The Italian Medicines Agency - AIFA has given the green light for the world's first clinical trial of the drug Mirtazapine in Rett Syndrome,  MirtaRett, after receiving approval from the national ethics committee for paediatric studies. 

The trial is coordinated by the University of Trieste and will be conducted in the main Italian referral hospitals for patients suffering from Rett Syndrome. It is entirely supported by non-profit grants, particularly the non-profit project ‘Angelini for future ’ from Angelini Pharma SpA, together with the Canali Onlus, Ico Falck Onlus and Amadei and Setti Onlus Foundations. The trial will be managed by the consortium for biological and pharmacological evaluations (Consorzio per Valutazioni Biologiche e Farmacologiche, CVBF), a non-profit organisation providing services for clinical research in Italy. 

The actual start of the trial will take about two months, during which UniTS, the coordinating centre, and the four clinical centres in Milan, Genoa, Siena and Messina, will set up the organisational machinery for the recruitment and treatment of the patients. The patients are exclusively female, as Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 girls and is the second most common cause of intellectual disability in females worldwide (Petriti et al. Systematic Reviews (2023) https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-023-02169).

The trial will involve a total of 54 patients aged between 5 and 40 years. They will be divided into three groups of 18 with varying age brackets (5-10, 11-17 and 18-40 years).

Rett syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by unpredictable mutations of the MECP2 gene in the reproductive cells (spermatozoa or oocytes) of completely healthy parents. Symptoms appear in the second year of life when girls begin to speak and walk, displaying rapid regression of speech and the inability to make voluntary hand movements. In later years, girls develop epileptic seizures and respiratory difficulties, which are the main cause of death. Many patients reach adulthood, albeit with severe physical and cognitive disabilities. 

Restoration experiments on the mutated gene conducted in animal subjects have demonstrated that the disorder can be completely reversed, but to date there is still no definitive cure. 

The project started in 2009, thanks to funding from Telethon, Fondazione San Paolo, Fondazione Casali, Beneficentia Stiftung and the parent associations AIRETT Onlus and ProRett Ricerca Onlus. Across15 years of study carried out in the laboratory directed by Prof. Enrico Tongiorgi at the Department of Life Sciences at the University of Trieste, abundant experimental evidence of Mirtazapine's efficacy in the recovery of certain symptoms has been collected. Further evidence in favour of the drug was then gathered through a retrospective investigation in collaboration with the Rett Reference Centre at Le Scotte Hospital in Siena, where the drug was administered as standard treatment for anxiety, repetitive behaviour and sleep disorders for a period of 1 to 5 years in 40 adult Rett patients. In addition to the beneficial effects the drug had on anxiety and sleep, the study also revealed it as being beneficial to slowing the progression of Rett syndrome, demonstrating improvements in some typical symptoms such as self-harm, irritability, motor difficulties and loss of communication skills. 

‘At the moment, no one has been able to test the effects of this drug in girls suffering from Rett syndrome yet,’ said Prof. Tongiorgi, ‘We therefore believe it is necessary to proceed with a rigorous clinical trial like the one proposed in the MirtaRett project. We have set ourselves the goal of keeping this project entirely in Italy, involving the main referral clinical centres. The trial will test the efficacy of the drug on general symptoms and in particular on motor skills, such as the use of the hand, the ability to communicate and on psychological disorders. We will also monitor the quality of sleep and the basic parameters of breathing and the heart, thanks to a new Italian-made smart T-shirt that we have tested, allowing us to make important discoveries on breathing defects in these patients.’ 
The study also involves monitoring the stress levels of caregivers and detecting biomarkers in the blood, such as neurotrophic factors, which are useful for assessing the effects of the drug on developmental recovery and plasticity of the nervous system.

Every clinical trial has high costs, but thanks to the non-profit nature of the project, it has been possible to reduce them considerably and, thanks to the generosity of donors, the hospitals in Messina, Milan and Siena will also be equipped with the instrumentation to conduct the actigraphy, and 54 smart T-shirts will be purchased. 

