The Fondazione Italiana Fegato ETS is investing in the future of scientific research through a major upgrade plan for its laboratory infrastructure. The initiative has been made possible thanks to a €200,000 contribution provided by the Region Friuli Venezia Giulia upon the recommendation of President Massimiliano Fedriga – aims to strengthen the Foundation’s research capacity through the acquisition of new advanced technologies and the replacement of obsolete equipment, with the goal of improving scientific quality, safety, and competitiveness.
“ The project represents a structural strengthening strategy” - emphasizes FIF President Claudio Tiribelli - “which will enable the Foundation to expand its experimental activities and consolidate its role within the national and international biomedical research landscape. The investment will in fact improve the reproducibility of scientific data, foster new collaborations, and increase the impact of publications produced by its researchers.”
A significant portion of the funding will be allocated to upgrading the core equipment used for cell culture activities, which are central to many areas of biomedical research. Thanks to the purchase of next-generation incubators, biological safety cabinets, centrifuges, and advanced compressed gas management systems, it will be possible to establish a new room dedicated to cell culture activities within the Foundation’s laboratories. The new equipment will ensure high standards of safety and environmental control, improving both staff working conditions and the reliability of experimental procedures.
The plan also includes the introduction of advanced technologies for the quantitative analysis of cells and molecular biomarkers. Among these, a multimode microplate reader will enable the performance of cell viability, cytotoxicity, and enzymatic activity assays with greater precision and reduced consumption of biological samples. The instrument will also be used for analyses of DNA, RNA, and proteins, which are essential for studying cellular mechanisms and liver diseases.
Particular attention has also been given to operator safety. The new imaging systems for molecular biology applications will make it possible to eliminate exposure to UV radiation by adopting fluorescent technologies that are less toxic and more sustainable, in line with the latest occupational health and safety regulations.
“ The most innovative investment,” concludes Prof. Claudio Tiribelli, “concerns the acquisition of a live cell imaging system.This technology, previously unavailable at the Foundation, will make it possible to observe cell behavior in real time directly inside the incubator, continuously monitoring processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, cytotoxicity, and immune interactions. This approach will enable the generation of more robust and accurate data, reducing experimental variability and opening new perspectives in translational research.”
