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How do tissues in our body break down? Let's find out (to fix them)

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Politecnico is at the top of the world rankings of universities also thanks to the frontier scientific research it carries out in its laboratories. The protagonists of this Italian record are the approximately 3,500 scientists and researchers of Politecnico. Among the hottest topics are obviously those related to the systemic transformation towards climate neutrality; and then, the world of digital, space exploration, life sciences, the movements embraced by the New European Bauhaus, the new frontiers in the study of matter... In particular, young researchers inject new life into the research system and grow innovative scientific strands. Politecnico invests in activities aimed precisely at encouraging young scientists of excellence to join in. Among many, this year we welcome twelve new young researchers who are among the best of their generation. They are here at Politecnico di Milano thanks to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowship programme. Let us introduce them... in alphabetical order.

ALESSANDRA BONFANTI deals with the mechanics of soft materials, with a focus on biological materials, both animal and plant. Her field is Mechanobiology, which focuses on the response of biological components - from the sub-cellular to the tissue scale - to mechanical signals for the regulation of biological processes - such as development, physiology and disease. One example is epithelial tissues subjected to mechanical strain during physiological processes: alveoli swell during respiration, epithelial cells in blood vessels are subjected to strain due to blood flow, the intestines contract and relax during digestion. When these tissues break down, a pathological condition is developed. Through the combination of advanced experimental instrumentation, such as the Organ-on-Chip, and new micromechanical models, Bonfanti aims to improve understanding of how tissues function and how they can and do break down, with a foreseeable impact on personalised care and the development of new treatments.

Read more: all Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) researchers in 2023 on MAP 12

Gianfranco Ferré Research Center: Italian heritage

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"It is with emotion that today I speak to the students of that which many years ago was my department, where I entered with rather confused ideas". It is 14 March 1997 and we are at Politecnico di Milano, in the Theories and Techniques of Architectural Design classroom. The designer Gianfranco Ferré is speaking. "In these twenty-five years, each of my creations has at least a smidgen - and often much more than that - of what I learnt at Politecnico di Milano. In 2007, Ferré returned to Poli to speak to Fashion Design programme students: "Designing a garment always starts from a two-dimensional phase - that of the idea fixed on the sheet of paper, in the form of a drawing - but already implies a confrontation with the three-dimensionality of the human body. This is the prerequisite for a garment is that it has to fulfil its function as an object of use, i.e., as a product calibrated to the reality of living”. Among the students that day was Federica Vacca, now a professor and researcher at Poli and deputy director of the Gianfranco Ferré Research Center:“I remember those words very well”, Vacca says. “ It was his last lesson, a few days before he left us”.

The history of the Center began in 2021, following the donation to Politecnico by the Ferré family of the archive and headquarters of the Gianfranco Ferré Foundation in Via Tortona in Milan. The space was designed by architect Franco Raggi, also an Alumnus, fellow student and friend of Ferré. It contains, among other things, 22,000 original designs, 15,000 photos of fashion shows and 12,000 advertisement photos, as well as 3,500 garments and accessories. This heritage is a starting point in the hands of Poli: for example, the Department of Design, - specifically, the Density Design Lab, which deals mainly with Big Data and data visualisation, Federica Vacca explains, - is working on the reconstruction of the archive platform. The Department of Mathematics is developing mathematical models “to decode the forms of garments and the processes that, through the construction of theorems, illustrate how a basic geometry can be developed into volume”. An example of this is a haute couture piece from the autumn-winter 1987 collection dominating the scene in one of the rooms, worn by a mannequin. It was chosen as the archetype for some research in collaboration with the Department of Mechanics because, as Vacca says, “it encapsulates so many of Ferré's design principles. An architectural volume generated by geometric composition”. Together with the Department of Mechanics, virtualisation work is underway, starting with a reverse engineering process to study and rework the garment itself and arrive at the creation of its digital twin.

Read the full article in MAP 12

New achievement for Polimi in the international rankings

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The Laurea Magistrale (equivalent to a Master of Science, hereinafter LM) in Management Engineering,  of the School of Industrial and Information Engineering at Politecnico di Milano,  confirms once again this year its inclusion in the "Masters in Management 2023’ Ranking, thus obtaining further recognition from the Financial Times.

Despite the entry of 21 new schools, the Programme has gained 7 positions compared to 2022 and has thus raised to 70th place, taking Politecnico among the top 9 technical universities.

The criteria that have made this advancement possible include, among others,Weighted Salary,  Salary increase, Value for money – the quality-price ratio of the Programme – and International course experience– calculated based on the number of exchanges and internships with one-month minimum duration in locations other than that of the School.

The programme has about 900 students admitted each year, of which around 20% are international students.

