Sustainability Platform

Lecturers
Andrea Vezzulli, Paolo Castelnovo, Elena Maggi, Alberto Onetti, Antonella Pisoni, Ilaria Capelli, Stefano Amelio, Patrizia Gazzola, Andrea Bellucci, Rossella Locatelli, Andrea Uselli (Department of Economics)

Specific objectives
This platform studies the dynamics of innovative and entrepreneurial ecosystems and the relationships between different economic actors aimed at facilitating the transition towards new models of sustainable development. The aim is to investigate how these ecosystems are transforming in current contexts characterised by high levels of complexity and uncertainty, in order to understand ecosystem dynamics and identify financial and policy instruments suited to their development, including the ways in which entrepreneurial decisions are made that can facilitate the concrete implementation of sustainability-focused policies.

1. A first area of focus is the study of the ideal conditions for fostering the creation, development and attraction of innovative enterprises, as well as the creation of new sustainable supply chains integrated with existing ones. The aim is to analyse both ‘high-tech’ sectors, characterised by high R&D investment intensity and a strong propensity to patent, and ‘medium- and low-tech’ sectors, using data from both secondary sources (e.g. patents) and primary sources (e.g. surveys) to map corporate ‘best practices’ and innovative activities not necessarily formalised within R&D. 
2. A further area of investigation is the analysis of the impact of eco-innovations on mobility and the local area.
3. Finally, the platform examines the impact of sustainability operationalised through ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) ratings on decisions regarding corporate capital structure. The analysis focuses in particular on the relationship between ESG performance and the level of indebtedness, the determination of optimal debt levels, and the cost associated with debt financing. Furthermore, the potential signalling role of ESG ratings for firms with lower creditworthiness is explored in depth.

Keywords
Innovation; intellectual property and development; Innovation ecosystems; Innovative start-ups/scale-ups; Open Innovation; eco-innovations; sectors and production chains; Access to capital markets; Financing tools for innovative companies; Corporate sustainability; ESG performance and financial structure

Main funding (from 2022)

• (2022–2025) PRIN Call 2022. Green Investments and Environmental Risks: Banks, Firms and Public Policies
• (2023–2027) Department of Excellence (DdE) project “Decision-making and behavioural models in a context of uncertainty”
• (2022–2025) NODES “Digital and Sustainable North-West”, Spokes 2 and 3
• (2022–2025) 4theLINE “Learn, Innovate, Network in the Transregional Ecosystem”

Lecturers

1. Vincenzo Torretta, Fabio Conti, Elena Cristina Rada (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences)
2. Loredano Pollegioni, Elena Rosini, Gianluca Molla, Gianluca Tettamanti, Lorella Izzo, Orlando Santoro (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
3. Elena Rosini, Gianluca Molla, Loredano Pollegioni (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences), Andrea Vezzulli, Raffaello Seri, Elena Maggi, Paolo Castelnovo (Department of Economics)
4. Jenny G. Vitillo, Massimo Mella (Department of Science and High Technology)

Specific objectives

1. Assessment of alternatives for the recovery and valorisation of organic and inorganic waste from industrial processes; evaluation of environmental sustainability via Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), social impacts (S-LCA) and socio-economic impacts in light of the UN 2030 Agenda Goals; and patent analysis (PLA). Among the various case studies that have already been evaluated by the group are: the recovery and valorisation of waste substances from wastewater and waste, the optimisation of municipal solid waste collection processes for subsequent recovery, the energy valorisation of waste, and the assessment of the environmental sustainability of industrial processes for the production, for example, of plastic and metal products. 
2. Enzymatic degradation and valorisation of plastics recovered from the environment: The use of specific enzymes, such as engineered PETases and cutinases, or entire microorganisms, to depolymerise synthetic polymers under mild conditions, transforming them into monomers usable for the production of high value-added compounds, represents a promising approach for the sustainable treatment of plastics. In particular, these approaches enable the valorisation of waste streams currently non-recyclable by conventional methods, such as microplastics from industrial and municipal wastewater and plastic residues mixed with organic waste. This allows us to explore new prospects for a circular economy based on targeted and environmentally compatible biotechnologies.
3. Sustainable degradation and recovery of textile fibres: textile fibres are among the main environmental pollutants due to their high global volume. The recovery of textile fibres and their recycling are key strategies for reducing environmental impact, contributing to a decrease in the demand for new fibres, the conservation of natural resources, and the reduction of CO₂ emissions associated with their production. In this context, a biotechnological approach is being developed here based exclusively on the use of microorganisms and/or enzymes, aimed at the selective degradation of textile fibres, thereby valorising the degradation products into high value-added compounds.
4. Expertise in consultancy and/or applied research activities in the field of the valorisation of industrial process waste, both organic and inorganic, such as the recovery and valorisation of waste substances from wastewater, for example dyes or pharmaceuticals.

