•    Principal Investigator: Prof. Chiara Bedon
•    Department: Department of Engineering and Architecture
•    Call: Competitive procedure for the development of fundamental research activities of the Italian Science Fund (FIS), Directorial Decree of the MUR n. 2.281 of 28 September 2021
•    CUP: J53C23003050001
•    Host Institution: University of Trieste
•    UniTS Funding: €910,840
 

Abstract: Multilayer laminated glass (LG) components are largely used in buildings, for facade panels, windows, balustrades, slabs and stairs, roofs, under various loading and boundary configurations. Their typical application consists of minimum two glass plates bonded by polymeric interlayers, which are required to keep together glass fragments in case of failure, and thus to enhance safety for people. Compared to other materials for constructions, however, glass is relatively new and highly vulnerable. For this reason, simplified (and limited) calculation models and severely conservative design assumptions are used.

So far, knowledge is rather scarce for the assessment of early design stage performances and residual capacities in case of damage, and even more for in-service structures subjected to additional ageing or unfavourable operational conditions.

In this regard, HOPgLAz project will explore with extended experimental studies at the small- and full-scale the post-breakage parameters of LG components variably composed, loaded, restrained, and even exposed of ageing. Overall, the project will investigate the post-breakage response of various LG members representative of configurations of practical interest. These will include 3 major classes, such as (GC1) LG elements for balustrades, (GC2) windows / facades and (GC3) pedestrian systems, which are characterized by different cross-section parameters but especially load amplitude and time (i.e., crowd pressure for GC1, wind pressure / impact for GC2, walking paths for GC3).

The attention will focus on post-critical mechanical parameters. A novel holistic approach will be formulated on the base of experimental observations, with the support of Finite Element numerical simulations. The definition and reliability of non-destructive protocols to assess and quantify the residual stiffness and strength capacities of damaged LG components will be also explored. The use of anti-shatter films and fibre sensors will be addressed.

• Principal Investigator: Prof. Elena Ambrosetti
• Department: Department of Life Sciences
• Call: Competitive procedure for the development of fundamental research activities of the Italian Science Fund (FIS), Directorial Decree of the MUR n. 1236 of 8th August 2023
• CUP: B53C24009540001
• Host Institution: University of Trieste
• UniTS Funding: 1.322.384,80 €
• Abstract: Lipid rafts are nanoscale ordered membrane domains enriched in sphingolipids and cholesterol and play an important role in cell membrane trafficking and signal transduction by promoting the colocalization of membrane receptors, hence determining a defined receptor organization and modulating the signalling network. However, despite decades of research and investigations, existence and relevance of lipid rafts are still considered elusive. The aim of this project is to set up a DNA-nanotechnology-based multi-integrated platform for the analysis of membrane receptor nanoenvironments at the cell surface within lipid rafts, to shed light on their role in regulation of receptor clusterization. The method will combine a new approach, RepliSeq, which consists of DNA-based nanotechnology tool to decipher the nanoscale spatial organization of membrane proteins, with advanced biophysical (SPPi and NanoIR) and electron microscopy (EM and FIB) techniques. This  research program will provide new insights to obtain a novel molecular signature that predicts a selected membrane receptor status with greater accuracy and help to clarify crucial mechanisms involved in response and resistance to targeted therapy. The method will be developed by two different experimental approaches, entailing studies on artificial membranes and on cell membranes of model cell lines. As proof of concept, a specific membrane receptor target, Her2, is selected to demonstrate the feasibility of the integrated platform. Overexpression of Her2 in breast cancers confers high aggressiveness and poor prognosis but the clinical results suggest that Her2 protein levels are not sufficient to explain response to treatment. Our platform aims to study the different composition and spatial organization of the Her2 nanoenvironment, to understand the impact of potential increase of Her2 local density in lipid rafts, on Her2 oligomerization and on response to target therapy