The new Multidisciplinary Clinic for the Management of Chronic Orofacial Pain is now active.

Established through a collaboration between the Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Sciences at UniTS and ASUGI (the local healthcare services), this innovative service aims to provide an integrated and highly specialised approach for patients suffering from this debilitating condition.

The clinic involves the Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry Department, led by Professor Roberto Di Lenarda, and the Psychiatry Department, led by Professor Umberto Albert.

Chronic orofacial pain presents a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, particularly given the growing demand for effective and coordinated patient care. This type of pain severely impacts the quality of life and daily activities of those affected.

To effectively address this complexity, the new clinic relies on a multidisciplinary team of specialists, including dentists with expertise in oral medicine and psychiatrists, who work in synergy to provide patients with a personalised and comprehensive treatment pathway.

The service is available at the Maxillofacial Surgery and Dentistry Department (Ospedale Maggiore, Oral Medicine and Pathology Clinic, 1st floor, Staircase G, Room No. 6) and can be accessed by appointment through ASUGI’s official channels. 

For further information, citizens can contact +39 040 399 2102.

The loss of genetic diversity exposes many species to a higher risk of extinction, making them more vulnerable to ongoing environmental changes. However, the good news is that effective strategies can be implemented to counteract this phenomenon, and we can all play a role in supporting them.

This is the key finding of a study conducted by a team of 57 scientists from 20 countries, who analysed over 80,000 scientific papers published in the last thirty years. Their research synthesises evidence of genetic diversity loss in 628 species (including animals, plants, fungi, and chromists) across terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The study, published in the prestigious journal Nature (read the article), highlights a concerning decline in genetic variability across many species: a crucial factor for their resilience and ability to adapt to environmental changes.

Among the study’s authors is Chiara Manfrin, a zoologist and researcher at the University of Trieste’s Department of Life Sciences, who contributed to the analysis of genetic variability loss in aquatic species. ‘This was a meticulous process of data collection and filtering, as many studies did not meet the minimum requirements for genetic information and were therefore excluded from the dataset,’ explains Manfrin. ‘My role involved analysing the selected articles using a keyword-based approach.’

‘Each researcher,’ she continues, ‘contributed their dataset to a global collection of genetic data essential for assessing genetic diversity loss. Specifically, I focused on studies concerning aquatic fauna.’

The study revealed that genetic diversity loss is more pronounced in species facing significant environmental pressures. Habitat destruction, urban expansion, intensive agriculture, the introduction of new diseases, the effects of natural disasters such as wildfires and floods, and direct human activities (including hunting and deforestation) are among the primary drivers. Populations with reduced genetic variability are more vulnerable and less able to adapt to new environmental conditions, increasing their long-term extinction risk.

However, the research also shows that conservation strategies can not only mitigate genetic diversity loss but even promote its recovery. Protecting natural habitats and maintaining connections between populations enable genetic exchange between different groups, strengthening their resilience. Targeted restocking with individuals from genetically diverse populations has already yielded positive results in numerous conservation projects.

Advances in genetic monitoring technologies, such as DNA sequencing and advanced data analysis, are providing increasingly precise tools for understanding biodiversity trends and implementing targeted conservation efforts.

The study also emphasises the importance of everyday actions that can help preserve genetic diversity. Protecting biodiversity starts locally, for example, by planting native species in gardens to support habitat connectivity and provide resources for pollinators, choosing traditional agricultural varieties to maintain genetic richness in the food system, or collaborating with conservation groups to protect endangered species. Even small actions, such as avoiding the unintentional transport of plants, seeds, or soil to new areas to prevent the spread of pests and diseases, can contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation.

For a broader, public-oriented overview of the study, The Conversation has published an in-depth article (read the article) explaining the research findings and their implications for biodiversity conservation.

UniTS will also contribute to the rich programme of events planned for Nova Gorica – Gorizia European Capital of Culture 2025 (https://www.go2025.eu/).

The year of events, a mix of music, art, nature and culture kicking off on 8th February, will also include the UniTS Gorizia Campus on Via d'Alviano.

