Ribbon-cutting ceremony for the establishment of Ce.M.A.T.A., the Centre of Excellence dedicated to promoting scientific research in the field of aerospace medicine
On 14 May, in Milan, at the UNIMI Foundation, the opening ceremony of Aerospace Medicine Centre for Advanced Therapies (Ce.M.A.T.A.), an important collaboration that represents a turning point in the field of scientific and medical research.
The result of the Framework Agreement signed in 2019 between the Italian Air Force, the University of Milan, and the “Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda” Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico in Milan, this Centre aims to revolutionise the field of Aerospace Medicine.
To attend the inauguration, the Major General, Inspector General of the Service and Head of the A.M. Health Corps Pietro Perelli, accompanied by Pro-rector of the University of Milan G. Zuccotti and from Brigadier General Emanuele Garzia, Director of the Institute of Aerospace Medicine in Milan.
During the press conference, the Gen. Perelli he reminded us that “The Italian Air Force has always favoured the’technological update and the scientific research in the medical field and thanks to the Framework Agreement it has been possible to develop important research projects in the field of Aerospace Medicine. The establishment of Ce.M.A.T.A. will provide new proactive momentum, allowing the range of projects and collaborations to be expanded”.
It General Garzia, taking the floor, also stated that “through the Ce.M.A.T.A. we aim to increase research in the field of disease mechanisms and the development of new approaches to personalised medicine. The objective is to maximise the impact of research starting from the individual (the pilot, the astronaut) in order to apply this knowledge for the benefit of the entire community, in accordance with the classic dual-use approach”.
Following the press conference, the ribbon-cutting ceremony took place, marking the start of the Laboratory's work.
At the meeting of the Body of Governance which followed, the candidatures for Director and Deputy Director of Ce.M.A.T.A. were discussed. The name of the Captain Giovanni Marfia He was unanimously approved as Director of the Centre.
The Centre will be hosted at the prestigious Technology Hub of the UNIMI Foundation until the full availability of the spaces specifically allocated at the Headquarters of the 1st Air Region, in Piazza Novelli in Milan. The UNIMI Foundation is an innovation hub supporting the technology transfer and to the incubation of Innovative start-up, promoted by the University of Milan and which has become part of ranking “Europe’s Leading Start-Up Hubs 2024”.
Set within such a prestigious and stimulating context, it will be the beating heart of numerous projects, some of which are already underway, also linked to scientific missions involving atmospheric and space flight. The greatest impacts of the Centre's scientific activity will be in the study of cellular ageing, neurodegenerative and metabolic diseases, as well as the mechanisms of tumour aggressiveness. This will take place in line with the Space Economy and the Civil-Military synergy involving various entities of our Country System. Thanks to the “omico”used and to the algorithms of artificial intelligence developed in collaboration with the industrial sector, topics such as personalised prevention and the individualisation of pharmacological treatment will be addressed. It represents the first example of structured and ongoing civil-military collaboration in the scientific and health sector, learning new perspectives for research and innovation in the sector of Aerospace Medicine and some advanced therapies.
In summary, the Ce.M.A.T.A. it will represent a hub of excellence and innovation, committed to promoting frontier research, technological innovation, top-tier training, and social and economic impact within the local and global community through the virtuous collaboration of the major institutions represented.
