Who we are
Vision
The Department of Life Sciences (DSV) of the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia contributes to the cultural, social, and economic development of the territory and the Nation through the advancement and dissemination of scientific knowledge, the training of students and the networking in every area of life sciences (agri-food, biological, biotechnological and pharmaceutical).
Mission
The DSV aims at addressing the educational and scientific challenges related to life sciences, with responsibility, scientific rigor and innovativeness. The mission of the DSV is divided into three fundamental dimensions: training, research and third mission.
Research. The DSV is a community of researchers who are dedicated to the study and understanding of living organisms at all levels of complexity and organization, from molecules to ecosystems, and who apply knowledge for developing innovative solutions aimed at the improvement of human health, the management and conservation of biodiversity, the efficiency of the agri-food system and the promotion and protection of the environment with a view to sustainable development.
Formation. The DSV is an educational environment that favors and stimulates the development of independent scientific thinking through multiple teaching activities in first, second and third-level academic courses. It aims to train new generations of responsible citizens capable of acquiring and applying knowledge and skills in the agri-food, biological, biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields.
Third mission. The DSV collaborates with other scientific communities, businesses and the territory to apply life sciences to the needs of the civil society through the sharing of knowledge and discoveries.
Department values:
Student-centricity
Active learning
Social integration
Excellence in research and teaching
International perspective of research and teaching
Synergies with the territory
Social and environmental sustainability
Ethics and academic integrity
The Department of Life Sciences (DSV) originated from the aggregation of 3 Faculties (Agriculture, Biosciences and Biotechnology and Pharmacy) joining professors from different Departments (Agricultural and Food Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chemistry and Biology).
The DSV coordinates, in a single scientific-didactic organizational structure, the lines of research and training activities related to Life Sciences. The DSV harmonizes cultural and educational activities related to living organisms and their components, at all levels of complexity and organization, with a view to synergies and continuous interactions, and interventions that, in compliance with ethical values, aim to modify and optimize them to achieve fundamental objectives for society: health, environment and development. In European strategies, Life Sciences are the founding elements for the development of a sustainable economy that looks to the future by creating new opportunities for society in the sectors of health, agri-food, chemical, pharmaceutical and protection of biodiversity and the environment. The ever-improving knowledge of living organisms and ecosystems continues to represent the driving force that, on the one hand, leads to the development of innovative applications (genetic testing, regeneration of human organs and tissues, assisted genetic improvement of plants and animals, new drugs and therapeutic strategies), on the other hand opens up to the enhancement and transfer of knowledge and technologies in strategic areas of intervention including the legal and economic (BioLaw and BioEconomy).
The multidisciplinarity, complementarity and synergy of skills constitute a huge potential and one of the greatest strengths of the Department which hosts over 60 laboratories / research groups whose activities are related to translational medicine and agri-food / environmental issues. More specifically, it is possible to group the research activities into four macro-themes:
- Plant, animal and microbial research for functional and sustainable food;
- Drug discovery, analysis, delivery and molecular engineering platforms;
- Multi-scale and cell-based approaches to genetic and chronic disorders and development of advanced therapies;
- Evolution, biodiversity, environment and translational biology.
The research lines of the Department of Life Sciences are fully part of the research projects funded by the National Recovery and Resilience Program (PNRR) such as:
- National Center for RNA-Based Gene Therapy;
- National Centre for Biodiversity - NBFC;
- Research Infrastructures;
- Innovation Ecosystems;
- Extended Partnership Health Italia.
The Department of Life Sciences is also the administrative headquarters of three Interdepartmental Centers, two of which are technopoles:
- Interdepartmental Center for Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine: CIDSTEM;
- Interdepartmental Centre for Genomic Research: CeIRG;
- Interdepartmental Centre for the Improvement and Valorization of Agro-Food Biological Resources: BIOGEST-SITEIA.
The Department is also home to accredited and certified facilities. The "Stefano Ferrari" Regenerative Medicine Center and the Interdepartmental Center for Genomic Research (the latter by the Emilia-Romagna Region) are accredited, while the Interdepartmental Center of the Stabulario is certified according to ISO 9001: 2008. In accordance with the regional policies of the Emilia-Romagna Region, the Department has promoted the creation of spin-off companies such as, for example, Holostem Srl, Therabor Pharmaceuticals Srl, Nutrascience Srl, PerForm. In addition, the laboratories of the agri-food area have recently been accredited by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Eleven degree courses are active at the DSV that offer, to a total number of about 2000 students, a first and second-level training in the field of agri-food sciences and technologies, biology, biotechnology and pharmaceutical sciences. A third-level training is also available, with doctorates (Molecular and Regenerative Medicine and Science, Technologies and Biotechnology Agro Food), specialization schools and masters.
[Ultimo aggiornamento: 28/07/2023 09:25:53]