Here we have provided a preview. [AR1] The Events section of UniTS portal will include all the news in the programme and details of the individual events.

27th – 28th March

• Interreg GO!

The European Commission has chosen the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Programme to host the ‘Interreg GO!’ event, which will bring together all the representatives of the active Interreg programmes, as well as representatives of the European Commission. It will be held between Gorizia and Nova Gorica, and special attention will be paid to young people active in associations and interested in European Territorial Cooperation. An event scheduled in the afternoon of Wednesday 26th March will be dedicated to these young people at the UniTS Gorizia Campus, in cooperation with the Department of Political and Social Sciences and the Bachelor’s Degree in International and Diplomatic Sciences.

31st March – 9th May

• GO!2025 Urban Center

Exhibition of educational, project and research outcomes of RRR Lab on Gorizia - Nova Gorica European Capital of Culture 2025

Studies and projects by Collettivo Colgo and Collettivo VAGO

The exhibition brings together the results obtained by RRR Lab (Laboratory of Architecture and Construction Integrated Design) in the last two academic years, in which the design, study and research themes on European Capitals of Culture were central, with a focus on the specific case of Gorizia - Nova Gorica. 

The exhibition showcases the highlights of two years of planning, punctuated by activities, seminars, workshops, conferences and projects for the two cities, as part of a single cross-border urban system. The cities have been preparing to become European Capital of Culture 2025 for the last few years, and will now have to reflect on the ‘after event’. 

• Presentation of the book ‘Il corpo della città. Telo mesto’ (The Body of the City. A Sad Veil) and panel to discuss the cross-border urban system Gorizia - Nova Gorica before, during and after the European Capital of Culture event. 

• Screening of the short film Corno/Koren. Memorie Sommerse (Submerged Memories). Collettivo Vago

• Conference 2024-25 GONGO, with the participation of about 250-300 students and lecturers from UniTS, the Polytechnic University of Milan, Federico II University of Naples and Salerno to talk about the GO!2025 project area, the two cities, the Transalpine Railway, the Nova Gorica railway station and the future of border areas.

• Presentation of the book ‘Mapping the city. Learning from ECOC’, the first systematic and comparative Italian study on cultural capitals from an architectural and urban point of view: legacies and possible futures.

4th April

• Meeting and exhibition on the figure of Otto von Habsburg, Europeanist

The meeting, organised with the Otto von Habsburg Foundation, will historically contextualise Otto con Habsburg’s character and the legacy of his work, which was strongly in favour of European integration. The speakers at the meeting will include Andrej Rahten, former ambassador of Slovenia to Austria and now professor of Contemporary History at the University of Maribor, and Enikö Györi, former ambassador of Hungary to Italy, as well as representatives from the European University Institute.  

26th-27th-28th May

• National Conference on Health Degrees

Health degree representatives from all over Italy will discuss the progress of the field and its training needs.

5th June, on World Environment Day

• Conference ‘Microplastics and Health’

Organised together with ASUGI (local healthcare services), the conference will bring together Italian nanoplastics experts who will discuss available data and challenges for the future. 

June (date to be confirmed) 

• GOSAFE meeting - Gorizia on ‘Safety culture between tradition and innovation’

Organised in cooperation with INAIL (Italian national institute for insurance against accidents at work), the meeting aims to discuss necessities in the field of health and safety and the implementation of the practice with various scholars.

10-13 September, 2025

International Botany Congress “Overcoming Barriers in Plant Science and Beyond”

Organized in Gorizia by the Italian Botanical Society, with the scientific collaboration of the Universities of Trieste and Udine and the Botanical Garden of Ljubljana, the 2025 International Botany Congress is dedicated to the theme of boundaries (biogeographical, between disciplines, between peoples) and their inevitable overcoming. The region of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Slovenia, historically places of meeting and conflict between two worlds (Mediterranean and Central European), two states (Italy and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, later Italy and Yugoslavia), and three major cultures (Italian, Germanic, Slavic), have always been a preferred route for the re-immigration of animal and plant species from the Balkans after the retreat of the glaciers. They have also been transit areas for peoples and are still today a gateway for migrants coming from increasingly distant countries. More than 350 researchers are expected, including many young ones, also from Eastern countries.