Teaching is delivered in English and there also numerous opportunities for student international exchanges and mobility: the Erasmus Programme, Double Degree programmes in collaboration with prestigious foreign universities and special programmes of varying duration from a few days up to one-year exchanges.

Each year more than 350 students decide to try an experience abroad and just as many students are accepted on exchange, contributing to making our Campus an increasingly international context.

Designing sustainably: the mathematician who studies the wind and waves

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Politecnico is at the top of the world rankings of universities also thanks to the frontier scientific research it carries out in its laboratories. The protagonists of this Italian record are the approximately 3,500 scientists and researchers of Politecnico. Among the hottest topics are obviously those related to the systemic transformation towards climate neutrality; and then, the world of digital, space exploration, life sciences, the movements embraced by the New European Bauhaus, the new frontiers in the study of matter... In particular, young researchers inject new life into the research system and grow innovative scientific strands. Politecnico invests in activities aimed precisely at encouraging young scientists of excellence to join in. Among many, this year we welcome twelve new young researchers who are among the best of their generation. They are here at Politecnico di Milano thanks to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) fellowship programme. Let us introduce them... in alphabetical order.

EDOARDO BOCCHI deals with the analysis of partial differential equations arising in fluid mechanics and fluid-structure interactions. His research at Politecnico di Milano, as he explains, aims to improve understanding of infrastructure of current global interest through the mathematical analysis of two fluid-structure interaction problems: the stability of suspended bridges under wind action and the impact of ocean waves on oscillating water columns (OWC).

GIRLS@POLIMI 2023: 25 ENGINEERING STUDENTS HONOURED

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On 28 September, during an event held in the Aula Magna, Rector Donatella Sciuto, the Delegate for Diversity and inclusion Mara Tanelli and the donors awarded the 25 female students, winners of the 2023 edition of Girls@POLIMI.

Girls@POLIMI is the project of the Politecnico di Milano created to support girls who, during the high school, decide to undertake studies in the field of STEM disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) and attend engineering programmes with a low number of female students.

The awarded students will receive scholarships, each worth € 8,000 per year, with the chance to renew them for their next two years of study, and will have the opportunity to participate in events and initiatives of communication and training, such as mentoring and educational monitoring.

The scholarships have been funded by 12 companies (Gruppo Autostrade per l’Italia, Energy Dome, Esselunga, Fastweb, Hitachi Energy, Intesa Sanpaolo, Leonardo, Gruppo Lutech, MEDIOBANCA, Gruppo Nestlé in Italia, Reply, SIAE MICROELETTRONICA), by a foundation (Fondazione r.e.ACT ETS), by the University itself and by Alumni Politecnico di Milano.

Girls@Polimi is one of the initiatives with which the Politecnico di Milano is committed to promoting equal opportunities and guaranteeing an inclusive and respectful study and work environment where everyone's uniqueness is respected.

A pioneering study from Politecnico di Milano for the fight against cancer

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Milan, September 14th 2023 - new scientific study published in the prestigious international journal "Science Advances",has investigated one of the still poorly understood aspects of cancer, therapy-induced senescence in tumour cells. The study, the result of collaboration between researchers from Politecnico di Milano, Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, the National Cancer Institute in Milan, and the National Research Council, expands our understanding of cancer biology and paves the way for future therapeutic advancements.

Cancer continues to be a global health threat, responsible for millions of lives lost each year. Standard cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy remain the primary methods for treating neoplasms. However, a small percentage of treated tumour cells, called "therapy-induced senescent" (TIS) cells, exhibit resistance to conventional therapies, leading to tumour quiescence and ultimately, recurrence. The team worked to uncover the biological mechanisms behind the formation of TIS cells. Researchers utilized advanced optical microscopy techniques, combining three-dimensional holograms of tumour cells with ultra-short pulses of laser light, with an incredibly brief duration of just one-millionth of one-millionth of a second, to identify biomolecules based on their characteristic vibrations. These highly technological tools allowed them to explore both the chemical and morphological aspects of TIS cells in human tumours. Importantly, this study was conducted without the use of invasive techniques, preserving the natural state of the cells.

The results are promising. The research group was able to distinguish key features of TIS cells in human tumour cells, shedding light on their early manifestation. These properties include the reorganization of the mitochondrial network, overproduction of lipids, cell flattening, and enlargement. By analyzing a considerable number of cells, researchers established a clear timeline for the development of these distinctive signs.

Arianna Bresci, the first author of the study and a doctoral student in the Department of Physics at Politecnico di Milano, commented: "This result is a clear example of how cutting-edge technologies, multidisciplinary expertise, and strong international collaborations are crucial in addressing the most pressing biological questions, such as the early reaction mechanisms of tumour cells to anticancer therapies".

Dario Polli, associate professor at the Department of Physics at Politecnico di Milano and the coordinator of the study, emphasized: "Our findings provide important insights into the complex world of TIS in human tumour cells. In our laboratory at Politecnico di Milano, we have developed a new non-invasive laser microscope that has allowed us to understand the initial stages of this phenomenon".