Keywords

1. Resource recovery, Waste valorisation, LCA, Industrial sustainability; Energy recovery; socio-economic impacts
2. Plastic degradation; Amino acid production; Protein engineering; System biocatalysis; Insects; Biopolymers; Upcycling
3. Textile degradation and valorisation; System biocatalysis; Biopolymers; Enzymatic treatments; Upcycling

Main funding (from 2022)

1. LATI S.p.A. (2022); ProPla, Fondazione Cariplo (2022), NODES Spoke 2
2. ProPla, Fondazione Cariplo 2022; NICE-PET, PRIN 2022; PLASTIFLY, Horizon-MSCA-2024; Pet-to-Poly, PRIN2022
3. Nodes Spoke 2 – PNRR 2023

Lecturers

1. Davide Spanu, Sandro Recchia, Gianluigi Broggini, Nicola Schiaroli, Carlo Lucarelli, Jenny G. Vitillo, Massimo Mella (Department of Science and Advanced Technology) Elena Rosini, Loredano Pollegioni (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences) Carlo Dossi (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences)
2. Lorella Izzo, Francesco Della Monica, Orlando Santoro (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
3. Gianluca Molla, Elena Rosini, Loredano Pollegioni, Luciano Piubelli (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)

Specific objectives

1. Innovative catalytic and photo/electrocatalytic processes for environmental sustainability and green organic synthesis:
   1. to develop advanced photo/electrocatalytic materials for the selective removal of emerging contaminants from water.
   2. to apply electrocatalytic and photoelectrocatalytic systems to the synthesis of organic compounds of interest, reducing the use of toxic reagents.
   3. to understand the mechanisms underlying photo- or electro-induced transformations to improve the efficiency, selectivity and durability of catalysts.
   4. development of heterogeneous catalysts and processes of industrial relevance, in accordance with the principles of Green Chemistry.
2. Design, synthesis and characterisation of polymers from renewable sources. Sustainable catalysis. Mechanistic studies.
3. Development of engineered enzymes using rational design and directed evolution approaches, produced in recombinant form. Enzymes for applications in industrial biocatalysis in the pharmaceutical, food and sensor sectors (biosensors). Development of new biocatalytic pathways (enzymatic cascades, systems based on engineered microorganisms) through system biocatalysis approaches, with the aim of producing high value-added molecules (amino acids, vanillin, cis,cis-muconic acid, building blocks for drug synthesis, etc.), contributing to the transition towards more sustainable chemical processes.

Keywords

1. Photocatalysis; electrocatalysis; hydrogenation reactions; heterogeneous catalysis
2. Biopolymers; catalysis; Renewables; Electronic structures
3. Protein engineering; System biocatalysis; Enzymology; Recombinant enzymes

Main funding (from 2022)

2. ASUCAROP, PRIN-PNRR 2022; Prometeon Tyre Group
3. ProPla, Fondazione Cariplo 2022; “MEAT-from-WOOD”, PRIN 2022

Lecturers

1. Bruno Cerabolini Antonio Montagnoli, Michele Dalle Fratte (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
2. Francesca Berini, Flavia Marinelli (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
3. Gianluca Tettamanti, Gianluca Molla, Daniele Bruno (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
4. Elena Rosini, Loredano Pollegioni, Lorella Izzo, Orlando Santoro (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
5. Jenny G. Vitillo, Massimo Mella (Department of Science and Advanced Technology)
6. Candida Vannini, Marcella Bracale, Guido Domingo (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences) 
7. Adriano Martinoli, Francesco Bisi, Damiano Preatoni (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences)

