Research Infrastructures & Technology Platforms | Page 2 | Distretto Toscano Scienze della Vita

MATBIO

Via A. Moro, 2 - 53100 - Siena

"The Laboratory for the Development of Materials for Biosystems (MATBIO) conducts research on multifunctional materials for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering, polysaccharides and liposome systems, micro and nano structured systems and biosensors, molecular recognition processes in solution and at the solid/liquid interface, applications of infrared spectroscopy and secondary ion mass spectrometry for the study of biological materials and systems. High resolution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) applications are also being developed for model analysis studies of metabolic processes of unicellular organisms and studies of binder-receptor interaction.
Another field of research is the agrifood-energy sector, in particular with the study of processes of production and bio-transformation of vegetable biomass into biofuels and the development of processes of radiation transfer in aquatic ecosystems (analysis of dissolved organic components and interaction with solar and ultraviolet radiation, photodegradation and photoactivation for the production of biomass of aquatic origin).

Laboratorio di farmacologia dell'angiogenesi

Via A. Moro, 2 - 53100 - Siena

The Laboratory of Pharmacology of Angiogenesis conducts research on the pharmacology of angiogenesis and microcirculation, on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of physiological and pathological angiogenesis, in particular in inflammatory, degenerative and neoplastic diseases, on the characterization of pro- and antiangiogenic factors in the progression of diseases and for therapeutic exploitation, on molecular/methobic biomarkers for stability and resistance to anticancer drugs, on pharmacogenetics and personalized medicine in oncology. Research is carried out through an integrated in vitro test platform, using a wide range of cell lines (endothelial, vascular and stromal cells, human and murine cancer cells, naive and genetically modified cells), on which molecular biology studies (expression/protein activity using western blot and immunofluorescence techniques) are performed, EIA/ELISA tests for mediators and metabolic pathways, RT-PCR for gene expression, silencing and transfection of target genes) and in vitro functional tests (cell proliferation and survival, toxicity and cyto-compatibilitys, cell migration, clonogenic assay, tumour formation and many others).

Laboratorio di Medicina Molecolare

Via A. Moro, 2 - 53100 - Siena

In the Laboratory of Molecular Medicine research is carried out on the cellular and genetic mechanisms related to the musculoskeletal system. In particular, it studies the organization of the sarcoplasmic reticulum and its relationship with the contractile apparatus, the mechanisms of action connected to the proteins involved in the release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, the proteins connected to the cytoskeletal myofibrils (e.g. costameric proteins such as dystrophin). In addition, the genetic mutations responsible for the structural and functional organisation of skeletal muscle fibers, which are involved in genetic diseases (e.g. malignant hyperthermia, central core diseases and new forms of muscular myopathy and muscular dystrophy), are investigated.

SeMPliCe Lab

Via Santa Marta, 3 - 50139 - Firenze

The SeMPliCe Lab (Laboratory of Structural Chemistry and Molecular Properties) is responsible for designing and characterizing, from a structural, morphological, chemical and thermodynamic point of view, different classes of compounds and materials and their properties. The experimental techniques used range from X-ray diffraction, single crystal and micro-crystalline powders to microtomography, fluorescence analysis and elemental chemical analysis, flanked by computational studies using various molecular modeling techniques (empirical, semi-empirical and quantum-mechanical calculations). The laboratory has access to the instrumentation at the Crystallography Centre of the University of Florence (CRIST, www.crist.unifi.it), one of the most important centres in Italy in terms of instrumental equipment.
The lab also deals with molecular modelling, aimed both at the design of new compounds (and/or material precursors) with desired properties, and at the identification of information / parameters of a geometric and/or electronic nature to be used to rationalize the chemical/physical properties and reactivity of the chemical species studied.

Laboratorio di Reverse Engineering & Computer Vision, Rapid & Virtual Prototyping

Via Santa Marta, 3 - 50139 - Firenze

"The laboratory operates both in the context of research agreements and technology transfer commissioned by private entities and in the framework of projects funded by public bodies (regional, national, EU) in the areas of Computer vision and reverse engineering, Development methodologies and virtual prototyping, Rapid prototyping, environmental and industrial acoustics. The main areas of competence are:
- 3D scanning and reverse engineering;
- dimensional, aesthetic and colorimetric control of industrial production;
- artificial vision applied to the cultural heritage industry and sector;
- dimensional, aesthetic and colorimetric control of industrial production;
- additive manufacturing (3D printing, rapid prototyping);
- multiphysics numerical simulation (FEM, Multibody);
- mechanical design, CAD systems and design automation tools.

BIOLAB - LATO

Via Santa Marta, 3 - 50139 - Firenze

"In the Biomechanical Laboratory - BIOLAB, activities are carried out that refer to different sectors of biomechanics (prosthetics and rehabilitation systems for the musculoskeletal system, orthodontic devices, biofluidodynamics, movement analysis, clinical engineering, biomaterial characterization such as bone, tendons, corneas and pericardium, neonatal monitoring), both at the experimental and prototype level and with simulation systems. In particular, the GAIT analysis laboratory is a joint laboratory with the San Pietro Igneo hospital in Fucecchio for the acquisition of kinematic and dynamic parameters of the gait of people with hip and knee replacements in support of rehabilitation programmes and surgical procedures.
In the Laboratory of Ocular Thermography - LATO, at the Ophthalmic Clinic of the University of Florence, research is carried out on ophthalmic pathologies linked to deficiencies in the blood flow in the eye, which affect the surface temperature of the eye, in particular as regards the experimental analysis of blood perfusion, the analysis of dry eye pathology, studies on different techniques of cataract surgery."

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