Centres and researchers involved in the experimentation:

Coordinator - Prof. Enrico TONGIORGI, Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste.
Partner 1 – Prof. Maria Paola CANEVINI, Dr. Ilaria VIGANÓ, ASST Ospedale Santi Paolo Carlo - Via di Rudinì 8; Milano; Prof. Aglaia VIGNOLI (MD) ‘Statale’ University of Milan.
Partner 2 – Prof. Lino NOBILI, Dr. Giulia PRATO – Department of Neuroscience, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics and Maternal and Child Sciences (DINOGMI), University of Genoa - Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Research Hospital, Giannina Gaslini Institute, Genoa.
Partner 3 – Dr. Salvatore GROSSO, Dr. Claudio DE FELICE – Rett Syndrome Research and Experimentation Centre - Paediatric/Neuropaediatric Unit, Mother and Child Department – Polyclinic ‘Santa Maria alle Scotte’, Siena.
Partner 4 – Prof. Gabriella DI ROSA, Dr. Antonio NICOTERA - ‘Gaetano Barresi’ Department of Human Pathology of Adults and the Age of Development, ‘G. Martino’University Polyclinic, University of Messina.

Giulia Piacente and Giulia Toscano, both graduates in Architecture, are the winners of the first edition of the ‘Fermeglia Prize’ for the best Master's thesis on the topics of energy, transport and the environment.

The €1,000 prize was presented by Professor Sabrina Pricl on behalf of the family of Maurizio Fermeglia, former Rector of the University of Trieste, who passed away prematurely in 2024.

The thesis ‘From Waterscape to Nautopia: Scenarios of Global Warming and Stories of Architecture, Spaces and Radical Habitats’ (Advisor prof. Thomas Bisiani) presents an imaginative and futuristic vision of cities on water.

Starting from a reflection on global warming and the consequent rise in sea levels, the two students conceived Nautopia, a floating village for 2,000 people. Partially submerged, it is designed to submerge further in bad weather and is surrounded by an artificial atoll to mitigate the impact of waves.

On the underwater level, a dedicated distribution grid allows for horizontal movement, is modular to expand or reduce spaces and includes a connection system linking the market, the commercial building and the cultural centre. The surface level is left open to allow navigation.

Movement between levels is made possible by lifting platforms, which enable vertical transport and the provision of energy, water and waste management systems.

Nautopia is self-sufficient in terms of food, water, energy and waste disposal, following a ‘zero waste’ approach in alignment with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda.

The ceremony was attended by Rector Roberto Di Lenarda and Alessandro Massi Pavan, Coordinator of the Giacomo Ciamician Interdepartmental Centre, which was involved in selecting the winning thesis project.

Creating materials that behave like living tissue is an ever closer prospect thanks to a University of Trieste – Keio University (Japan) study just published in Advanced Science.

The international research team that conceived the paper consists of Pierangelo Gobbo, Professor of Organic Chemistry at the Department of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences at UniTS, Prof. Taisuke Banno and PhD student Tomoya Kojima from Keio University.  

The scientists have developed an innovative method for assembling ‘prototissue’ fibres from microscopic vesicles, demonstrating how it is possible to synthesise materials that mimic the behaviour of human body tissue from scratch. The process exploits the adhesion between two types of oppositely charged vesicles, which are joined by ‘salt bridges’ acting as a kind of natural glue. 

The innovation has multiple applications and is likely to revolutionise various fields from 3D bioprinting and the design of engineered tissues to the development of soft robotics for the creation of flexible and adaptable devices inspired by living organisms. 

In the clinical field, for example, it will be possible to graft such synthetic fibres tissues in vivo to support sick living tissues. Notably, some of the prototypes developed are able to detect the presence of glucose and produce a fluorescent ‘signalling’ molecule. In future, these fibres could be engineered to produce insulin in response to increased glucose, meaning it could be applied in interesting ways in the treatment of diabetes. 

The fibres could also be engineered to respond not only to chemical but also physical stimuli, such as temperature or light, and, by combining them in bundles, obtain new ‘smart’ biomimetic materials for muscle tissue repair.

The study was funded by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, the European Research Council (Starting Grant PROTOMAT) and the Next Generation EU programme (NRPP PRIN project 3D-L-INKED).
 

In the Picture: Prof. Pierangelo Gobbo, UniTS

From today, the University of Trieste and the University of Udine are connected by a quantum link running over fibre optics.

This connection marks the beginning of an infrastructure that is expected to grow rapidly, aiming to become a model for both Italy and Europe. The result of a five-year study, it is one of the key objectives of the Quantum FVG project, coordinated by the University of Trieste and funded by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region.

The first milestone was the inauguration of the QCI Laboratory in 2024. Based at the CNR facility on the Basovizza campus within Area Science Park, the lab is dedicated to developing quantum solutions for the secure exchange of information.

The Rector of the University of Trieste, Roberto Di Lenarda, highlighted the significance of this initiative, stating that those leading technological development, in which quantum research plays a fundamental role, have the power to shape economic processes and contribute to a safer and fairer society. Through the Quantum FVG project and its future developments, the university aims to play a central role in this transformation by excelling in teaching, research, and technological innovation within this strategic field.