Specific objectives

1. Valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass from invasive alien plant species. Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) threaten the integrity of ecosystems worldwide; their eradication is costly, and the resulting biomass is currently treated as waste to be incinerated, leading to the release of climate-altering gases into the atmosphere. In this regard, the pyrolysis of IAPS biomass for the production of biochar represents a potential technique for the valorisation of such biomass, transforming waste into a resource and preventing the emission of combustion gases into the atmosphere. At the same time, the biochar thus obtained would represent a biotechnological product to be used for remediating contaminated land, improving plant productivity and enhancing the characteristics of marginal soils.
2. Valorisation of chitin-containing biomass, on the one hand by using this polymer to formulate fermentation media for the production of molecules of biotechnological interest, and on the other by enzymatically converting chitin into derivatives (chitosan, chito-oligosaccharides, N-acetylglucosamine, glucosamine) with applications in the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and other sectors.
3. Bioconversion of food waste (FORSU), residues and by-products from the agri-food sector through the use of insect larvae for the production of proteins, lipids, chitin and antimicrobial peptides for biotechnological applications.
4. Valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass: lignin, a by-product of paper production, is still largely underutilised and often simply incinerated. Its effective valorisation is crucial both for environmental sustainability and for improving the profitability of biorefineries. Similarly, molecules of interest can be obtained from wheat bran, a by-product of agricultural processing, through targeted enzymatic processes. Through advanced biotechnological processes (multi-enzymatic cascade systems and engineered microbial strains), it is possible to transform aromatic compounds derived from lignin and wheat bran (e.g. vanillin and ferulic acid) into high-value-added molecules such as cis,cis-muconic acid. The latter is an important precursor for the production of bioplastics and sustainable polymers. This approach paves the way for the production of fully bio-based materials, reducing dependence on fossil sources.
5. Catalysis for the valorisation of furfural (from lignocellulose).
6. Valorisation of waste plant biomass: extraction, purification and identification via mass spectrometry of bioactive peptides for applications in the agricultural, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and nutraceutical sectors.
7. Energy and material valorisation of animal biomass from invasive alien species. Invasive alien species (IAS) pose a growing threat to European biodiversity and ecosystems. In line with the provisions of Regulation (EU) No 1143/2014, research activities focus on the removal and sustainable management of IAS of animal origin and on the valorisation of the resulting biomass. In particular, processes are being studied for the conversion of such biomass into bioenergy (biogas, biodiesel, biochar) and functional materials (e.g. protein fibres, chitin, components for composite materials), promoting circular economy approaches. The aim is to transform an environmental problem into a resource, reducing the impacts of traditional disposal, and contributing to the recovery of damaged ecosystems.

Keywords

1. Invasive alien plant species, biochar, soil carbon storage, phytoremediation
2. Chitin, enzymatic transformation, biopolymers
3. Insects; OFMSW; waste and by-products; biomaterials
4. Lignin; Wheat bran; Upcycling; Cis,cis-muconic acid

---

6. Plant bioactive peptides
7. Invasive alien animal species, biochar, bioenergy, circular economy

Main funding (from 2022)

1. ERSAF, Municipality of Brescia
2. PRIN 2022 PNRR FUN-CLUB
3. EntoBOOST, Research Foundation Flanders (FWO) 2024; GIN-TONIC, COST ACTION 2024; AGRITECH - National Research Centre for Agricultural Technologies Spoke 8 WP 8.1, PNRR; EARN-INNOVATION, PRIN 2022 PNRR
4. MEAT-from-WOOD, PRIN2022; Prometeon Tyre group

---

7. Higher Institute for Environmental Research (ISPRA), Lombardy Foundation for the Environment (FLA)

Lecturers

1. Mauro Guglielmin, Nicoletta Cannone, Stefano Ponti (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences), Francesco Malfasi (Department of Science and Advanced Technology)
2. Mauro Guglielmin, Nicoletta Cannone, Stefano Ponti (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences), Francesco Malfasi (Department of Science and Advanced Technology)
3. Mauro Guglielmin, Nicoletta Cannone, Stefano Ponti (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences), Francesco Malfasi (Department of Science and High Technology)

