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L'approvazione da parte del Comitato Etico segna l'avvio ufficiale della fase sperimentale del progetto.    L'invecchiamento sano rappresenta una sfida cruciale per la società moderna, con una crescita dei costi pubblici stimata fino al 28,3% del PIL italiano entro il 2040. Il progressivo declino delle capacità motorie e cognitive nella popolazione anziana richiede strategie innovative; tra queste, la realtà virtuale (VR) si sta affermando come strumento promettente grazie alla sua capacità di creare ambienti immersivi, migliorando coinvolgimento, memoria, attenzione e problem-solving, oltre ad offrire anche benefici psicosociali, riducendo isolamento e depressione.    In questo contesto, il progetto ''VR-AGEWISE'' mira ad esplorare l'uso di dispositivi di visualizzazione avanzata per valutare l'efficacia dell'utilizzo della VR su soggetti anziani. Gli obiettivi principali sono: misurare l'impatto su funzioni cognitive e motorie, analizzare usabilità e accettabilità della tecnologia, confrontare giovani e anziani sui benefici cognitivi e fisici e studiare longitudinalmente l'effetto sull'andamento del declino cognitivo.    La recente approvazione ottenuta dal Comitato Etico segna l'avvio ufficiale della fase sperimentale del progetto. Questa campagna si baserà sull'impiego delle tecnologie digitali identificate e sviluppate nei primi due anni di lavoro, con l'obiettivo di testarne l'efficacia in modo sistematico. In particolare, l'attenzione sarà rivolta alla realtà virtuale (VR), valutandone i benefici attraverso un confronto diretto tra differenti coorti di partecipanti, giovani e anziani. Verranno analizzati diversi parametri cognitivi e motori per comprendere meglio come l'età influenzi la risposta alla tecnologia.  Oltre a misurare gli effetti delle attività in VR, lo studio si propone di raccogliere feedback qualitativi e quantitativi dei partecipanti, informazioni fondamentali per perfezionare e ottimizzare l'usabilità delle soluzioni proposte. L'obiettivo finale è massimizzare l'impatto positivo delle tecnologie digitali sulla qualità della vita, promuovendo un loro impiego diffuso e consapevole all'interno della società contemporanea.      

Una tappa significativa e densa di idee, ispirazione e concretezza ha animato il Rettorato dell’Università del Piemonte Orientale il 14 aprile, in occasione dell’evento “Impresa e Innovazione: la Primavera della Salute e della Silver Economy”, organizzato dallo Spoke 5 del progetto NODES nell’ambito del Roadshow dedicato alle imprese finanziate dai bandi a cascata.   L'iniziativa, finanziata dal MUR attraverso il PNRR e i fondi NextGenerationEU, ha acceso i riflettori sulle soluzioni innovative e sviluppate da imprese e ricercatori per affrontare le sfide della sanità moderna con un focus su digitalizzazione, intelligenza artificiale, tecnologie biomedicali e medicina personalizzata.    Dopo i saluti istituzionali del Magnifico Rettore Prof. Menico Rizzi e del Prof. Marco Invernizzi, Project Manager dello Spoke 5, il pubblico ha potuto conoscere i primi risultati dei flagship projects INNDIANA e TINCARE, rispettivamente illustrati dalle ricercatrici dott.ssa Elena Canciani e dott.ssa Ines Basso e una panoramica sui bandi a cascata, strumenti fondamentali per il sostegno all’innovazione nelle imprese presentata dalla dott.ssa Chiara Caucino, Junior Innovation Manager & Business Development del BioIndustryPark.   Grande attenzione è stata riservata ai progetti finanziati dai bandi a cascata: in pitch di 4 minuti ciascuno, le imprese hanno presentato con entusiasmo i loro risultati e prototipi, spaziando dalla robotica assistiva alla telemedicina, dalla nutraceutica per la longevità fino alle nanotecnologie applicate all'oncologia.    L'evento ha confermato la forza dell'ecosistema NODES nel creare sinergie tra mondo accademico, impresa e territorio, e nel sostenere lo sviluppo di tecnologie al servizio della persona, della prevenzione e della qualità della vita.    Continuate a seguire il progetto NODES e lo Spoke 5 per scoprire le prossime novità sul fronte della salute e dell'innovazione.   