Similarly, the Rector of the University of Udine, Roberto Pinton, emphasised that quantum physics represents an important frontier of knowledge. He noted that, with the activation of this quantum link between Udine and Trieste, the universities of the region are making a significant contribution to research in this field. The technical expertise and experience gained over decades, dating back to the early days of the internet, have now enabled the creation of a system based on sophisticated and innovative technologies, positioning the region at the forefront of quantum communication in Italy.

The Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia has committed further funding through the 2025 Stability Law for a project called EQUIP-FVG (Extended Quantum Infrastructure Project for Friuli Venezia Giulia). This initiative will establish a permanent fibre-optic infrastructure for secure communication using quantum technology, with applications in maritime, port, and logistics operations. This experimental phase is part of a broader strategy to enhance cybersecurity and technological competitiveness. In the future, it will be extended to other critical infrastructures and cross-border projects, strengthening the security of the region’s entire logistics network and reinforcing Friuli Venezia Giulia’s leadership in strategically significant areas for the country. Regional Councillor for Labour, Education, Research, Universities, and Families, Alessia Rosolen, explained that this initiative represents one step in a wider regional effort.

In addition, Councillor for Information Systems, Sebastiano Callari, noted that this achievement has been made possible above all thanks to investments by the Region, which has developed the Regional Public Network (RPR). This fibre-optic network spans 1,600 km as a backbone and includes over 500 km of access networks in urban and industrial areas, connecting more than 1,300 public offices. For years, the regional administration has been working to improve and expand digital infrastructure, and quantum communication will now allow these networks to support highly secure applications between key nodes, including universities.

The quantum link between the two universities guarantees both security and stability. It allows for the generation of ultra-secure cryptographic keys to encrypt document exchanges, and it is not simply a demonstration of the technology. Instead, it is a permanent and stable connection, intended to be integrated into future operational services.

The University of Trieste and the University of Udine will continue collaborating to enhance its performance and integrate it into classical infrastructure such as the internet.

To establish the connection, both the acquisition of quantum communication equipment and the securing of the necessary fibre-optic network were required. The purchase of equipment was made possible thanks to the Quantum FVG project, supported by the Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Department for Labour, Education, Research, Universities, and Families. The fibre-optic infrastructure, on the other hand, was provided with the support of the Department for Public Assets, State Property, General Services, and Information Systems. 

A key role was played by LightNet, which will also be responsible for the technical management of the infrastructure.

This quantum link is part of a broader vision. The Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, through the QuFree project, has allocated additional funds to explore quantum communication via free-space optics, the equivalent of radio links, instead of using fibre optics. The goal is to secure communications for recipients who cannot be connected via fibre, such as ships.

Finally, preparations are underway for a European project that will extend the quantum network eastward to include Slovenia.

In the photo: a shot from the presentation of the conference at the University of Trieste

A study has just been published in the international scientific journal Science of the Total Environment, which involved measuring mercury levels in the hair of fisherman and people working in the fishing industry in the Marano and Grado lagoon, one of the largest in Europe. 

The study was conducted by Luca Cegolon (UCO of Hygiene and Preventive Medicine of UniTS) in collaboration with Giuseppe Mastrangelo (University of Padua), the MercuRILab research group of the University of Trieste (directed by Stefano Covelli) and UniTS’s Occupational Medicine Department (directed by Francesca Larese Filon). 

The Marano and Grado lagoon was identified as a Site of National Interest (SNI) due to contamination from centuries-old mercury ore (cinnabar) from the Soča/Isonzo river draining into the Idria mining district in Slovenia (the second largest natural deposit in the world after Almaden in Spain). Inorganic forms of mercury were also present in the contamination, and came from uncontrolled industrial discharge. 

In the eastern sector of the lagoon, at the mouth of the Isonzo river, previous studies detected mercury concentrations of up to 11 mg/kg in sediments, gradually decreasing to 5 mg/kg in the central area and 0.7 mg/kg in the western sector. 

While the contamination of the eastern sector of the Lagoon was mainly attributable to mercury of mineral origin (cinnabar or mercury sulphide) from the Isonzo river, the mercury detected near the mouth of the Aussa-Corno river had an inorganic component, of industrial origin. 