---

1. Giorgio Zamperetti (Department of Law, Economics and Culture)

---

1. Flavia Marinelli, Francesca Berini (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)

---

4. Giorgio Binelli, Genciana Terova (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
5. Antonio Montagnoli (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
6. Guido Domingo, Candida Vannini, Marcella Bracale (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences) 
7. Jenny G. Vitillo (Department of Science and High Technology)

---

1. Giuseppe Crosa, Serena Zaccara (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences)

---

8. Giuseppe Crosa, Serena Zaccara, Silvia Quadroni (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences), Paolo Espa (Department of Science and High Technology) 
9. Antonino Di Iorio (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)

Specific objectives

1. Monitoring the impacts of climate change on the cryosphere, vegetation and soils in polar regions through an international monitoring network in high-priority areas located in Alaska (POLAR-INSUBRIA), continental Antarctica (PNRA22 PERMVEGNET Project), the Antarctic Peninsula and maritime Antarctica (PNRA19_00081 Project) and the Svalbard Islands. Activities are carried out within the framework of international collaborations (British Antarctic Survey, University of Alaska Fairbanks, US L-TER, ITEX).
2. Development of innovative practices for climate change adaptation and mitigation in the Alpine region, with a focus on the cryosphere, vegetation and soil. Priority is given to the conservation of biodiversity in cryosphere-associated ecosystems in collaboration with the National Centre for Biodiversity (CRIOHAB Project). Development and testing of innovative management practices for climate change mitigation in the Alps, with a focus on vegetation-soil (Back from the Future; CRIOHAB; SOIL) and the cryosphere (CRIOHAB)
3. Development of new management practices for climate change mitigation and adaptation in urban areas: Testing the use of biochar for the management of permanent grasslands within the territory of the Monza Park and Royal Palace to increase the soil’s carbon sink capacity and enhance water retention and soil fertility, with the aim of developing best management practices that can be applied to similar urban and peri-urban settings (MITIGreen for Life Project).
4. Assessment of the contribution of eutrophication to global warming, using models developed for Lake Varese. Increased eutrophication leads to greater evaporation of surface water layers, resulting in increased water vapour emissions into the atmosphere. Given that water vapour has three times the potential of CO₂ in terms of its contribution to the greenhouse effect, this could have significant consequences for ongoing climate change and require innovative strategies to reduce eutrophication in lakes and seas.
5. Impact of climate change: impact of drought and heatwaves on soil exchange activity. Over the last four decades, forest biomass has mitigated climate change by absorbing around a quarter of all anthropogenic carbon. The biomass considered for carbon sequestration is that generated by vascular cambium, whose activity is influenced by climatic conditions and can be reduced by the combination of drought and heatwaves. It is therefore important to understand the main molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating the homeostasis of the stem cells responsible for biomass production, comparatively in both the stem and the root, given the evident differential sensitivity of these two organs to environmental stresses.
6. Plant-microorganism interactions in response to climate change. Interactions between plants and beneficial soil microorganisms are fundamental to maintaining high agricultural productivity and helping plants tolerate environmental stresses. It is therefore essential to understand the molecular mechanisms regulating these interactions and the impact of climate change on them, in order to identify the microorganisms and molecules that facilitate this interaction, particularly under conditions of heat and drought.
7. Expertise in mitigating the effects of climate change through the development of materials and devices for carbon capture, separation and storage.
8. Monitoring via early warning signals and assessment of the hydromorphological and ecological impacts of water diversions on river systems, also in relation to changes in flow rates linked to climate change.
9. Impact of drought and heatwaves on the turnover of fine roots in forest vegetation. Fine roots (diameter <2 mm) are the equivalent of leaves for the underground part of plants; that is, they constitute the most dynamic and turnover-prone part of the entire root system. Assessing the extent of this contribution would significantly fill in the missing pieces of the carbon cycle in forest ecosystems.

