cycling NMR Relaxometry'', held in Palermo from September 10th to 13th, an important award was given to Dr. Alessandro Nucera of the University of Piemonte Orientale, a researcher of the group of Professor Mauro Botta.  His presentation entitled ''Relaxometric investigations of Fe(III)-based complexes as T1-weighted Contrast Agents'', was awarded by the Royal Society of Chemistry as the best oral presentation (RSC Award Under 35). The work, evaluated by an international jury of experts, focuses on the study of Fe (III) complexes as potential paramagnetic probes for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), offering a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to the commonly used gadolinium complexes. This research is contextualized in the activities of Spoke 5 - Health Industry and Silver Economy and more in detail in the macro-area of innovative and sustainable diagnostics.     

UNINIGHT 2024 at the Royal Museumes of Torino UNINIGHT took place on Septmber 27th and 28th, 2024, in Torino, as well as across Europe, inviting everyone to come together to celebrate the European Researchers' Night. It was an immersive experience in the world of research, aimed at encouraging active participation in the scientific process, with the goal of showcasing research outcomes and helping people undersrand their impact on our daily lives.    The challenges of engineering for health  Among the 250 activities offered, researchers from NODES at the PolitoBIOMED Lab have prepared a challenge for both adults and children consisting of three games related to three Research Module of the TINCARE and INNDIANA projects: home respiratory ventilation, wearable sensors and nanotechnology.  The proposed challenge was very successful and provided an opportunity for older participants to learn about the activities conducted in NODES research, while younger ones could engage in physical, logical, and memory activities to earn a spot in the Night's Hallo of Fame.     

On Saturday, September 28th, the University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO) took part in the second edition of Health Festival in Novara, an initiative promoted by the ASL and the Municipality of Novara. The event took place in front of the Sant'Agabio Parish and featured the participation of the NODES group, the Aging project, UPO BIOBANK-Novara Cohort Study and the Sant'Agabio's pharmacies.  These groups shared the results of their research with the general public and highlighted their impact on public health, promoting scientific outreach.    Among the activities offered, the INNDIANA and TINCARE project team illustrated the social impact of innovation and sustainability initiatives through practical demonstrations aimed at improving the care of vulnerable individuals. The high participation and 100% of satisfaction recorded through a survey confirmed the success of the initiative, encouraging the researchers to participate in future editions of the Festival.  Games were the key element in engaging the public, making the activity attractive not only for adults and elderly people interested in the topics presented, but also to children and young people eager to explore scinece in an interactive way. This approach helped create a calm and stimulating atmosphere, fostering dialogue and curiosity on a peaceful Saturday afternoon. Moreover, the initiative represented an important moment of connection between the university and the community, providing valuable tools for the prevention and promotion of public health. 

The Metaverse enables new possibilities for remote monitoring and treatment of patients through the use of innovative devices such as Head-Mounted Display.    The 3D LAB of the Department of Management and Production Engineering at the Polytechnic of Torino and the Department of Human Anatomy of the University of Torino have developed a virtual reality (VR) Platform integrated into the Metaverse for remote monitoring of users' cognitive status. This technology aims to enable the evaluation of cognitive fucntions through immersive activities in real time.   The system collects test results, providing doctors with detailed information on users' cognitive abilities and highlighting any critical findings. This approach allows for remote cognitive assessments, reducing the need for face-to-face visits and offering a cost-effective option for continuous monitoring in order to achieve personalized and participatory medicine.  An experiment was conducted to validate the use of VR in non-pathological subjects. The 42 participants provided extremely positive feedback on the involvement and usability, and highlighted areas of improvement in kinetics that will be the focus of future research for use by patients. 

