Technologies

Organotypic models of ovarian cancer are 3D models containing defined extracellular matrices, such as collagen and fibronectin, ovarian cancer cells with specific genetic/molecular characteristics, and one or more cancer-associated stromal cell types (fibroblasts, mesothelial cells, endothelial cells) to mimic specific metastatic niches of ovarian cancer (omentum, peritoneum, interstitial stroma) and the complex interactions within tumor tissues.

Current standard SPECTs, in order to achieve high resolutions, use a multi-pinholes technology that requires numerous data processing to limit the effects of image distortion. The proposed SSR-SPECT scanner, uses a parallel-hole collimator and therefore does not require numerical reprocessing of the data to obtain correct information on the images, while assuring spatial resolutions close to those of the pinholes through the acquisition of sequences of images shifted from one to another.

The development of genome editing tools has revolutionized the way we think and deal with genetics. The use of Cas9 or its variants allows modifications of specific sites in the human genome by inducing deletions and insertions in a more or less controlled way. In recent years, a new class of tools for genome editing has emerged: the base editors (BE), which result from the fusion of a modified Cas9, which serves to direct the BE to the target, and an active deaminase acting on the DNA, which mediates the C> T or A> G editing.

Aptamers, short structured single-stranded oligonucleotides binding at high affinity to a given target protein, are selected from large combinatorial libraries through repeated cycles of incubation of the library with the target, recovery and amplification of target-bound oligonucleotides (SELEX technology, Systematic Evolution of Ligands by EXponential enrichment). SELEX can be applied to select aptamers against a known target protein or against a specific cell phenotype, without any prior knowledge of the specific target, leading to new biomarkers discovery.

The technology we participate to develop, called "Zinc-Finger Artificial Transcription Factors (ZF-ATFs)", allows to design, realize and select artificial genes coding for proteins capable of recognizing and binding "potentially" any DNA sequence. We used ZF-ATF technology to reprogram the expression of "beneficial" genes capable of efficiently counteracting the negative effect of mutated genes related to rare diseases.

Time-correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) is regarded as the “gold-standard” method for fluorescence lifetime measurements. However, TCSPC requires using highly sensitive detectors, not suitable for measurements under bright light conditions, thereby making the use impractical in clinical settings. The invention described here solves this problem by synchronizing the fluorescence detection with an external light source.

Nowadays, to properly design and develop advanced materials capable to preserve for long times their performance under aggressive environments such as power generation plants, renewables, nuclear reactors and electronics of new generation, transport on ground and on space, aeronautics, catalysis, biomedical implants, the optimization of metallurgical processes involved is crucial.

The dramatic global health emergency due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic requires new diagnostic devices capable of identifying the presence of virus particles in patient biological samples. In this direction, the development of an innovative low-cost test, which provides the result within a few minutes, which is reproducible and which can reveal the direct presence of even a few viral particles, would be of fundamental importance for the monitoring and containment of the pandemic.

The final technology will add polarimetric capability to imaging cameras in the NUV/optical, providing simultaneous measurements of the different polarization states of the light. This will be obtained by the development of an innovative coating based on nanostructured emissive materials sensitive to the polarization of the incident light. A  double layer film of two organic systems will be coupled to image detectors so that the two polarization components of the incoming light are converted into two different colors.

The aim of the present invention is to develop a modular scintigraphic device, with high spatial resolution, capable of creating investigation areas of various shapes and sizes, of compact form and of being used in different types of applications.

CNR-ISTEC develops geopolymer composites for thermostructural applications, such as: self-supporting cavities; thermal and acoustic insulation; thermal and fire barriers; high temperature coatings and damping; molds and cores for foundry; foams and refractory linings. Geopolymers are chemically bonded materials at T <300 ° C. Being inorganic polymers without water in the structure, they tolerate high temperatures: they are incombustible, do not emit gas or fumes and do not explode.

The present invention relates to a gamma camera for intracavitary use, which is widely used in the field of radio-guided surgery (intra-operative and laparoscopic and robotic-assisted) for the localisation of lymph nodes and tumours and/or other pathologies. The aim of the present invention is to make available an intraoperative tool able to overcome the drawbacks of the present known art.

The assessment of bio-humoral markers beyond clinical evaluation would allow a more comprehensive pheno/endotyping of patients affected by chronic inflammatory diseases. Therapy personalization would require a profile of the mediators that are relevant in the disease pathogenesis and that well correlate with prognosis. Currently, the measurement of multiple biomarkers is not included in patient evaluation because it has high costs,  requires centralized laboratories, experienced personnel and bulky equipment and is time-consuming.

Shape memory alloys (SMA) have attracted increasing interest in recent years as materials suitable for solid state refrigeration. One of the most attractive methods is mechanical deformation to induce the phase transformation and to generate and absorb heat through the elastocaloric effect.

The proposed technology is based on the micro-fabrication of electrodes in order to generate surface acoustic waves (SAW) with well-defined frequencies, on piezoelectric substrates. The operating principle of a surface acoustic wave sensor is linked to the variation of the characteristics of the acoustic wave that propagates on the device (e.g. wave velocity on the substrate, etc.) caused by the interaction with the environment (e.g. interaction of an analyte on the surface of the device, deformation of the substrate, etc.).