The Ethics Committees of Ospedale Maggiore della Carità in Novara (coordinating center), Auxologico in Piancavallo (VB), Ospedale Molinette in Torino, Ospedale San Luigi Gonzaga di Orbassano (TO) and Politecnico di Torino have given a favourable opinion on the conduct of the MOVEWISE study in each centre.   The Ethics Committes are independent bodeis that guarantee the protection of the rights, safety and well-being of people involved in scientific research. In italy, any study involving human participants must be evaluated to ensure compliance with fundamental principles, such as those established by the Declaration of Helsinki and the Oviedo Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine. This process guarantees that research is conducted ethically, transparently and safely for all participants. The Territorial Ethics Committees of the five centers involved in the MOVEWISE project have approved the study protocol aimed at developing a wearable system to monitor mobility parameters most closely associated with fall risk in everyday life. The study includes the recording of signals from wearable sensors in cohorts of sixty patients affected by multiple sclerosis (Ospedale Maggiore della Carità and San Luigi Gonzaga), Parkinson’s disease (Auxologico di Piancavallo), and vestibular disorders (Ospedale Molinette), as well as twenty healthy controls (Politecnico di Torino).    

On March 28th, 2025, the Stakeholder Committee of Spoke 5 met virtually to take stock of the progress of the spoke. Here the main points discussed:    Spoke 5 and the objectives of the Stakeholder Committee:  The project manager of Spoke 5, prof. Marco Invernizzi, introduced the NODES project, highlighting the key role of the Stakeholder Committee in defining the objectives and goals of the project, as well as supporting strategic decisions and scientific collaborations.    Flagship Projects: The progress of the flagship projects INNDIANA and TINCARE were presented, in line with the project's timeline and with significant results in terms of scientific publications, studies approved by the Ethics Committee and patent development.   Proof of Concept:  Particular attention was given to the PoCs, both academic and industrial. The high demand for funding exceeded available resources, confirming the strong interest in the themes of Spoke 5. The vast majority of the projects are still ongoing, also in base of the extension requests that were received and approved by the Evaluation Committee. All the projects (both Academic and Inudstrial PoC) financed in the first and second cut-off have successfully passed the mid-term review, both from an administrative, accounting and scientific perspective.    Roadmap: Dr. Anrò of the bioPmed innovation cluster showed the update of the Roadmap, in line with NODES timeline. After an initial draft developed in M3, based on the Intelligent Specialization Strategy (S3) of the Piedmont Region, a final version was launched in  M18 thorugh an online survey aimed addressed to companies.  Now, in M30, the Roadmap is being updated based on the results obtained from the flagship projects and both academic and industrial PoCs, with the aim of integrating new evidence and guiding the next strategic actions.    Events 2025:  In 2025, several events are planned to promote the results of the NODES project:  April: business event for the presentation of projects and first results. (14 aprile 2025 - Vercelli) May: meeting on Academic PoC, with the aim of attracting potential investors. September: participation in the European Researchers' Night. End of the year: HUB NODES concluding events, focusing on the project’s closure and future perspectives.     The concluding discussion highlighted the participants' support for Spoke 5 acivities, confirming their continued interest in NODES initiatives and their future prospects. 

How can telemedicine interventions help improve care for patients with heart failure and their caregivers?    Currently, it is estimated that more than 64 million people worldwide are affected by heart failure, a number that continues to grow. This increase is linked both to the aging population and to advances in disease management, which, however, are making the condition increasingly complex. As a result, individuals living with heart failure require daily support from a key figure: the caregiver. This role can be fulfilled by a partner, a child, a relative or someone close to the patient.    The link between patient and caregiver is so close that they become a single unit of analysis, defined as ''dyad'': any significant change - social, economic of health - that affects one of the two members inevitably ah an impact on the other. International guidelines have long emphasized the importance of a dyadic approach in the management of heart failure, a principle that also applies to telemedicine interventions.  In recent years, telemedicine has taken on an increasingly important role, proving to be a valuable ally in providing care and supporting caregivers, even in the context of heart failure. With the rapid development of new devices, delivery methods and field of application, it is essential to take stock of where we are and what scenarios lie ahead.  Within the Research Module 1 of the TINCARE flagship projects, Dr. Cristian Vairo and Dr. Ines Basso, under the supervision of Prof. Alberto Dal Molin, are conducting an in-depth study on the role of remote interventions in supporting the patient-caregiver with heart failure. The aim is to understand how telemedicine can improve disease management, optimise care and reduce caregiver burden.    