On September 17th,2024, the event ''Showcase of NODES' project: Pitch & Poster Session'' took place at the Bioindustry Park Silvano Fumero SpA, a day that represented a real springboard for innovation and strategic synergies.   Organized in collaboration with BioPmed, partner of Spoke 5, the event highlighted the Proof of Concept (PoC) developed through the NODES project's cascade calls.    The event was a unique showcase for grant recipients, providing a platform for sharing both industrial and academic Proof of Concept (PoC).   During the Pitch Session dedicated to industrial PoC, partecipants presented progress made in their projects, highlighting the technological innovation achieved with the support of the NODES project. Each presentation demonstrated how collaboration between the industrial and academic sectors can lead to concrete market solutions, as well as the potential transformative impact on crucial sectors, from biomedicine to advanced biotechnology.    In parallel, the Poster Session gave space to accademic PoC. researchers from universities and research centers presented their results through posters, attracting great interest and attention from visitors. This section showed the value of academic research in developing new technologies and practical applications to build future centered around sustainable innovation.    The event achieved its main objectives: promoting innovation, facilitating the creation of new collaborations, and expanding the network among companies, universities, and healthcare institutions. The participant of key stakeholders contributed to fostering strategic synergies, providing opportunities for growth and innovation in the biotechnology field.  With strong attendance and dynamic interactions, the meeting reaffirmed the crucial role of NODES in supporting the development of cutting-edge technologies and facilitating connections between the industrial and academic worlds. 

The company IngeniArs S.r.l. has been delivered the devices to the TINCARE researchers for use in the INTERCOACH study, which will assess the feasibility of a nurse-managed telemonitoring intervention for patients discharged from the hospital after heart failure.  The TINCARE researchers have completed their training to use the remote telemonitoring platform and they are ready to begin recruiting the first patients. The INTERCOACH study will officially start in the coming weeks.     The telemonitoring platform allows the nurse to remotely monitor the patient's vital signs, as well as to send them questionnaires or initiate a telehealth conditions require it.  The patient will receive a smartphone connected to devices that allow the detection of weight, blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen saturation.  On the scheduled day and time, the patient will receive an audible signal that will remind him to proceed with the detection of the required parameters. The nurse and clinicians from the Maggiore della Carità University Hospital in Novara who have discharged the patient, will be able to access the platform and monitor the individual's health status, allowing for prompt intervention if necessary.   The patient may interact with the nurse asking for device or clarification about positive lifestyles and behaviors to prevent relapse of disease. 

NODES - Spoke 5 sostiene l'iniziativa "Fabbriche Aperte Piemonte" grazie alla partnership con bioPmed.   Lo Spoke 5 è lieto di annunciare il suo supporto all'iniziativa "Fabbriche Aperte Piemonte", promossa e organizzata dalla Regione Piemonte che si terrà giovedì 24, venerdì 25 e sabato 26 ottobre. Quest'evento, giunto alla sua quinta edizione, rappresenta un'opportunità straordinaria per il pubblico di visitare i luoghi della produzione industriale nel territorio piemontese. Negli anni, "Fabbriche Aperte Piemonte" ha attratto oltre 21.500 visitatori, offrendo un'esperienza diretta nei processi produttivi manifatturieri delle aziende partecipanti. Questo evento non solo promuove la trasparenza e l'apertura delle industrie, ma rafforza anche il legame tra le imprese e la comunità locale.   La partnership tra lo Spoke 5 e bioPmed è fondamentale per sostenere questa iniziativa, che mira a valorizzare l'innovazione e l'eccellenza nel settore industriale piemontese e contribuisce a promuovere lo sviluppo economico e tecnologico della regione, facilitando l'accesso ai suoi stabilimenti e ai suoi processi produttivi. Le aziende interessate sono invitate a partecipare a "Fabbriche Aperte Piemonte" aprendo le porte dei loro stabilimenti per condividere la loro storia, i loro successi e le loro pratiche industriali con il pubblico.   Le manifestazioni di interesse devono essere presentate entro il 20 luglio 2024, attraverso il modulo disponibile su https://lnkd.in/dAFv8PEa.   Questa è un'opportunità unica per le imprese piemontesi di mostrare la loro innovazione e il loro impegno verso la trasparenza industriale.