The Institute for Translational Research Annual Report published

Less than a year since its foundation on 1 July 2025, the Institute for Translational Research (IRT) — created by Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC) and Università della Svizzera italiana (USI) — has successfully set up its new structure.

The Institute has set up four dedicated Divisions focusing on cardiology, neurology, regenerative medicine, and gastrointestinal inflammatory responses and the microbiota. Each Division is further divided into several research groups focused on specific areas of investigation:

• Cardiovascular theranostics (methods that are simultaneously diagnostic and therapeutic to treat heart diseases);
• Cardio-renal research (the relationships between kidney and heart pathologies);
• Dynamics between the organism and the microbiota;
• Hepatology;
• Neurodegenerative diseases;
• Tissue regeneration technologies;
• Ageing of blood vessels;
• Tumour microenvironment.

A detailed overview of the Institute's framework and its "development philosophy" can be found in the Annual Report, which has just been published in print and is also available digitally on the new IRT website: www.irt.usi-eoc.ch

Jointly managed on a 50-50 basis by the EOC and USI, the IRT (which "inherited" the Translational Research Laboratories launched by Ente ospedaliero in 2021) has now become a leading player in scientific research in Ticino. It strengthens Bellinzona's biomedical hub, which already boasts two highly valuable structures affiliated with USI (but autonomously managed): the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), primarily focused on immunology and infectious diseases, and the Institute of Oncology Research (IOR). The three institutes — which share premises and much of their equipment in the Bios+ building at via Francesco Chiesa 5 in Bellinzona — have launched a wide range of mutual collaborations and will inevitably converge towards a shared strategic vision.

As its name suggests, the IRT focuses on translational studies, meaning research designed to be transferred from laboratory benches to patients' bedsides within a reasonably short timeframe. This transition is, in fact, already taking place within the IRT: the Neuroscience Division, headed by Professor Giorgia Melli, is in daily contact with Ospedale Regionale di Lugano, providing diagnostic services for patients through skin biopsies. Similarly, Professor Thomas Greuter, director of a new research group launching in the second half of 2026, maintains an intensive clinical workload in direct patient care, having served (since May 2025) as Head of the Gastroenterology and Hepatology Service at the EOC in Lugano. The IRT's ambition is to broaden this translational approach as much as possible by attracting new researchers and expertise. "The creation of the IRT is the beginning of a journey. We want to complement other institutes in Ticino, not compete with them," explains Alain Kaelin, head of the IRT, as well as director of Istituto di Neuroscienze cliniche (EOC) and full professor at USI.

Giovanni Pedrazzini, Dean of the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, points out: "While each maintains its own autonomy, it is crucial that there is a common strategic vision between the IRT, IRB, and IOR."

Pedrazzini has already taken steps to initiate a series of encounters between the leaders of the three institutes, finding a broad willingness to engage in dialogue. "On this path," the Dean continues, "USI will play an active role, with the Faculty of Biomedical Sciences on the front line. In any case, everyone agrees that we must act with determination, setting a series of precise deadlines to establish a strategic plan for what we wish to pursue with biomedical research in Ticino."

In this process of convergence, alongside USI, IOR, and IRB, "we must also involve," adds Alessandro Ceschi, Head of the Medical Education and Research Area of the EOC General Management, "Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale as a whole (beyond the IRT) and with it clinical research. However, it will also be useful to evaluate extending this to the Department of Innovative Technologies (DTI) and the Institute of Digital Technologies for Personalised Healthcare (MeDiTech) at SUPSI, as well as to other centres in Southern Switzerland involved in biomedical research. The model to follow," Professor Ceschi continues, "could be the one that led to the creation of a consortium in recent months to apply for the call launched by the Swiss National Science Foundation for the creation of new National Centres of Competence in Research (NCCR)."

Giovanni Pedrazzini confirms: "It would be a serious mistake to throw away all the work done for the NCCR bid (even though the National Science Foundation committee did not ultimately select the Ticino project, for a series of reasons that need to be carefully examined and which, in any case, do not call into question the scientific value of the proposal). Ultimately, it was a sort of dress rehearsal: the premise for a new project and fresh reflection."

But towards which common "area" should Ticino's biomedical research converge? "The unifying theme (the common thread connecting the various institutes)," says Ceschi, "could remain the one chosen for the NCCR application: Ageing, meaning studies on ageing (essentially, how to age better). This intersects in various forms across almost all research groups at IRB, IOR, and IRT, and is particularly topical in our canton, which is one of the regions with the highest average life expectancy in Europe."

The convergence of the various Institutes of Ticino into a "single hub" would also be highly expedient for facilitating fundraising, which is becoming increasingly difficult in times like these, marked by major international uncertainties and budget cuts at both federal and cantonal levels. The model planned for the IRT, as well as for the other entities, combines public funds (University and Canton) with competitive funding (particularly from the National Science Foundation, which, unfortunately, will not be increased). Consequently, contributions from foundations and other philanthropic organisations are becoming ever more essential; over the past twenty years, they have played a decisive role in the birth and development of Bellinzona's biomedical institutes.

"Obviously, we must not 'steal' existing resources from one another," Ceschi points out. "We are working to bring in something extra as (fundamental) support for the new IRT, without this being to the detriment of IRB and IOR. Needless to say, it is a challenging puzzle, and we are working hard to figure it out."

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The new scientific committee – To guarantee the scientific quality of the IRT, an international board has just been established. It consists of five high-level experts, each dedicated to one of the Institute's main research areas: Alexandra Calmy (University of Geneva), Giovanni G. Camici (University of Zurich), Laurence Zitvogel (Université Paris-Saclay), Ivan Martin (University of Basel), and Ahmet Hoke (Johns Hopkins University). Their role will be advisory but direct: they will report their opinions on the Institute's management to the Joint USI-EOC Committee (which governs the IRT). "We want a constant scientific evaluation," concludes Alain Kaelin, "even a critical one if necessary. It is the only way to truly grow, ensure scientific quality, and aim decisively for excellence."

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For further information: Institute for Translational Research USI-EOC (IRT)