Favorable opinion obtained from the Territorial Ethics Committee (CET) of the Ospedale Maggiore della Carità in Novara on the protocol for the clinical study focused on the potential beneficial effects of the new Class I Medical Device, DZero.    On December 20th, 2024, Research Module 2 of the TINCARE flagship project achieved a significant milestone to move forward with research activities related to the new wearable device, DZero. This important step marks the beginning of an innovative project aimed at exploring the effectiveness of a smart fabric containing nanoceramic particles to improve the quality of life of patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain.   The pre-post study design aims to evaluate the impact of the DZero T-shirt on patients' quality of life, focusing on musculoskeletal pain in the lumbar and cervical area before and after wearing DZero. Among the secondary objectives, the study will examine perceived well-being, comfort and pain reduction during normal daily activities.    DZero represents a significant innovation in the field of medical devices. Utilizing FIR (Far Infrared Radiation) technology, this intelligent tissue uses nano-ceramic particles to improve microcirculation, reduce inflammation and promote muscle relaxation. It is a non-invasive solution that potentially offers an effective alternative for the management of musculoskeletal pain, assuming an improvement in patients' quality of life without the use of medication.  The project will be carried out in a single-centre mode at the SS Antonio e Biagio e Cesare Arrigo University Hospital of Alessandria. data collection will take place in multiple phases, monitoring the effectiveness of the device over time.     The DZero study offers new perspectives for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, representing a step forward in the search for innovative and sustainable solutions for human well-being.

The tenth edition off Meet in Italy for Life Sciences (MIT4LS), the reference event for networking between research, innovation and enterprise, organized by the National Technological Cluster Life Sciences ALISEI at Palazzo Lombardia, Milan, ha concluded. This year the focus was on the opportunities offered by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), a crucial instrument for supporting investments in research and development and for strengthening skills in the life sciences sector.     From research to Business: the state of art  To date, €9 billion have been allocated to accelerate innovation and technology transfer. These resources have enabled the creation of: 5 National Research Centers, focused on gene therapies, supercomputing and big data, agritech, biodiversity and sustainable mobility;  11 Innovation Ecosystem, which promote technology transfer on a regional scale;  14 Partenariati di Ricerca at national level;  6.500 researchers recruited (9.000 including research fellow).  Advantages, Challenges and future prospects were the focus of round table and in-depth discussion, to which they contributes for the NODES - Nord Ovest Digitale e Sostenibile:  Marco Invernizzi, PM Spoke 5 and Francesca Boccafoschi, TTO manager and coordinator of the flagship project INNDIANA Vittorio Trifari, Daniele Conti e Giuseppe Isu, representatives of the companies benefiting from PNRR cascade funding.  The real challenge now is to give continuity and tangible results from the progress made. The innovation in the Life Sciences sector is a strategic asset for the country's future. The future of building now.  Press release