October

• Conference ‘From the Helsinki Final Act to Go!2025, Nova Gorica - Gorizia European Capital of Culture’

The meeting, organised in cooperation with the Italian and Slovenian Diplomatic Associations on leave, will retrace the path which across 50 years has changed a climate of political tension into a context of cooperation and open borders.

Date to be confirmed

• Presentation of the results of the Cross-border Survey on the perception of GO!2025 among young people 

As part of the taught course in Cross-border Relations and Local Development held by Prof. Moreno Zago, the students of the Master's Degree in International Diplomacy and Cooperation had the opportunity to design, administer and process in October-December 2024 a cross-border survey on GO!2025 Nova Gorica-Gorizia European Capital of Culture.

Specifically, the questionnaire was distributed to a sample of 415 young people living or studying in the two cities or in their hinterland with the aim of understanding how the event could be an opportunity for connection with places and peers from across the border. The questions also focused on the role of European institutions for young people, the feeling of belonging, the perception of young people from across the border, the role of the border, and the future of relations between the two cities.

 [AR1]I’m not sure what the format of the webpage will be. If it reads in a linear way like in the word document then this sentence is fine. If it’s more a case of clicking on various links in this section of the website I might change it to ‘in this section you will find a preview’. ? You might be able to come up with something better!!

World Cancer Day is observed on 4th February, promoted by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to raise awareness of the importance of prevention, early diagnosis, and scientific research in the fight against cancer. It is an opportunity to reaffirm the scientific community’s dedication to tackling a disease that remains one of the greatest global health challenges.

This year, we want to highlight that cancer research is not limited to the medical and clinical fields but involves a vast network of multidisciplinary expertise. Biologists, chemists, engineers, and computer scientists also contribute their knowledge to develop new prevention, diagnostic, and treatment strategies.

From studying the biological mechanisms behind tumour transformation to developing new drugs and biomarkers, and applying computational models to analyse genetic data and identify targeted therapies—science is exploring multiple avenues to combat cancer.

On this occasion, we share the diverse and complementary approaches in oncology research through the voices of UniTS researchers.

Giannino DEL SAL – Applied Biology, Department of Life Sciences

‘We study how cancerous cells communicate with the surrounding tissue, both in the early stages of the disease and during metastasis. We analyse how the signals exchanged in this communication promote tumour growth and enable cancer cells to resist therapies, helping us identify weak points to target.

In this project, we aim to gain a deeper understanding of the early phases, when a competition arises between transforming cells and healthy ones in an otherwise normal tissue. Understanding these dynamics will help us develop strategies to intervene earlier and more effectively against cancer.

Our goal is to provide tools to halt cancer in its earliest stages, or even prevent it entirely, as well as to improve treatment strategies for advanced disease and therapy-resistant cases.’

Sabrina PRICL – Chemical Engineering, Department of Engineering and Architecture

‘From high-performance computational design to in vivo experimentation, we collaborate with several international research teams to develop nanomedicines and nanocarriers for cancer diagnosis, therapy, and imaging.

Thanks to funding from AIRC, the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the European Commission, and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), we integrate in silico techniques with experimental validation to study oncogenes: altered genes that can drive uncontrolled cell growth and contribute to cancer development. This approach opens new avenues for the creation of more effective and targeted treatments.

Our next challenges? Enhancing treatment selectivity, reducing side effects, and translating our discoveries into widely accessible clinical solutions.’

Giulio CARAVAGNA – Computer Science, and Alice ANTONELLO – PhD in Applied Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Geosciences

‘In collaboration with the Aviano Cancer Research and Treatment Centre and San Raffaele Hospital in Milan, we have developed computational models to study the behaviour of certain leukaemias. The results we are finalising are highly promising, helping us clarify molecular mechanisms that drive disease progression over time.

