Department of Chemical Sciences – Research Projects
Scientific research and innovation for the future of chemical sciences
The Department of Chemical Sciences (DSC) of the University of Catania promotes advanced research activities in the fields of chemistry, materials science, nanotechnology, diagnostics, environmental sustainability, and life sciences.
Ongoing projects include national and European funding schemes such as PNRR, Horizon Europe, PRIN, and collaborations with research institutions and industry partners, contributing to the growth of a multidisciplinary and international scientific community.
This page provides an overview of active and recently completed projects, including the following information for each initiative:
- Project title
- Principal Investigator
- ERC Area / Scientific Sector
- Start and end date
These details ensure traceability, transparency, and compliance with AVA3 quality assurance criteria.
Thematic Areas
LS1 – LS9 | Life Sciences
- Molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases
- Development of advanced diagnostic platforms
- Studies on proteins, peptides, metabolites, and solute carriers
- Technologies for food safety and human health
PE4 – PE5 | Physical Sciences, Chemistry, Materials and Nanotechnology
- Catalysis and environmental sustainability
- Laser technologies and advanced spectroscopy
- Novel nano- and bio-hybrid platforms
- Smart materials, sensors, and innovative devices
PNRR, Horizon and PRIN Projects
- Digitalization and precision medicine
- Sustainable technologies and green chemistry
- Advanced devices and photonics
- Agrifood and food safety
Research Projects
LS1 – Molecular Biology and Biochemistry
| Project | Principal Investigator | Objective / Topic | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| FRASTUCA Project – FRom A modeling STUdy to a Comprehensive Explorative Approach | Gianluca Cosimo Fortuna | Computational study of bioactive compounds derived from pistachio matrices | 05/10/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| Functional and Structural Properties of Proteasome Populations | Alessandro D’Urso | Implications in neurodegenerative processes | 05/10/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
LS7 – Neuroscience and Human Diseases
| Project | Principal Investigator | Objective / Topic | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Aggregation of Beta-Amyloid Peptides | Giuseppe Grasso | Multi-level investigation of Alzheimer’s pathogenic mechanisms | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| APTAMERS – Anticancer Photodynamic Treatment Using Aptamers | Alessandro D’Urso | Photodynamic therapy for advanced oncological surgery | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| Splat-G – Supramolecular Platform to Target Glioblastoma | Graziella Vecchio | Supramolecular targeting strategies for glioblastoma treatment | 16/10/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
LS9 – Biotechnology and Biosystems
| Project | Principal Investigator | Objective / Topic | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| TECH4PATH – Non-thermal Technologies for Pathogen Inactivation | Valentina Siracusa | Non-thermal technologies for food safety applications | 12/10/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
PE4 – Chemistry, Materials Science and Nanotechnology
| Project | Principal Investigator | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Decoupled Production of Solar Fuels | Antonino Licciardello | 30/11/2023 – 29/11/2025 |
| Hybrid Catalysis for Air Pollutant Removal and CO₂ Valorization | Roberto Fiorenza | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| ELATED – Enhanced Laser Spectroscopy for Autism Diagnosis | Giuseppe Romano Compagnini | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| ROBERTA – Real Eco Sustainable Green Total Index | Salvatore Barreca | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| GrASs – Green Protein-Based Nanohybrids | Giovanni Calogero Li Destri Nicosia | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| LANCIA – Laser Ablation & Plasmonic Nanostructures | Giuseppe Romano Compagnini | 28/09/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| Reconfigurable Low-Dimensional Nano-Structures at Liquid Interfaces | Giovanni Calogero Li Destri Nicosia | 28/09/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| MEET – Mechanism Enhanced ECL Technology | Antonino Licciardello | 28/09/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
PE5 – Chemical Technology, Advanced Materials and Process Engineering
| Project | Principal Investigator | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| 3DVOCE – 3D Printed VOC Sensors | Valentina Oliveri | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| Old but Gold – Molecular Platforms for Active Aging | Vera Muccilli | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| CoMu4CaT – Collaborative Multi-Nanozyme Platform for Cancer Theranostics | Cristina Satriano | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| SMALL – Small Molecule Anticancer Ligands Library | Serena Riela | 30/11/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
| NESTOR – New Metal-Based Agents Against Orphan Tumors | Valentina Oliveri | 16/10/2023 – 28/02/2026 |
European Projects – Horizon / PNRR / ERC / EISMEA
| Project | Principal Investigator | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| ERMES – Horizon 2024 (G.A. 101185661) | Nunzio Tuccitto | 01/04/2025 – 31/03/2025 |
| GENESIS – Horizon-JU Project 101194246 | Salvatore Barreca | 01/05/2025 – 30/04/2028 |
| EONANOBIOPS – Essential Oil-Derived Nano-Biopesticides | Serena Riela | 03/07/2025 – 02/07/2028 |
| BEST-DRESS – NextGenerationEU ECS_00000024 | Grazia Maria Lucia Messina | 28/06/2024 – 31/10/2025 |
| SUPERMOL – PNRR NEST | Nunzio Tuccitto | 01/10/2024 – 31/10/2025 |
| VerSiLiB – EISMEA | Giuseppe Spoto | Deadline 31/03/2026 |
| DI-DIDA – INBB | Giuseppe Spoto | 01/10/2023 – 30/09/2027 |
PRIN 2017 – Historical Projects
(Detailed list available upon request)
Other Strategic Projects
Additional national and international strategic research initiatives are ongoing within the Department.
