Biogem (Molecular Biology and Genetics Research Institute) is a consortium between universities and research centres.

The research carried out in Biogem has a strong translational vocation: it aims to contribute to the development of new and more effective diagnostic and therapeutic applications, particularly in the nephrology and oncology fields, also making use of a very advanced facility for the generation of animal models (i.e., mouse, rat, rabbit, and zebrafish) of such pathologies.

An important role is played by preclinical research, aimed at the development of new drugs, for which Biogem has recently got the GLP (Good Laboratory Practice) certification, the only Research Centre in Southern Italy for toxicity and biocompatibility studies.

Biogem is also active in higher education and dissemination of scientific culture: it organizes a MA and PhD programs in relevant scientific disciplines.

Biogem has also a Museum of the History of Earth and Life.

Biogem laboratories

NUTRACEUTICAL LABORATORY

Biogem Nutraceutical Laboratory responds to the renewed and growing interest in substances of natural origin capable of performing a beneficial function on the body.

The laboratory offers key services for the development of new products (dietary supplements, nutraceuticals, bio-cosmetics) with improved quality, safety, and efficacy.

Extraction of active molecules from natural sources

Thanks to the technology of the Naviglio Extractor®, Nutraceutical Laboratory offers high-quality services in the extraction (cold extraction) from a wide range of natural matrices. The dynamic extractor is an innovative solid-liquid extraction technology that allows to process in a short time, solid matrices containing extractable substances in aqueous, alcoholic or hydroalcoholic solvents. The application of a well-established know-how allows to reduce the activity time and ensures the high efficiency of the extraction process. Extraction at room temperature avoids thermal stress for thermolabile molecules, preserving the composition of the substances contained in medicinal plants, without inducing transformations to the active ingredients.

Lyophilization of natural products

Lyophilization is a sophisticated technological process which allows the removal of water from an organic substance by sublimation, minimizing the structural or biochemical deterioration of substance components.

Biogem Nutraceutical Laboratory offers a complete lyophilization service that can be totally tailored to the customer's needs: from lyophilization of liquids and plant extracts to a wide range of experimental solutions aimed at improving the properties of final product.

Lyophilization of Snail Slime

Biogem Nutraceutical Laboratory developed a unique lyophilization method specific for snail slime, that ensures the complete removal of the aqueous component, preserving the chemical integrity of the functional substances in which this product is rich. The lyophilization process allows a prolonged storage and the concentration of the active ingredients, a particularly favorable condition for the formulation of final products (cosmetics or medical devices).

Chemical characterization of natural extracts

Biogem Nutraceutical Laboratory uses advanced analytical techniques (chromatographic techniques coupled with mass spectrometry) to assess product quality, to monitor process reproducibility, to define the metabolic profile of the extracts, and to determine qualitatively and quantitively the phytochemical markers, as well.

In vitro and in vivo preclinical studies on active ingredients of natural origin

Biogem has laboratories for the biological characterization of the products of interests both in vitro and in vivo. Product specific assays can be developed according to scientific literature for the assessment of nutraceutical properties of natural extracts and/or purified biomolecules, and for the definition of their mechanisms of action, as well.

Experimental activities

- Preparation of fluid extracts, mother tinctures, glycerin preparations, oleolites

- Extraction from natural matrices for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, cosmetic, animal husbandry and food sectors.

- Lyophilization

- Qualitative and quantitative analysis by chromatographic and spectroscopic techniques

- Analysis of biological activity (in vitro and in vivo)

- Micronization by spray drying

Available instruments

GLP TEST CENTER

The GLP Biogem Test Center has dedicated laboratories, operating units, instrumentation and archives to adequately perform all the experimental phases required by international regulations and guidelines for pre-clinical studies.

Access to the facility is strictly controlled and allowed only to authorized personnel, subject to digital identification or other security measures. The areas of relevance of the CdS are the following:

The two cultures

Annual meeting inspired by the essay written by Charles Percy Snow, in which the author expresses his hope to go beyond the dichotomy between science and the humanities.

The meeting organised by Biogem S.c.ar.l. and Fondazione Biogem, offers scientific conferences, literary meetings and artistic events. Over the past editions, many Nobel Prizes and relevant personalities from the cultural world participated in the meeting. On the opening day of 2018 edition, the guest of honour was Sergio Mattarella, President of the Italian Republic.

The main theme of this year’s edition will be “The Green World”

BIOGEO - Museum of the history of Earth and life.

A fascinating journey into the history of Earth and life, told by authentic fossil finds, by suggestive reproductions, and by a set of technological devices, which allow visitors to get immersed in an unexpected multimedia reality, capable of capturing the attention of adults and young people. The “Quadrifera”, the Multimedia Pyramid, the Immersive Museum, the 7D Multimedia Room and the replica of the skeleton of an Allosaurus Fragilis in life size are the main parts of the exhibition, specifically designed to illustrate the origins of Earth and the evolution of life on it.

The UIIP Biogem Program (University Industry Internship Program) is a ‘bridge’ between the world of education and that of companies. UIIP tends on the one hand to meet the training needs of IT companies, characterized by a constant search for talent and resources, with specific digital skills, and on the other hand provides young graduates who participate in courses (lasting 2/3 months ) practical skills to enter the labor market (on topics such as SAP, Analytcs, Web) and adequate soft skills (team working, public speaking, problem solving). The post UIIP courses placement rate is 95%.