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

NATURAL PRODUCTS

The Nutraceuticals laboratory responds to the renewed and growing interest in substances of natural origin that can offer a beneficial function for the human body.

One of the main aims of the laboratory is to provide companies operating in the field of natural health products with services aimed at developing new products (food supplements, nutraceuticals, bio-cosmetics) and improving their quality, guaranteeing, on a robust scientific basis, safety and efficacy, in accordance with the relevant regulations.

Extraction and freeze-drying from natural sources

Thanks to the innovative Naviglio Estrattore® technology and our freeze dryers, we are able to offer high quality services (from cold extraction to freeze drying of a wide range of vegetable products/matrices), for small-medium production scale. The application of solid know-how allows to reduce activity times and ensure the high efficiency of the extraction process at room temperature. Extraction at low temperatures avoids thermal stress caused by thermolabile substances, allowing to faithfully reproduce the composition of the substances contained in medicinal plants, without inducing changes in the active ingredients.

Chemical characterization of natural extracts

Through a multi-methodological approach, with the use of advanced analytical techniques (chromatographic techniques in addition to mass spectrometry), it is possible to define the metabolic profile of the extracts of interest, also evaluating the reproducibility of the chemical composition of the extracts, according to the culture conditions of the species from which they are obtained, as well as determine both qualitatively and quantitatively the phytochemical markers.

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

The Test Center has laboratories, operating units and equipments for the use of cellular and animal models (reported in the scientific literature or customized) useful for identifying the nutraceutical properties and the mechanisms of action of natural extracts and pure biomolecules.

Experimental Activities

Equipments

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%.