Unlocking Pathogen Research Frontiers

Cutting-edge technologies and multidisciplinary expertise in a unique Research Infrastructure


Mission

We want to empower the understanding of infectious diseases through Pathogen Readiness Platform for CERIC-ERIC upgrade (PRP@CERIC) project, a visionary initiative, designed to be at the forefront of infectious disease research. PRP@CERIC is funded by the European Union through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), part of Next Generation EU, as part of Mission 4 “Education and Research”, Component 2 “From Research to Business”, Investment Line 3.1 “Fund for the creation of an integrated system of research and innovation infrastructures”.
A collaborative team of experts representing eight distinguished research institutions are dedicated to addressing the pressing challenges of emerging human, animal, and plant pathogens.

Vision

Academic and industrial users can have access to a unique interdisciplinary network of knowledge, methodologies and instruments capable of exploring the boundaries of pathogen research in the fields of diagnostics, pathogenesis, drug discovery, safety & environment. We bridge the gap between genetics, morphology, chemistry, and biophysics, thereby revolutionizing early drug discovery for infectious diseases and establishing enhanced preparedness and response strategies against future outbreaks.

Values

Our core values include scientific excellence, openness, and sustainability. We are committed to enabling pathogen research to cutting-edge level, providing a comprehensive suite of state-of-the-art analytical instruments and competencies for researchers, both in academia and industry, to explore infectious diseases at the deepest level. As a digital ecosystem following FAIR principles, we promote open science to ensure high-quality data, fostering collaboration and accelerating discoveries.
We adhere to the DNSH principles to assist the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals and support technology transfer, bridging the gap between the scientific and industrial sectors for long-term success.

What is CERIC-ERIC?
 
CERIC-ERIC (Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium) is a distributed research infrastructure, set up by the European Commission in June 2014 as an ERIC (European Research Infrastructure Consortium). With a single-entry point to some of the leading national research infrastructures in 8 European countries (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Slovenia), it enables research communities – through facilities, resources and services - to conduct research and delivery innovative solutions to societal challenges in the fields of health, energy, cultural heritage and more.
 

CERIC-ERIC offers open access to more than 60 techniques based on electrons, ions, neutrons, photons, and nuclear magnetic resonance through a peer-review system based on merit and research excellence, thus contributing to top-level research and technological advancement. Each member country contributes to CERIC by making available and supporting a high-quality and strongly-complementary Partner Facility (PF), ensuring access and outreach to all national scientific communities and users worldwide.

Governance

Steering Board

The decision-making body of the project, it is responsible for strategic guidance of research activities, developing research infrastructure governance, quality monitoring, performance indicators and outputs monitoring, managing issues related to data management and intellectual property. If needed, the steering board makes decisions on technical and budget modifications and towards defaulting partners.

Members

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Alberto Aloisio

University of Naples “Federico II”

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Pietro Campiglia

University of Salerno

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Stefano Cozzini

Area Science Park

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Federica Mantovani

Area Science Park

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Rosaria Rinaldi

University of Salento

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Lisa Vaccari

Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste

Project Management Board

It is responsible for the overall management of the project, including its technical, administrative and financial implementation. It is essential to guarantee the regular exchange of information among partners and to monitor fulfilment of scheduled activities. It is supported by 3 thematic working groups: Human Resources Working Group, Public Procurement Working Group and Digital Implementation Working Group.

Infrastructure Management Monitoring Board

It is the body managing all PRP@CERIC operations, such as: experiments proposal allocation workflow, platform usage monitoring and experiments’ scientific outcomes monitoring. It will also foster participation of project partners in EU-funded projects exploiting the infrastructure investigation potential, thus further contributing to its long-term sustainability.

Advisory Board

It is composed by external public and private experts in fundamental and applied research using Research Infrastructures (RIs) for their research activities. It contributes to the definition of the most effective and sustainable user model, to RI governance structure, to the definition of training activities and of the internationalization strategy.