This project, funded by an AIRC grant for researchers under 40, has also sparked new research questions: Can these tools be applied to other cancers? Can we use a systematic approach to characterise disease evolution over time and uncover vulnerabilities?’ (G. Caravagna)

‘In November 2024, I was awarded a three-year AIRC Italy Post-Doc Fellowship for PhD researchers. My project applies artificial intelligence methods to genomic data from DNA to study the relationship between specific mutations and exposure to mutagens—substances or factors that can cause DNA alterations.

This is a crucial first step in identifying risk factors linked to certain diseases and developing strategies to counteract their effects.’ (A. Antonello)

Backed by a PR FESR FVG research and development grant of nearly one million euros, the WINDS, Wing-Implemented Navigation for Decarbonized Shipping project has officially commenced, with the University of Trieste among its key participants.

What is the project about?

WINDS aims to design and implement an innovative system that integrates wind power into maritime propulsion, reducing fuel consumption and lowering pollutant emissions in the shipping industry.

The mareFVG cluster will lead project management and oversee the dissemination of results.

The role of UniTS

The University will conduct a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of the vessel involved in the project, following the ISO 14040 standard. LCA is a methodology used to assess the environmental impact of a product, process, or service throughout its entire life cycle.

With UniTS’s contribution, the project will:

• Optimise material selection and production phases wherever possible, reducing the system’s overall impact through a circular ecodesign approach.
• Demonstrate that the developed system complies with international regulations and sustainability targets for the decarbonisation of the maritime sector.
• Identify inefficiencies within the life cycle to lower operational costs and environmental impact, making the system even more attractive to industry operators.
• Lay the groundwork for future development of the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) at the European level, alongside industry-specific certifications and Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) – a third-party certification that allows for direct comparison of the environmental impact of similar products. In this case, the Wing Sail Module will be assessed against competing systems.

Finally, as one of the first LCA studies in the maritime sector, and certainly the first focused on wind propulsion technologies for decarbonisation, the research carried out by UniTS is expected to have far-reaching benefits for the entire industry.

Improving disaster response capacity to environmental disasters and climate change through cooperation between local authorities and rescue teams: this is the goal of the IN4SAFETY project, funded by the European Union under the Interreg Italy-Slovenia Program. The initiative, led by the Municipality of Ajdovščina (Slovenia) and supported by a budget of nearly 750,000 euros, will conclude on September 30, 2025, involving a broad cross-border partnership.

Project partners include the University of Trieste, with the Department of Engineering and Architecture, the Geodetic Institute of Slovenia, the Metropolitan City of Venice, the International Institute of Sociology in Gorizia, and the Firefighters of Nova Gorica. Associated partners include the Association of Slovenian Firefighters, the Health Center of Ajdovščina, the Municipality of Nova Gorica, the Civil Protection of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, the Municipality of Gorizia, and the Municipality of Duino Aurisina.

The project addresses the need for more coordinated action in managing climate and environmental emergencies in the cross-border area, particularly highlighted by the wildfires that affected the Carso in 2022. Through two joint action plans, the integration of territorial data into WebGIS geoportals, and joint training sessions for rescue units, IN4SAFETY aims to improve prevention and risk management at the regional level.

Among the most innovative solutions foreseen by the project is the creation of an emergency plan for aerial rescue, which integrates digital data on terrain and obstacles with existing WebGIS territorial platforms. The goal is to ensure faster and more efficient interventions in the event of natural disasters.

On January 30, a workshop for the IN4SAFETY project was held at the University of Trieste, bringing together project partners to present objectives and ongoing activities. After an introductory session, attended by the Italian Consul General in Koper, the afternoon featured a practical session dedicated to using QGIS software and analyzing Sentinel satellite images from the ESA COPERNICUS Project. Participants were able to deepen their knowledge of territorial monitoring techniques, thematic map creation, and emergency management using advanced digital tools.

UniTS continues to invest in the well-being of its student community by creating environments that better meet learning and study needs. A major refurbishment has just been completed in several classrooms in the H3 and H2bis buildings, making them more modern, accessible, and comfortable. This was achieved without disrupting teaching activities, thanks to careful planning of the work during break periods.