Keywords

1. Climate change; vegetation; cryosphere; mitigation; adaptation
2. Climate change; vegetation; cryosphere; mitigation; adaptation
3. Climate change; vegetation; cryosphere; mitigation; adaptation
4. Eutrophication; Modelling heat fluxes and heat transfer in lakes
5. Heat waves, drought, cambial activity, wood formation, Poplar, omics
6. Plant-microbe Interactions, root exudates, drought stress; 
7. hydrohydraulics; dams; hydroelectric power; bioindicators
8. Heat waves, drought, fine roots

Main funding (from 2022)

1. PNRA22 PERMVEGNET (2023-); PNRA19_00081 (2024-); POLAR-INSUBRIA (2023-);
2. Back from the Future (2022); PRIN 2022 SOS (2024-); CRIOHAB (2025); SOIL (2025)
3. PNRA22 PERMVEGNET (2023-); PNRA19_00081 (2024-); POLAR-INSUBRIA (2023-); Back from the Future (2022); PRIN 2022 SOS (2024-); CRIOHAB (2025); SOIL (2025)
4. PNRA22 PERMVEGNET (2023-); PNRA19_00081 (2024-); POLAR-INSUBRIA (2023-); Back from the Future (2022); PRIN 2022 SOS (2024-); CRIOHAB (2025); SOIL (2025)
5. Shades of Green, CARIPLO 2024
6. PRIN 2022 LS3ROOTEM, PRIN2022
7. PRIN FLUEMMA 2022

Lecturers

1. Antonio Di Guardo, Elisa Terzaghi, Matteo Semplice, Stefano Serra Capizzano (Department of Science and Advanced Technology) 
2. Annalisa Grimaldi, Nicolò Baranzini, Viviana Orlandi, Rosalba Gornati, Antonino Bruno, Francesco Acquati (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
3. Domenico Cavallo, Andrea Spinazzé, Andrea Cattaneo (Department of Science and High Technology)
4. Davide Spanu, Andrea Pozzi (Department of Science and High Technology), Gilberto Binda (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences) 
5. Antonio Montagnoli, Bruno Cerabolini, Michele Dalle Fratte (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)

Specific objectives

1. Modelling of environmental fate and monitoring of contaminants and micro- and nanoplastics in the environment. Study of the environmental fate of organic contaminants such as PFAS, pesticides, pharmaceuticals and others, micro- and nanoplastics, and measurement using LC-HRMS (Orbitrap), SPME-GC-MS and PYR-GC-MS techniques. Models are essential for understanding the mass balance of contaminants and planning the sustainable use of molecules used in industry (such as PFAS), agriculture (pesticides) and pharmaceuticals, given their role as environmental pollutants. Specific numerical simulations are also used in the development of the models. 
2. Assessment of the impact of environmental pollutants (micro/nanoplastics, PFAS) on the immune system, tissue regeneration and microbiota. The aim of the project is to use the medicinal leech (Hirudo verbana) as a model organism to evaluate the effects of nano- and microplastics and PFAS, analysing the cellular and molecular responses to these emerging contaminants. This invertebrate represents an ideal system thanks to its simple yet highly reactive immune system, its remarkable regenerative capabilities, and the ability to precisely monitor the alterations induced at both the tissue and systemic levels, thereby contributing to an understanding of the ecotoxicological impact of these substances in aquatic environments.
3. Assessment of human exposure to environmental contaminants, including micro- and nanoplastics. Qualitative and quantitative study of exposure to emerging contaminants such as PFAS, micro- and nanoplastics. The assessment of aggregate exposure, via inhalation, dermal and gastrointestinal routes, must be based on an integrated characterisation of environmental matrices. In the case of micro- and nanoplastics, particular attention must be paid to the atmospheric compartment, using an approach that combines multi-parameter techniques (mass, number, surface area) for the quantitative determination of the size distribution of these aerosols, alongside the use of ad-hoc analytical methods based on a combination of bulk and particle-by-particle analysis for qualitative and quantitative purposes. Exposure assessment is a fundamental step in risk assessment, which is, however, only possible if a robust framework of the toxicological profile for these contaminants is available in the literature.
4. Assessment of indirect environmental impacts caused by plastic pollution. Specific objectives include simulating the environmental ageing of plastic materials through abiotic and biotic factors to assess potential effects on chemical-physical characteristics and possible large-scale implications, such as interactions with other chemical compounds in the environment, the release of additives, and the transport of microorganisms in freshwater bodies. These activities enable an understanding of the risk, environmental fate and effects associated with plastic pollution, facilitating the future development of sustainable materials with reduced environmental impact.
5. Assessment of the impact of environmental pollutants (micro/nanoplastics, heavy metals and POPs) on plant organisms. Understanding and assessing the impact of micro/nanoplastics and their relationship with other organic and inorganic pollutants on development, oxidative stress, and accumulation in the tissues and edible parts of plant organisms. Understanding how the impact of micro/nanoplastics in forest and agricultural soil communities can alter their ecosystem functionality. Finally, the aim is to investigate the use of organic soil improvers that can reduce the impact of such pollutants.

