The Summer School, held from September 9th to 13th, at the Università della Tuscia in Viterbo, brought together the best of the Biotech Academy in Rome for an intensive week of cutting-edge biotechnology education. This second edition was designed to provide a dynamic and professional learning environment for biotechnologists, researchers, and students keen to deepen their expertise and practical skills in biotech. With a comprehensive curriculum, attendees had the unique chance to learn from top professionals, interact with leading international biotech companies, and experience immersive hands-on training.

Monday, September 9th:The week began with an insightful Bioprocessing Course, focusing on an introduction to upstream processing, both theoretically and practically. Dr. Alfredo Martinez expertly guided participants through the fundamentals of bioprocessing, ensuring a solid foundation for understanding upstream biotechnology.

Tuesday, September 10th: The learning journey continued with an innovative GMP Course in Virtual Reality led by Dr. Leonardo Sibilio. Attendees experienced an immersive blend of theoretical knowledge and practical engagement using virtual reality technology, allowing them to explore Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) in a highly interactive manner.

Wednesday, September 11th: The morning session featured a course on Tangential Flow Filtration (TFF), taught by Dr. Zoltan Gulyas. This session covered both theoretical aspects and practical applications, providing participants with hands-on experience in TFF, a key technology in bioprocessing. Later in the day, Dr. Alessandro Manni conducted a specialized **GMP Inspections Course, focusing on the theoretical underpinnings of regulatory inspections and compliance within the biotech sector.

Thursday, September 12th: Two courses were offered. Dr. Renato Lorenzi presented a session on Sterilizing Grade Filtration and Filter Integrity Testing, emphasizing both theory and practice, giving participants an in-depth understanding of filtration standards crucial for biopharmaceutical production. Concurrently, Eng. Gianni Ponzo delivered a course on Design, Qualification, and Management of Water and Steam Systems in the pharmaceutical industry, providing essential insights into these critical utilities and their role in manufacturing processes.

Friday, September 13th: The final day offered two exciting learning opportunities. Dr. Valerio Branchi led a Science Communication Course, focusing on how to effectively convey complex biotech information to diverse audiences—a vital skill for scientists and researchers. Additionally, an online session on Introduction to R and Bulk RNAseq Data Analysis, led by Dr. Andrea Conidi, introduced participants to bioinformatics tools and techniques, equipping them with knowledge of R programming and data analysis for RNA sequencing.

Throughout the week, participants experienced a rare chance to engage directly with leaders in the biopharmaceutical world, expanding both their theoretical understanding and practical expertise in a series of thoughtfully crafted courses. With a mix of hands-on sessions, state-of-the-art technologies, and invaluable networking opportunities, this Summer School stood out as a significant learning experience for all attendees, blending education, industry insight, and professional growth in a unique and challenging format.

Ieri, il nostro Presidente, Dr. Valerio Branchi, ha inaugurato assieme al Segretario Generale Min. Antonella Cavallari e l’Ambasciatore del Cile S.E. Ennio Vivaldi, presso l’Istituto Italo-Latinoamericano IILA-Organizzazione Internazionale Italo-latino americana la prima tavola rotonda sul Biotech tra Italia e America Latina, evento realizzato in collaborazione con la , che ha permesso di esplorare le nuove frontiere della biotecnologia e delle scienze della vita, mettendo in luce le prospettive e le opportunità per lo sviluppo e la formazione nel settore biotech. È stata un’occasione preziosa per favorire lo scambio di conoscenze, esperienze e opportunità di collaborazione tra accademici, ricercatori, professionisti, politici e diplomatici di rilievo internazionale, grazie ai due tavoli di lavoro magistralmente diretti dal Moderatore, Dr. Gianfranco Anzini, uno tra i più importanti documentaristi scientifici del panorama televisivo italiano, con la partecipazione del Cons. Basilio Antonio Toth della DGPS del Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale, della Direttrice Generale, Dr.ssa Maria Cristina Porta, della Fondazione ENEA Tech e Biomedical, del CEO della Biotech Academy in Rome, Dr. Leonardo Sibilio, del Presidente della Fondazione dell’Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Dr. Alessandro Pernigo e alcuni importanti laboratori bio farmaceutici, come mAbxience in collegamento dall’Argentina con il Dr. Lucas Filgueira Risso e il CEO di Takis Biotech Dr. Luigi Aurisicchio e la Presidente dell’IBI – Istituto Biochimico Italiano Giovanni Lorenzini S.p.a. Dr.ssa Camilla Borghese Kevenhüller, in sala.

“L’evento si è proposto di essere un’importante piattaforma di dialogo e collaborazione tra Italia e America Latina nel campo della biotecnologia e delle scienze della vita, favorendo lo scambio di conoscenze, esperienze e opportunità di sviluppo e formazione nel settore biotech”, ha dichiarato il Segretario Tecnico Scientifico, Dr.ssa Tatiana Ribeiro Viana riscuotendo un enorme successo e interesse con la partecipazione di oltre 20 alti funzionari e Ambasciatori dei paesi membri, una importante presenza di rappresentanti del mondo biotech e farmaceutico internazionale e più di 60 collegamenti via zoom da tutti i paesi dell’America Latina.

We successfully wrapped up our “Contamination Control Strategy in Light of Annex 1” course today, thanks to Prof. Igor Gorsky insightful exploration of the latest Annex 1 information. The sponsors’ presentations enhanced our understanding of Pharma Integration PAT Way Solutions and F.P.S. Food Pharma Systems srl contributing to a highly successful conclusion.

Our Summer School provided a distinctive opportunity for participants to engage in learning, exploration, and networking in the beautiful city of Viterbo. Seasoned instructors and industry experts were on hand, guiding our students at every juncture, ensuring a truly transformative educational experience.

Practical qPCR Training Course:

Students delved into the fundamentals, mastered the intricacies of experimental setup, and honed their skills in analyzing real-time data. They gained valuable insights into the practical applications of qPCR and its profound significance across various domains within biotechnology, all under the expert tutelage of Saba Khan, Director at Tiger Team Lab.

Design of Experiment:

Participants unleashed their scientific creativity during our interactive Design of Experiment (DoE) session. They engaged in thought-provoking exercises that served to challenge their problem-solving prowess, enabling them to discover the art of optimizing experiments, analyzing variables, and attaining meaningful results. The session was expertly led by Ronan O’Kennedy, Owner of ROK Consulting.

Virtual Reality Gene Therapy Experience:

In an immersive experience powered by cutting-edge Virtual Reality (VR) technology, students embarked on a journey into a state-of-the-art Gene Therapy facility. Here, they witnessed firsthand the development and production of gene therapies, thus expanding their understanding of this groundbreaking field and its potential to revolutionize the field of medicine. Guiding them through this remarkable experience was Leonardo Sibilio, CEO of Biotech Academy in Rome.“