The study offers many avenues for the future of cancer research, opening new paths for investigation. The research team envisions broader applications in the development of personalized treatments using patient-derived tumour samples and the potential to refine current screening protocols for oncological therapy. The discoveries made by this research team bring us closer to understanding the complexities of cancer and offer hope for more effective therapies in the future.

‘We are faced with urgent challenges. Solutions come through research, which deserves more trust' 

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‘Our universities are propelled by a non-stop engine that moves knowledge further every day. Research has the task and responsibility to provide the tools to make informed decisions'. The role of scientific research is clear in the words of Donatella Sciuto, Rector of Politecnico di Milano, in this interview published on 23 September in Corriere della Sera.. At the country's largest technical university (Italy's first in global rankings), our researchers deal with competitiveness, production and sustainable growth every day. With excellent results at European and global level: in 2023, Sciuto explains, '57 Italian researchers have won [European research funding, ed.] and 32 projects have succeeded, compared to 27 last year, which proves Italian universities and research centres have become more attractive. Politecnico hosts three projects of excellence by Giulia Acconcia, Chiara Paganelli and Giuseppe Maria Paternò. All three projects have applications in the biomedical world from fighting cancer using fluorescence and radiotherapy, to using bacteria as drug ” carriers’. 

Gasometers: construction site at the future Bovisa Goccia campus starts

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The construction site of the gasometers within the new Bovisa-Goccia Campus of the Politecnico di Milano, designed by the RPBW studio, started. The event took place in the presence of Donatella Sciuto, Rector of Politecnico di Milano, Renzo Piano, Senator for life and Alumnus of the Politecnico di Milano, Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of the Municipality of Milan, Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region, and Anna Maria Bernini, Minister of University and Research in Italy.

The symbolic gesture to start the construction site was the planting of a tree dedicated to Federico Bucci, Pro-rector of the Mantova Campus of the Politecnico di Milano, who recently passed away.

“With the start of work on the gasometers, a new phase opens for Bovisa. From a working-class neighbourhood to a university area, Bovisa is a candidate for a third role, that of the Innovation District. A significant intervention that marks the return of white factories, those that invest in innovation, research and high-potential start-ups. A project that, thanks to the involvement of the institutions, marks a step forward for Milano and the Lombardy Region towards Europe,“

says Donatella Sciuto, Rector of the Politecnico di Milano.

The two gasometers were designed by a team with Milan Ingegneria and Betaprogetti, coordinated by architect Paolo Bodega, who also designed the Lecco Campus. The concept was developed by the Renzo Piano Building Workshop, which designed the enlargement of the Bovisa Campus of the Politecnico.

Gasometer 1 will be dedicated to sport: on three levels there will be a swimming pool, a multi-sports field and a fitness area. Gasometer 2 - Innovation Hub will be dedicated to cutting-edge research and equipped with innovative laboratories, all the technological services necessary for their operation, and spaces for teaching.

This project is part of a broader plan for the sustainable urban regeneration of the 'Bovisa-Goccia-Villapizzone' area, the future 'open, green and permeable' campus that is to be completed by 2026.

The plan, which covers a total area of 32 hectares, envisages the construction of twenty new buildings that will house classrooms, start-ups, a 1000-seat lecture hall and two university residences with approximately 500 beds; a 24-hectare forest will be preserved, while large trees will create a green connection between the buildings. There are also tree-lined pedestrian paths and a cycle-pedestrian connection between the Bovisa and Villapizzone railway stations. 

The goal is to achieve energy independence and zero CO2 emissions.2.

September is a bit line new year’s day

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"On these pages, we have talked about research and its many perspectives in Europe. We told about POP, the equal opportunities programme launched a few years ago. We gathered consensus around the initiatives we started together, such as the book Alumnae, No less important, we looked each other straight in the eye and shook hands on several occasions, such as the Convention... In short, I am 'like one of the family'” Rector Donatella Sciuto says on MAP 12 for her first editorial in her new role. "I must admit that when I decided to run for rector of this 160-year-old University, I thought long and hard about what I could add to an organisation that is already very well positioned both in Italy and worldwide, a University which had achieved international standards in its classrooms and laboratories and which is a point of reference for business and local innovation.

However, Politecnico’s women and men are used to always raise their expectation s and standards. "The Strategic Plan 2023-2025 is a compass with four cardinal points: people, education, research and social responsibility. A reminder of exactly what we are aiming for. Our mission is indeed to aim for sustainable and inclusive growth that enhances talent and skills. To make a significant impact on the social and cultural progress of our country. To strengthen the ethical dimension and make it the cornerstone of our work”.