The renovations focused particularly on classrooms 1A and 1B, each with a capacity of 250 seats, which are used by first- and second-year Medicine and Dentistry students. These spaces have been partially refurbished and upgraded with new technology. Classroom 1C, which accommodates 81 students, has also undergone improvements.

To enhance accessibility and convenience, the electrical system has been restored to ensure the proper functioning of power sockets along the seating bars, allowing students to use their electronic devices easily during lectures.

At the same time, the refurbishment has had positive effects on other classrooms as well: the reuse of desks in excellent condition has improved the Morin classroom and classrooms 4A and 4B in the H2bis building. As a result, the capacity of the Morin classroom has increased from 144 to 177 seats, adding approximately 30 extra places.

The Open Innovation Day of the iNEST Consortium took place at the University of Padua, with the participation of the University of Trieste, leader of Spoke 8, featuring an address by Rector Roberto Di Lenarda and the presence of board members Maria Cristina Pedicchio and Pierluigi Barbieri from the Scientific Council.

The event held fundamental strategic importance, strengthening the ties between businesses and the nine universities and research institutes participating in the Consortium.

Among the most significant moments was the awarding of 40 companies from the Triveneto area  that excelled in their capacity to innovate processes and products. The central aim was to nurture the local innovation ecosystem by learning from business experiences and fostering the development of impactful projects in line with the Open Innovation paradigm.

Open Innovation is a model that encourages collaboration among businesses, universities, and other institutions, transcending traditional corporate boundaries to promote the exchange of knowledge and ideas. This paradigm represents an extraordinary opportunity to accelerate technology transfer and generate value for companies in Northeast Italy.

iNEST aims to build a strong bridge between academia and industry, pooling expertise and resources to tackle future challenges.

A research group from the University of Trieste has been actively participating in the Steering Committee Meeting of the Innovablue research project in Portorož, Slovenia. The Department of Economic, Business, Mathematical, and Statistical Sciences (DEAMS) is a partner in this initiative.

The Innovablue project, funded by the Interreg VI-B IPA Adriatic Ionian (ADRION) program, aims to support the development of the blue economy in the Adriatic-Ionian area by promoting innovative marine technologies and fostering a transnational collaboration network.

With a planned duration from July 2024 to December 2026 and a total budget of over €1.7 million, the project focuses on strengthening innovation capabilities through cooperation among key industry players.

DEAMS is actively involved in Work Package 1 – Innovation in the Blue Economy – and Work Package 2 – Regulatory Frameworks for Innovation. The department is currently working on updating the Map of Excellence from the Innovamare project and expanding it to include centers of excellence in the ADRION region. This involves integrating new blue economy stakeholders and testing sites for marine technologies such as underwater robotics and sensors.

The research team, comprising Guido Bortoluzzi (DEAMS), Alberto Dreassi (DEAMS), Rubina Romanello (DEAMS), Chiara Marinelli (DEAMS), Alberto Marinò (DIA), Vittorio Bucci (DIA), and Serena Bertagna (DIA), also provides support for the comparative analysis of existing regional and national regulations on blue technologies. Their goal is to identify regulatory obstacles and propose solutions to accelerate development and experimentation.

"After excellence projects like Innovamare and Blueair," comments Guido Bortoluzzi, professor of Business Economics and Management and coordinator of the Trieste working group, "UniTS is once again engaged in an international project on the blue economy. This highlights the role of our research in contributing to regional sustainable development and strengthens our relationships with key partners in the Balkan area."

The partnership network includes major institutions from the Adriatic-Ionian region, which spans 10 countries (only four of which are part of the European Union). Key partners include the Croatian Chamber of Economy, the Innovation Fund of Montenegro, Unioncamere Veneto, Technology Park Ljubljana Ltd., Ss. Cyril and Methodius University of Skopje (Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies), the Region of Crete, and the Innovation Center of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering in Belgrade.

During the meeting in Portorož, the partners engaged with the Faculty of Maritime and Transport at the University of Ljubljana and the Marine Biology Station in Piran to explore new research synergies. Additionally, discussions with project stakeholders took place to identify common priorities and initiatives.