Eye tracking is a technology that records eye movements to analyze where and how a person focuses their visual attention.    Eye tracking is a cutting-edge technology with applications across multiple fields and proves particularly valuable for enhancing user interaction in applications designed for congitive testing. By tracking eye movements - such as fixations (moments when the eye pauses at the specific point) and saccades (rapid movement of the eye between two points) - eye tracking enables the collection of detailed data on users' visual behavior.  In the context of cognitive test applications, this data helps assess key aspects such as attention level, distribution of visual focus, cognitive load, and emotional engagement during task execution. These insights are crucial to understanding how users interact with the test and to identify any difficulties or distractions the could affect their performance.     The integration of eye tracking in cognitive applications offers numerous advantages. For instance, the technology can be used to dynamically adapt test content based on the user's observed visual behavior. If the user shows signs of cognitive overload - such as increased pupil dilation or erratic eye movement - the application could reduce task complexity or suggest breaks to support recovery. Conversely, if the look indicates low interaction or inattention, the system can introduce more stimulating elements to help maintain focus. In addition, the data collected can be used to build personalized cognitive profiles, enabling the monitoring of changes in cognitive abilities over time and comparing individual performance with standardized benchmarks.    From the user's perspectives, the eye tracking integration helps make the overall experience more intuitive and natural. Users no longer need to provide explicit input via mouse or keyboard, as the application can respond directly to their eye movements. This feature is especiallly important for individuals with motor disabilities, for whom eye tracking an effective means of interacting with digital environments. In addition, the automation and real-time analysis of visual data improve the fluidity of the experience, reducing frustration and icreasing confidence in the use of the tool.  

NODES continues to support the SMEs receiving funding (Line A and Line B) by offering tailored strategic guidance in the fields of health and ageing, thorugh a direct dialogue with experts from the BioPmed cluster.   Results of the third session Following previous reports which highlighted projects distinguished by their interest in end-user research and internationalisation, this third session supported four new projects:  YOGA  DPLaBs IAMSH DCAre During the meetings, particular attention was given to: Networking: the projects worked to create strategic networks, identifying industrial and commercial partners to initiate collaborations for pilot projects. This process of research and engagement aimed to promote the practical application of the proposed solutions and their market positioning.  Fundraising: the companies were supported in exploring public and private funding opportunities, essential for supporting technological development, project validation and marker entry.  Looking ahead  These meetings have provided companies with concrete tools to face market challenges, enhancing their capacity to innovate and grow. 

NODES continues its efforts to support SMEs that received funding through the cut-offs by offering personalised 1to1 consulting services. These sessions provides a unique opportunity for companies to engage directly with experts from the BioPmed cluster and receive tailored strategic guidance.    Results of the second session After the first report (available at the following link) which explored the interest of certain projects towards end-user research, this second session covered four other innovative projects: Pocus AI ROBO-HOSPITAL REMEDIO CaReMaM During the 1to1, the following topics were explored in depth:  Internationalisation: the session helped companies to define targeted strategies for strengthening their presence at trade frais, establishing contacts with international partenrs and expanding their global network.  Fundraising: with the support of experts, beneficiaries are exploring opportunities for both public and private funding, which is crucial to project scalability and growth.  These actions represent significant steps towards ensuring the success of projects in highly competitive contexts, offering innovative solutions in their respective fields of application and NODES will continue to share the outcomes of these initiatives, highlighting the contribution of each projects and promoting collaboration among its beneficiaries.    Next news:  The report of 1to1 activities will continue with a last dedicated news, in which further projects and the results of the last session will be highlighted.   Stay tuned to find out how NODES continues to value innovation and to promote collaboration among its beneficiaries. 

Global aging represents an increasing challenge for healthcare systems, requiring innovative solutions to improve the quality of life for the elderly. As part of the collaboration with the TINCARE flagship project of NODES - specifically regarding the wearable technology used in RM3 - a study has been launched at the RSA Belletti Bona in Biella to assess the acceptability of wearable devices among guests.     The project, led by Dr. Erika Bassi with the supervision of Prof. Alberto Dal Molin and Prof. Massimo Canonico, uses smartbadge-type device equipped with advanced sensors such as accelerometers and gyroscopes to monitor real-time parameters related to mobility, sedentary lifestyle and fall prevention. The data collected are processed using machine learning algorithms, offering a detailed view of the guests' motor patterns, including step entropy, useful for identifying early risk signals.    The study adopts a mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative analysis. While numerical data provide information on the use and effectiveness of devices, semi-structured interviews with guests allow to explore aspects related to comfort, usability and perception of the usefulness of the devices.    The expected outcomes will help to optimise the adoption of wearable technologies in RSA, improving security and promoting more active lifestyles. This project represents a significant step towards personalised and innovative care for the elderly. 

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.