Keywords

1. Environmental Fate Models; PFAS, Microplastics, nanoplastics, environmental contaminants, pyrolyser-GC-MS, LC-HRMS Orbitrap
2. Immuno-ecotoxicology; innate immune system, medicinal leech, pollutants

---

4. Plastic pollution; ageing simulation; indirect environmental effects; additive leaching; limnology
5. Plant protection, emerging pollutants, biochar, ecosystem services

Main funding (from 2022)

1. PNRR NODES 2023; EU LIFE-CASCADE 2023;
2. NANOPIN-PRIN 2022; PROGETTO SCENARIO, Horizon 2020

---

4. AWARE-FIS 2 (2022-2023)

Lecturers

1. Silvia Gazzola, Antonio Di Guardo, Elisa Terzaghi, Umberto Piarulli, Barbara Giussani (Department of Science and Advanced Technology), Gianluca Tettamanti, Francesca Berini, Flavia Marinelli, Guido Domingo, Marcella Bracale, Candida Vannini, Antonino Di Iorio, Antonio Montagnoli, Bruno Cerabolini (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
2. Giorgio Binelli (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
3. Flavia Marinelli, Francesca Berini, Lorella Izzo, Enrico Caruso (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)
4. Genciana Terova (Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences)

---

7. Giuseppe Crosa, Serena Zaccara, Silvia Quadroni (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences)

---

9. Damiano Preatoni, Adriano Martinoli, Francesco Bisi (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences)

Specific objectives

1. Sustainable Crop Protection – Sustainability of plant protection in agriculture. Given climate change and European restrictions on plant protection products, this highly topical area integrates expertise in organic chemistry, plant biology, entomology, environmental sciences, biotechnology and chemometrics to develop innovative crop protection strategies. The group’s expertise ranges from the chemical synthesis of controlled-release systems to the study of biopesticides, biostimulants, biodiversity and allelopathy; it also includes the analysis of the environmental fate of contaminants, design of experiments strategies and multivariate statistics, the study of stress resistance in plants, including through the analysis of traits and functional types, and the use of biochar to improve soil fertility.
2. Conservation Genetics. Use of molecular genetic markers to study genetic diversity and differentiation in plant and animal species, particularly those at risk. Development of mathematical models to reconstruct the evolutionary and demographic history of populations. Application to the genetic management of small populations to conserve genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding. Bayesian methods of phylogenetic reconstruction to improve the resolution of uncertainties in taxonomy and identify potential units of evolutionary and/or management interest within the species studied. Use of Deep Learning and Machine Learning methods for varietal attribution.
3. Exploration of microbial communities in urban hotspots and polar environments to isolate microbial strains adapted to grow in environments with varying levels of human impact, and to study their biosynthetic potential for the discovery and characterisation of new antibiotic molecules and other natural metabolites of biotechnological interest.
4. I-FISH – Intelligent System for the Production, Distribution and Traceability of Fish-Based Functional Foods. Developing cutting-edge industrial technology for the production of enriched fish-based foods, using biotechnological interventions to enhance the nutritional properties of farmed fish. The main objective is to ensure the transfer of molecules with high nutritional value (omega-3, antioxidants, minerals, vitamins) from the feed processing stage through to the final products. These innovative, functional and sustainable foods based on farmed fish will be aimed at consumers with specific nutritional needs – children, pregnant women, the elderly and patients with chronic conditions – and will be scientifically validated to ensure nutraceutical efficacy and sensory quality.
5. Forests play a fundamental role in providing ecosystem services. In both natural ecosystems and urban settings, fine roots and their associated mycorrhizae are a key component in soil carbon dynamics and for understanding how forests function. The aim is to analyse the relationships between soil, roots and fungi within forest ecosystems along climatic gradients, which is essential for understanding the contribution of the underground sector to ecosystem services and how these may be disrupted by the impact of climate and soil conditions.

