The National Center Unveils a New Imaging Facility

16 December 2025, Padua — A new chapter in Italian biomedical research opened today at the Vallisneri Scientific Complex of the University of Padua, where a dedicated seminar introduced the latest facility of the National Center. The event highlighted the collaboration with Miltenyi Biotec, the company that supplied two of the main instruments for the new facility, made possible thanks to the financial support of the National Center.

The seminar titled, Next-Gen 3D and Spatial Imaging for Biomedical Discovery, held in person and online, welcomed nearly 100 researchers and technicians interested in learning more about the latest technologies that are accelerating the progress in gene therapy and RNA-based treatments. The seminar expanded on the value of spatial imaging, explaining how it allows scientists not only to see what is present in a tissue but also where it is located, how large it is, and how it interacts with its surroundings. This context is essential for understanding diseases such as cancer, neurodegenerative disorders and many more.

The seminar opened with greetings and an overview of the facility from Prof. Rosario Rizzuto, President of the National Center, who described the strategic importance of the new infrastructure for strengthening national and international research efforts.

The seminar then presented the facility’s two new platforms. The MACSima™ Imaging System, which enables researchers to visualize hundreds of molecules within the same tissue sample, while preserving their natural arrangement. This powerful approach helps clarify how different cells communicate and how therapies can focus on the right targets. The system also supports combined analysis of proteins and RNA on the same tissue section, offering a clearer picture of how diseases develop.

Followed by an introduction of the UltraMicroscope Blaze™, a next-generation light-sheet microscope capable of producing detailed three-dimensional images of large biological samples, from individual organs to entire small animal models. Its advanced optics, automated features, and high-resolution capabilities make it possible to reconstruct complex structures such as blood vessels, neural pathways, and tumor architecture, providing insights that guide the development of safer and more precise therapies.

Speakers Agnese Tognati, Ilaria Iosue, and Stefano Abbiati from Miltenyi Biotec presented real-world applications of both systems, followed by a preview of the first images generated by early users. The event concluded with Prof. Diego De Stefani, who provided information on how researchers can access the facility and take advantage of its resources.

For the National Center, the new imaging facility represents a strategic investment in technological infrastructure and future therapies. By supporting the acquisition of these advanced systems, the National Center continues to strengthen Italy’s capacity to develop increasingly precise and personalized treatments for cancer, neurological conditions, and rare diseases.