The investigation by the University of Trieste, carried out in early 2024 in Marano Lagunare, compared the concentration of mercury in the hair of 73 fishermen (32 from the open sea, 30 from the lagoon and 11 mixed) and 83 local residents working in the fishing industry, with 93 residents from the Belluno area (mainly farmers). The survey focused on this group of people as they inevitably have greater access and availability to fish consumption than the general population. Residents from a mountainous area were chosen as the comparison category for the opposite reason. 

The average level of mercury detected in fishermen (2.56 mg/kg) and workers of the industry (2.31 mg/kg) was significantly higher than that of farmers in the Dolomites (0.58 mg/kg) and increased with the consumption of local fish, particularly fresh fish. An increase was also detected in categories such as fishermen, fish sellers or restaurateurs.

Although these values are slightly above the limit (2 mg/kg) recommended by the World Health Organisation, these concentrations are still well below 11.5 mg/kg, the limit below which no adverse effects on human health have been observed to date. The current situation, therefore, can be considered balanced, and does not contraindicate the consumption of fish from the lagoon. This is also true since fish carries selenium, a chemical element which offsets the effects of mercury. However, it is recommended that pregnant women and growing children limit their consumption of fresh fish to no more than one meal per week.

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 University of Trieste has been fitted out with a new ‘Simulated Pharmacy’ laboratory, which will be available to students from the integrated master’s degrees in Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology.

This type of laboratory, which can be found in only three other universities in Italy, will enable students to carry out exercises extremely useful for their entry into the world of work. This is in line with growth in the pharmacist profession in recent years and new healthcare services provided by local pharmacies. The aim is to supplement the theoretical courses in the 4th and 5th years of Pharmacy and PCT programmes with practical experience in the field.

The Laboratory is a physical space, equipped like a real pharmacy open to the public, where learning focuses on experiencing the ‘pharmacy’ environment, aspects of pharmaceutical technology, socio-economics, pharmaceutical legislation and self-medication management. 

In the ‘Prescription Area’ there is a counter with two workstations equipped with management software. In the ‘Health and Wellbeing Area’ there is another counter and displays of health products. In the ‘Service Booth’, students will instead find equipment for ECG analysis, spirometers, pulse oximeters, sphygmomanometers, a vaccine injection simulator and much more. The area is also equipped with a refrigerator and a section for preparing medicines. There is also a classroom area equipped with a projection system.

The creation of the Simulated Pharmacy was made possible thanks to the collaboration of Telaro, Aboca and the Consorzio Farmacisti Riuniti.

The objective of KNIGHT (Knowledge base for Nile Geo-Hazards Tackling) is to strengthen resilience to geo-hazards and climate challenges along the Nile corridor, increasing the capacity to manage emergencies. It is a project promoted by the National Institute of Oceanography and Applied Geophysics (OGS) that sees participation from the Department of Engineering and Architecture (DIA) at the University of Trieste.

The project, co-financed by the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region, was officially launched on 20th January. It will last two years and counts among its partners the Municipality of Lignano Sabbiadoro, Cooperative Shoreline, the Faculty of Science at the Damietta University (Egypt) and the National Research Institute of Astronomy and Geophysics (NRIAG, Egypt).

KNIGHT is aimed at natural disaster mitigation and emergency management. More specifically, it aims to strengthen the resilience of the natural, economic and cultural heritage along the Nile River and its delta. It does so by supporting the review of the national plan for natural hazard mitigation with data, models and innovative technologies.

Within this highly multi-disciplinary project, a research team from the University of Trieste composed of Chiara Bedon (DIA), Marco Fasan (DIA) and Fabio Romanelli (MIGe) will focus on advanced structural and seismological analysis, also using innovative methods and technologies. Their goal is to characterise and assess the seismic risk and vulnerability of some case-study buildings that will be identified along the course of the Nile. All this will contribute to drawing up natural risk exposure maps, the identification of optimal strategies for the prevention of natural disasters, and the establishment of emergency management procedures.

The collaboration between the partners will allow for the sharing of data that will be analysed, standardised and integrated into a database using a GIS platform, making it possible to identify the areas most subject to anthropic and/or natural stress (and therefore most vulnerable), and to assess natural hazards and possible cascading risks in order to mitigate them.

‘There are three main activities that will be carried out. First of all, work will be done to develop a data and knowledge base for the integrated assessment of geological and environmental risks at selected sites along the Nile, the delta and the surrounding coastal areas. At the same time, new methodologies for integrating multi-hazard scenarios and environmental monitoring will be tested at key sites along the course of the Nile, ranging from the Aswan Dam to the coastal areas of the delta, with a special focus on the area of Damietta, a city of significant economic and social interest. Finally, specialised training, technology transfer, citizen-science and awareness-raising activities will also be carried out,' says Antonella Peresan, seismologist at OGS and coordinator of the project.

