Applied research and product development in the field of biotechnology is central to the core mission of the ICGEB. This is in parallel with the growing international perception that biotechnology can offer practical and sustainable solutions for the diagnosis and treatment of human diseases. ICGEB has multiple interests in the
biomedical field and is developing research in close collaboration with industries.
Advanced Disease Models
The Sorrentino Group at ICGEB Trieste, studies the fundamental principles that regulate chronic liver diseases progression, with the ultimate goal of translating this knowledge to design innovative disease models, cancer treatments and regenerative medicine therapies.
Antimicrobial Resistance
The Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Group (Di Luca) investigates the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial resistance and tolerance to antibiotics, as well as the development of new strategies to counteract these. Research focuses on human pathogenic bacteria, as listed by the World Health Organization as priority pathogens for the development of new antimicrobial approaches. The main objective is to understand how genetic and physiological factors contribute to antimicrobial resistance.
Biomanufacturing
At ICGEB Trieste, Biomanufacturing (Molloy Group) focuses on developing open source tools and technologies for distributed biomanufacturing. Applying protein engineering, DNA assembly and biomanufacturing techniques to diagnostics and industrial sustainability.
Biotherapeutic Products
At ICGEB Trieste, the Biotechnology Development Unit (Skoko) focuses on the development of technologies for the production of biopharmaceuticals, to increase know-how and capabilities of pharmaceutical industries in Member States by transferring lab and pilot scale technologies for the production and quality control of off-patent recombinant proteins.
Computational Biology & Bioinformatics
Bioinformatics is an interdisciplinary research field combining computer science methods and statistical / mathematical modelling to analyse biological measurement data.
Functional Cell Biology
The scientific activity carried out by the group is focused on the systematic use of innovative High Throughput Screening (HTS) based approaches to dissect complex biological processes, both in normal and pathological conditions.
Protein Networks
The goal of the laboratory is to understand how protein complexes regulate cellular behavior. Inside the cell the majority of proteins can be found in highly interactive networks. The architecture of the cellular network and how it changes in response to the cellular environment is critical for the normal physiological functioning of the cell.
Translational Health
The group seeks to understand tuberculosis pathophysiology at case presentation and its alteration during therapeutic interventions. The team generates baseline data on microbiome dysbiosis, host genetics that might influence tuberculosis susceptibility or drug response and also elucidate pathogen diversity to discover new molecular targets for drug discovery.
How can you help?
Provide technologies for the development of locally-produced diagnostic kits for HIV, HCV, Dengue and Zika, and to develop novel viral diagnostics.