Read the full editorial on MAP 12 and discover all members of the team that will lead Politecnico in the coming years

QS europe university rankings

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In the new QS University Ranking dedicated to Europe, the Politecnico di Milano achieves the 47th position, entering the Top 7% of the best universities (which are 690 in the ranking).

Moreover, the Politecnico is confirmed as the first university in Italy. This result was made possible by important factors that contributed to achieving this position. The University ranks among the best universities in Europe and first in Italy in terms of Employer Reputation, an indicator that assesses employers’ opinions on how universities train their graduates for the world of work.

The Politecnico is also awarded in Academic reputation an indicator based on the responses to a survey distributed to thousands of academics who drew up the list of the most authoritative universities in their scientific discipline.

These data confirm Politecnico di Milano's outstanding results, ranking among the world's top 20 universities in Design, Architecture and Engineering, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023 published last March. In Design and Architecture, it ranks 8th and 10th. In Engineering, it ranks in the top 20 worldwide, coming in at 18th position.

From the European Commission 1.5 million euros for 3 cutting-edge research projects

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Politecnico di Milano wins 3 ERC Starting Grants 3 young researchers from Politecnico di Milano win the prestigious European funding worth €1.5 million euros

HÈRMES, MINIONS and EOS: these acronyms sound like cartoon-like or mythological names, but they are the three research projects of excellence on which the young researchers at Politecnico di Milano — winners of the prestigious ERC (European Research Council) Starting Grants of €1.5 million over five years — will be working.

All three projects have applications in the biomedical world from fighting cancer using fluorescence and radiotherapy, to using bacteria as drug carriers. The research by Giulia Acconcia from DEIB (Department of Electronics, Information and Bioengineering) aims at revolutionising non-invasive measurement techniques to acquire 3D and 4D images in real time; Chiara Paganelli (also from DEIB) is developing new modelling approaches to revolutionise radiotherapy against localised tumours; Maria Paternò (Department of Physics) is making bacteria light-sensitive and is exploring the possibility of using them as drug carriers in parts of the body that are not easily accessible, such as the gastrointestinal tract.

"Our University celebrates with great satisfaction the brilliant achievement of our promising young researchers", comments Paolo Biscari, the Rector's Delegate for Talent Development. The acquisition of no less than three ERC Starting Grant projects, with a success rate in this call of 37.5%, well above the average success rate of these type of projects, confirms that the researchers recruited in recent years have already achieved independence and international excellence in research. In line with our Strategic Plan 2023-2025, supporting young scholars’ innovative and independent research is one of Politecnico di Milano's fundamental objectives”. The HÈRMES project (High-speed timE Resolved fluorescence iMaging with no pilE-up diStortion) aims to develop extremely sensitive light sensors for fluorescence-guided surgery. This technology will allow surgeons to intervene even on individual cells during the most delicate operations, such as removing brain tumours, thus minimising side effects on the patient.

Giulia Acconcia, who grew up in Spoleto, holds a Laurea Magistrale (MSc) degree in Electronics Engineering and a PhD in Information Technology from Politecnico di Milano, where she is currently senior researcher and assistant professor. MINIONS –(Patient-specific Microstructural and radIobiological model for persoNalised external beam radiation therapy in localised tumourS) proposes a new modelling approach for cancer treatment through patient-specific radiotherapy planning and adaptation. The model will allow the microscopic characteristics of the tumour and its interaction with the radiation beam to be taken into account, developing biology-guided radiation therapy for each patient. The project will have an impact across various fields, such as bioengineering, medical physics, radiobiology, radiology and oncology, towards developing biology-guided treatments that will increase patients' survival and quality of life.

Chiara Paganelli holds a PhD in Bioengineering from Politecnico di Milano, where she is now senior researcher and assistant professor. She works in the CartCasLab laboratory (https://www.cartcas.polimi.it/), where she carries out research related to MRI-guided radiotherapy. The EOS project (Engineering Of bacteria to See light) proposes a new strategy to make bacteria able to perceive light stimuli. Specifically, it couples bacteria with photosensitive materials that transform light energy into electrical energy, which the bacteria in turn use to perform biological processes, such as proliferation and movement. EOS will explore the possibility of using bacteria as light-driven drug carriers in parts of the body that are not easily accessible, such as the gastrointestinal tract.

Another important application is in the study and minimisation of antibiotic resistance. Giuseppe Maria Paternò holds a degree in Chemistry from the University of Catania and a PhD in Physics from University College London. He is currently senior researcher and assistant professor at Politecnico di Milano’s Physics Department. ERC Starting Grants are aimed at researchers who have held a PhD degree for at least two years up to a maximum of seven years. The aim is to enhance the creativity and excellence of European basic or frontier research and to invest in the best ideas by encouraging the quality and ambition of individual researchers. Individual funding can be up to 1.5 million euros for 5 years.