‘These activities,’ concludes Peresan, ’will over the 24 months of the project lead to concrete and useful products for the future: the creation of an archive of data and knowledge and the development of shared guidelines to improve the resilience of the natural and environmental heritage in the area of intervention, an area where natural events and climate change can significantly affect socio-economic growth.’

The University of Trieste presented at the Urban Center the five winning projects of ‘Call4Ideas’, which, in addition to allocating 75,000 euros in funding, aims to build a bridge between university research and the world of production in order to increase the technological readiness of local businesses.

‘Call4Ideas’, promoted by the University of Trieste in cooperation with the Polo Tecnologico dell'Alto Adriatico, is an initiative financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NNRP) through NextGenerationEU that is being implemented as part of the North-Eastern Innovation Ecosystem iNEST - Spoke 8 (coordinated by UniTS), specifically in the cross-sector activity CC2 ‘Lab Villages’.

In the first phase, the call for proposals saw local companies propose research trajectories, identified as priorities for the development of their activities consistent with the strategic areas of iNEST: blue economy, life sciences, digital, sustainability and material sciences.

Subsequently, the research teams of the University of Trieste proposed projects aimed at verifying the application potential of the research trajectories identified by the companies, in order to foster an increase in the level of technological readiness (TRL) and accelerate their transfer to the market.

The winning projects

After a rigorous selection process, five projects were chosen for funding, confirming their strategic relevance and high innovation potential:

Development of innovative biomedical systems to restore the functions of the masticatory apparatus. Gianluca Turco collaborated with Advan srl to develop a project to characterise the mechanical resistance to fatigue and the maintenance of the connection between the components of dental implants.

Development of a Sustainable Predictive Model for Fishing Through the Integration of Artificial Intelligence Data. Luca Bortolussi, together with Doz Guido - Cooperativa Fra Pescatori of Monfalcone, proposed FishAI, a predictive artificial intelligence system for sustainable fishing in the Gulf of Trieste.

Digital Twin and BI for the Advanced Digitisation of Port Processes in the Port of Trieste. Giuseppe Borruso in partnership with Prodigys Technology srl, developed a Digital Twin and business intelligence project for the advanced digitisation of port processes in the Port of Trieste.

Analysis and feasibility study for the Intermodal Terminal of the Gorizia Freight Village. Giuseppe Borruso, in collaboration with Adriafer Rail Services srl, conducted a feasibility study for the Intermodal Terminal of the Gorizia Freight Village.

Application of Generative Artificial Intelligence for the Analysis of Treatment Protocols of Cardiovascular Diseases. Luca Bortolussi, with Beantech srl, developed ChatMED, an innovative chatbot based on generative artificial intelligence to support the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

On this occasion, the Polo Tecnologico dell'Alto Adriatico presented the development actions of Lab Village, which will be located in the spaces of the Urban Center, to enable the meeting and collaboration between business and research. 

In the future of innovation and lab villages – which include some active experiments in Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto – it is expected that there will be an increasing number of market entry, brokerage and life-long learning services for researchers, entrepreneurs and human resources involved in shared technology transfer processes, where the public sector and business will operate in synergy.

Today the University of Trieste presented four degree courses on the Gorizia Campus during the UniTS ‘Open Day’ event, aimed at final-year high school students. It took place in the Main Hall of the campus on via Alviano 18.

Four courses, which will also be based in Gorizia in the academic year 2025-2026, have been confirmed: the five-year integrated Master’s Degree in Architecture and the bachelor’s degrees in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies, Health Care and Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety.

The initiative registered a significant increase in attendance compared to previous editions (up by15% compared to 2024). More than 400 young people took a day off from preparing for their high school exams to gather useful information on the courses offered by the University of Trieste in Gorizia and to understand how to manoeuvre everything required of their future university lives: from enrolment to fee reduction, from scholarships to accommodation.

The young participants, who over the course of the morning visited the laboratories and talked with lecturers from degree courses, for the most part came from the provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia. More than sixty came from outside the region, particularly from Veneto, but there were also participants from Brescia, Mantua and Bergamo, and from as far as Ancona, Lecce and Syracuse.

At present, 632 students enrolled in the four degree courses gravitate around the UniTS Gorizia campus, a significant number which has grown in recent years with the establishment of the two healthcare degree courses. 20% of the students enrolled in the UniTS university hub in Gorizia come from outside the region.