At the laboratories of the IRET Foundation, opened in 2012, numerous projects have been activated, supported both by competitive calls for tender and by research contracts with companies.
The projects are managed by the IRET Foundation or by other research organizations collaborating with the University of Bologna (UniBo), whose research activities are partly carried out at the IRET laboratories on the basis of a multi-year agreement (Joint Research Laboratory).
RESEARCH PROJECTS
CLOSED
STEP-BY-STEP
“Step-by-step: integrated approach to patients with acute neurological lesions”
Step-by-Step develops innovative treatments for acute neurological lesions. Its approach combines various scientific and technological skills and sectors within a clinical setting, promoting the training of researchers and fostering interdisciplinary innovation.
- Funding body: The region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy; POR-FESR 2014 – 2020 European funding program
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Principal Investigator; IRET, Partner
- Website: https://stepbystep-rer.it/
MAT2REP
“Mat2Rep – multifunctional biomaterials for tissue repair”
Mat2Rep develops treatments for tissue repair, combining drugs and biomaterials designed to offer specific functions and properties.
- Funding body: The region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy; POR-FESR 2014 – 2020 European funding program
- Research organizations: IRET, Principal Investigator; CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
- Website: https://mat2rep.it/
CDKL5
“Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Brain Alterations in the CDKL5 Variant of Rett Syndrome”
The project studies alterations of the excitatory and inhibitory neural systems in a disease model of CDKL5 mutation neurodevelopment
- Funding body: Telethon
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
DOWN SYNDROME
“Preventive therapy of mental retardation in Down syndrome by a novel gamma-secretase inhibitor: focus on APP-dependent mechanisms in neurodevelopment”
The project studies new therapeutic approaches aimed at reducing cognitive changes during development in a Down syndrome model, and at preventing age-related cognitive decline.
- Funding body: Telethon
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
SPINAL LESIONS
“Investigation into the prognostic value of biochemical markers in cerebrospinal fluid for the functional outcome of spinal cord injured patients”
A clinical study designed to identify early prognostic markers in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with a traumatic lesion of the spinal cord.
- Funding body: Italian Ministry of Health – targeted research
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
OPLON
“OPLON – OPportunities for active and healthy LONgevity”
The project aims to develop new models for integrated predictive indices of frailty in the elderly, including the motor, sensory and cognitive domains.
- Funding body: MUR (Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research) – Smart Cities project
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
IRMI
“ITALIAN REGENERATIVE MEDICINE INFRASTRUCTURE (IRMI), A MULTIREGIONAL INFRASTRUCTURE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED THERAPIES AIMED AT ORGAN AND TISSUE REGENERATION”
The project aims to create a national infrastructure for advanced therapies and regenerative medicine, thorough the sharing of facilities, best practices and experimental projects.
- Funding body: MUR (Italian Ministry of Education, Universities and Research) – National Technology Clusters
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
PULMOMED
“Development of new medicinal products in the form of inhalable powder based on a drug delivery platform”
The project is developing new strategies to improve the bioavailability of drugs administered via inhalation.
- Funding body: The region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy; POR-FESR 2014- 2020 European funding program
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
OLIGODENDROCYTES
“Role of RXRy in T3-mediated oligodendrocyte differentiation and remyelination”
The project is studying the role of the interaction between different nuclear receptor isoforms in the regulation of oligodendrocyte precursor differentiation in myelinating oligodendrocytes.
- Funding body: Arsep Foundation – Foundation pour l’Aide à la Recherche sur la Sclèrose en Plaques
- Research organizations: FaBit (department of pharmacy and biotechnology, UniBo), Principal Investigator
BiophotOmics
“DEVELOPMENT AND PILOT VALIDATION OF A NEW PORTABLE BIOPHOTONIC IMAGING DEVICE INTEGRATED A WITH (LIPID)-OMIC ANALYSIS METHOD”
The project is developing a new hyperspectral microscopy device to analyze the lipid composition of biological membranes, optimized for rapid diagnostics.
- Funding body: The region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy; POR-FESR 2014- 2020 European funding program
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
SUPER
“SUPER – “Supercomputing Unified Platform – Emilia-Romagna”
The project is developing a calculation platform based on HPC capabilities usable in healthcare and biomedical settings.
- Funding body: The region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy; POR-FESR 2014- 2020 European funding program
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Partner
STEP 1
“Electrospun fibers for the local release of an anti-inflammatory and a promyelinating drug”
The project aims to advance the TRL of the Step-by-Step project results.
- Funding body: Alma Mater Studiorum (Unibo)
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Principal Investigator
ALTERNATIVE METHODS 1
“3D culture of embryonic stem cells (from the rat) as a replacement for GLP teratogenicity studies”
The project aims to develop alternative (replacement) methods for environmental safety studies, particularly those relative to genotoxicity and teratogenicity.
- Funding body: The Region of Emilia-Romagna
- Research organizations: DIMEVET (department of medical and veterinary sciences, UniBo), Principal Investigator
AD GUT
“Chronic intestinal inflammation and Alzheimer’s disease: comorbidities?”
The project is studying the possible role of systemic inflammation (chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases in particular) as a risk factor for the development of cognitive symptoms in the presence of risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease.
- Funding body: Carisbo Foundation, 2020 – 2021
- Research organizations: DIMEVET (department of medical and veterinary sciences, UniBo), Principal Investigator
BIG DATA FOR PRECLINICAL STUDIES
“Data mining and artificial intelligence in the preclinical phase of drug discovery: focus on the integration of transcriptomic data with neurological phenotype”
The project aims to develop algorithms which integrate phenotypical and molecular profile into neurological disease models, with the aim of generating predictive efficacy models of drugs with high sensitivity and specificity.
- Funding body: The region of Emilia-Romagna, Italy; PO-FSE 2014- 2020 European funding program
- Research organizations: CIRI-SDV (laboratory for the study of life sciences and health technologies, UniBo), Principal Investigator
PERPD-3D
“Development of personalized approaches to the treatment of diabetic foot using a 3D printer” (PERPD-3D)
The project involves testing new treatments for diabetic foot based on 3D-printed exosome-enriched biomaterials in chronic diabetic skin wound models.
- Funding body: Maria Cecilia Hospital, Cotignola, Ravenna, Italy
- Research organizations: IRET, Partner
PHOTOBIOMODULATION
“Development of a patent for the industrial development of a laser-therapy device”
The project aims to identify the most effective physical specifications for an LED photostimulation device to combat oxidative stress damage.
- Funding body: FremsLife srl
- Research organizations: IRET, Partner
OTHER PROJECTS
The IRET Foundation has completed twenty-one research projects (number updated on 31/07/23) commissioned by companies and other institutions (both in Italy and overseas) covered by confidentiality agreements in the following fields: pharmacology (gene therapies, therapeutic proteins and conventional drugs), food supplements, advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs), medical devices and advanced microscopy instruments for applications in neurological, metabolic and rare diseases, epithelial and neurological lesions.
The IRET Foundation has also completed four clinical studies (number updated on 31/07/23) monitored by the EMA/FDA, with biomarker dosing and PK studies.