---

7. Monitoring of aquatic communities using innovative methods linked to applied molecular ecology (eDNA and metabarcoding), which are useful for developing strategies aimed at conserving biodiversity.
8. The intensive use of fertilisers has led to improved crop yields but has also caused a range of problems linked to soil and water pollution, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. The study of nutrient uptake and utilisation mechanisms, particularly in relation to climate change, is fundamental to selecting plant varieties that are more efficient in absorbing and utilising fertilisers, leading to their more sustainable use.
9. Sustainable wildlife management and sustainable use. Wildlife management is applied as a tool for controlling animal populations, conserving habitats and preventing human-wildlife conflicts. Research activities focus on the development of sustainable, efficient and technologically advanced wildlife management techniques and methodologies, based on the development of ecological and numerical models for the adaptive management of wildlife populations, on the analysis of harvesting practices in relation to biodiversity, and on the regulatory and socio-economic implications of hunting activities. Particular attention is paid to assessing the impact of these activities on vulnerable ecosystems and to promoting participatory, evidence-based strategies for wildlife management.

Keywords

1. Meadows and pastures, Natura 2000 habitats, sustainable dairy products, eutrophication; Natura 2000 habitat monitoring, biodiversity, vegetation structure and functions, ecosystem services, biopesticides, biostimulants, bioprotectors
2. Drought and nutrient stress; resilience; genetic diversity; conservation genetics; molecular markers; population genetics; biodiversity
3. Natural products, bioprospecting, microbial diversity
4. Functional foods; Circular economy; Sustainability; Agri-food; Innovation

---

6. Fine root biomass and turnover rate, mycorrhizal colonisation, soil weathering, pathogens, fine roots, urban forests, fragmentation, soil carbon, soil biodiversity
7. eDNA; metabarcoding; aquatic ecosystems; endemism; invasive species
8. Sustainable use of fertilisers
9. Sustainable wildlife management; Wildlife population control; Mitigation of human-wildlife conflict; Biodiversity and harvesting practices; Sustainable use of wildlife; Science-based decision-making; Community engagement in conservation

Main funding (from 2022)

1. Lombardy Foundation for the Environment; RDP, Lombardy Region
2. WHEATSUSTAIN, PRIN PNRR2022; RIBICALM, Lombardy Region RDP 2022
3. ANTIDOTES, PNRR - National Biodiversity Future Centre 2024; CIB Innovative Models for Applied Omics Sciences 2023

---

5. Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy - Incentives from the Fund for Sustainable Growth, Innovation Agreements, 2024
6. EU - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Staff Exchanges - Horizon 2024
7. PNRR - National Biodiversity Future Centre
8. PNRR - National Biodiversity Future Centre TRIC-IT 2024
9. Lombardy Region, ISPRA, Oikos Institute

Lecturers

1. Elena Maggi, Andrea Vezzulli, Fabio Vanni (Department of Economics), Daniele Crotti, Ginevra Boldrocchi, Alessandra Casati, Laura Facchin, Rita Messori, Andrea Spiriti (Department of Human Sciences and Innovation for the Territory), Sebastiano Citroni, Flavia Cortelezzi, Deborah Toschi, Giuseppe Colangelo, Umberto Galmarini, Giuseppe Porro, Valentina Erminia Albanese, Barbara Pozzo, Roberta Minazzi, Alessandro Panno (Department of Law, Economics and Culture)

---

6. Elena Maggi, Andrea Vezzulli, Fabio Vanni (Department of Economics), Daniele Crotti, Ginevra Boldrocchi, Alessandra Casati, Laura Facchin, Rita Messori, Andrea Spiriti (Department of Human Sciences and Innovation for the Territory), Sebastiano Citroni, Flavia Cortelezzi, Deborah Toschi, Giuseppe Colangelo, Umberto Galmarini, Giuseppe Porro, Valentina Erminia Albanese, Barbara Pozzo, Roberta Minazzi, Alessandro Panno (Department of Law, Economics and Culture) 

---

7. Adriano Martinoli, Damiano Preatoni, Francesco Bisi (Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences)

Specific objectives

1. Study, using an interdisciplinary approach, of the interaction between tourism dynamics, natural and cultural heritage, transport systems and sustainable development, including in relation to climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies
2. Development of quantitative economic models to study travel behaviour and assess the impact of sustainable mobility and tourism policies
3. Analysis of demographic and territorial dynamics, as well as regulatory processes, competition promotion and innovation regarding the supply and demand of transport and tourism services
4. Ecological studies on the environmental impact of areas with a strong tourism focus
5. Historical and artistic analyses of cultural heritage in relation to territorial development
6. Definition of strategies for the management and enhancement of tourist destinations and the promotion of sustainable tourism and mobility
7. Development and evaluation of ecotourism in natural contexts of high ecological value

Ecotourism represents a form of responsible and sustainable tourism that aims at the aesthetic and recreational enjoyment of natural resources with minimal impact on the environment. Research activities focus on the development of tourism sustainability indicators in protected or fragile areas, the definition of ecological carrying capacity, and the study of the socio-environmental effects of nature-based tourism. The role of ecotourism in enhancing natural capital, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainable local economies is also analysed, within an integrated framework that incorporates climate change adaptation strategies.

Keywords

Sustainable mobility; infrastructure, transport models and systems; sustainable and digital tourism; slow tourism; spatial interactions; territorial policies, competition in the tourism sector; cultural and natural heritage; tourism businesses and services; marketing of tourist destinations; ethnography; innovation; sustainable development; sentiment analysis; ecocinema; museums; cultural geographies

Major Funding (since 2022)

1. - 6) NODES Spokes 2 and 3 - PNRR (2022–2025); SUITABLE - Sustainable Mobility and Accessibility in Peri-urban Environments - PRIN2022 (2023–2025); MOVEON - Light Mobility in the Olona Valley - CARIPLO FOUNDATION (Cariplo Major Flagship Projects 2019) (2021-2025); GREEN SCHOOL ITALIA - AICS (Italian Agency for Cooperation and Development, Global Citizenship Education - ECG 2021) (2022–2025); Policies for Sustainable Commuting to Work. A Stated Preferences’ Analysis – Junior Research Grant 2022–2023; Application of Sentiment Analysis and Topic Modeling to Bike-Friendly Accommodation Facilities in Italy – Junior Grant 2024–2025; PA-LIVES. Public Administration and Legal Tools for the Assessment of Ecosystem Services, PRIN-PNRR 2022 (2023–2025); Cum-Domus. Coexistence in the Plural City, Didec Department Strategic Plan 2023 (2023–2024);  ITM - Immersive Textile Museum, NODES Academic PoC (2023-2025); CERR - Cultural Extended Reality Routes Academic PoC, NODES (2023-2025); Mela Project: Educational, Playful, and Accessible Museums - Lombardy Region InnovaCultura Call for Proposals 2024-2025; ITINEREL – Religious and Cultural Routes as ITINEraries toward European Common Values, Sustainable Tourism, and the Protection of Cultural and Religious Heritage for Future Generations. PRIN-PNRR 2023 (2023–2026); CERR – Cultural Extended Reality Routes PoC NODES (2023–2025); COSMO – Climate Change: Observatory of Social Mobilization Fund for Fixed-Term Researchers, Fiscal Year 2022 (2022-23); Representations of Colonial Landscapes in Irish Tourist Attractions – Oxford Brookes University (UK), Technological University of Dublin (IE) (2022-2023); Food, Place and Wellbeing – Oxford Brookes University (UK) (2022–ongoing); Smart Approach for the Development of Tourism in the Context of Sustainability – Jagiellonian University (Krakow) (2021–ongoing); Varese Cultura 2030 – Fondazione Cariplo Emblematici (2023–ongoing)

---

7. COAST: Collaborative Actions for Strengthening Thai CSOs’ Participation in Tackling Climate Change, Gender Equality, and Social Inclusion (2024–2026) for the OIKOS E.T.S. Institute; FAI