Sant'Anna Events

The Ifc-Cnr Institute of Clinical Physiology, Sant’Anna School Institute of BioRobotics, Sant’Anna School Institute of Lifesciences, “Gabriele Monasterio” Tuscany Foundation, University of Pisa and Aoup University Hospital of Pisa announce an agreement for collaboration to investigate the disorders of the autonomic nervous system and to develop tactile sensing devices for bionic hands through their new N2 Lab. The official launch of the new laboratory will take place Monday, May 14, 2018 in the Ifc-Cnr Campus. The joint laboratory is dedicated to microneurography and microneurostimulation.

The main research interests of N2 Lab are in the area of autonomic nervous system dysfunctions and in the development of bionic prosthesis capable of restoring sensory information.

The autonomic nervous system acts as an involuntary control system. It controls operations of most of the internal organs including the cardiovascular system, the digestive system, the respiratory tract and visceral functions. Researchers of the N2 Lab. will focus on the study of nervous system dysfunction as pathophysiological mechanism that causes cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and on the development of multidisciplinary approaches in the field of bioelectronics medicine (with a specific focus on determining which nerve fibers exert control, the types of signals those fibers use, and how these signals can be used to treat neurological and metabolic diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes). Scientists will perform a variety of techniques (implants, experimental surgical and bioelectronic systems for neural recording and stimulation) as part of a multidisciplinary team, bridging medical innovation with clinical research. The Bioelectronic medicine devices and nerve stimulating electrodes will be designed on the basis on Faraday cage- strategy, preventing all incoming and outgoing electrical charges.

As scientists have the basic molecular understanding of the mechanisms and the clinical trial results, the N2 Lab. bionic hands capable of restoring sensory information will be able to mimic the neural activity and the information content of mechanical receptors for tactile sensitivity through micro-stimulations by directly activating the relevant neurons in the brain.

Pierdomenico Perata, rector of Sant'Anna School: “This partnership for a new laboratory represents a significant opportunity to enable efficient translation of innovative bioelectronic medicine into clinical research in the area of Pisa. Our leading academics at the Institutes of Biorobotics and Lifesciences, through research and publication,will work with a multidisciplinary staff sharing scientific expertise and laboratory space. I believe that the combination of new technologies and clinic expertise will benefit institutions and, most importantly, patients suffering from neurological or cardiovascular disorders”.

Silvestro Micera, Sant'Anna School: “This collaboration is a real challenge to develop neuroprosthetics and bioelectronic devices to provide real-time processing of neuronal signals and therapies that will be more effective than drugs”.

Claudia Martini, deputy rector for research and innovation – University of Pisa: “In the early 2000s, it was at the University of Pisa that Professor Stefano Taddei founded a microneurography laboratory at the Department of Internal Medicine. Today, we announce the new N2Lab to support our efforts to upgrade and modernise our processes. The lab. leads the way in promoting new synergies and novel cross-disciplinary research”.

 Stefano Taddei and Rosa Maria Bruno, University of Pisa: “Microneurography provides valuable information on the sympathetic nervous system in humans. The method detects disease characteristics and pathophysiological mechanisms. As obesity (characterized by abnormalities in sympathetic cardiovascular control) represents a risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, myocardial ischemic disease, and cardiac arrhythmias, the microneurography method represents a useful tool to investigate directly identified neural mechanisms of autonomic regulation, motor control and sensory functions under physiological and pathological conditions”.

Professor Alberto Di Minin of the Institute of Management at Sant’Anna School has organized a conference to discuss upcoming disruptions to the employment landscape. Sant’Anna School students, young professionals, professor Di Minin and Giulio Ferrigno, Research Fellow at Sant’Anna School Institute of Management together with Tuscany Rotaract members from Distretto Rotaract 2071 participated in the conference on the profound changes in the world of work driven by globalization and technological innovation.

Over the past decade, in addition to the quantity of jobs, we have witnessed disruptive changes to industries and business models affecting the skills requirements and content of many jobs. Overall, there are widespread concerns regarding the impact of these social and economic transformations. The strongest employment growth is expected to come from artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, Industry 4.0 and the application of Big Data analytics. Similarly, there will be a fast-growing need for skilled technicians and specialists to create and manage advanced and automated production systems.

More than 40 people attended the event. It was divided into eight sessions focused on the Sole 24 Ore newspaper articles published in 2017, as follows:

• La svolta hi-tech cambia il mercato del lavoro, Francesca Barbieri, 18 Dicembre 2017;
• Ora i robot insidiano anche le professioni, Marco Magnani, 3 Dicembre 2017;
• Creatività, una competenza di cui non potremo più fare a meno, Francesca Contardi, 1 Dicembre 2017;
• Multinazionali sulla via del ritorno, Laura Cavestri, 7 Ottobre 2016;
• Cogito, ergo capisco come voi umani, Luca De Biase, 27 Agosto 2017;
• Dagli avvocati ai notai, perché l’intelligenza artificiale cambierà la vita dei professionisti, Alberto Magnani, 23 Ottobre 2017;
• Come cambia il lavoro in banca nell’era digitale, meno occupati e più donne, Nicola Barone, 18 Dicembre 2017;
• Se il digitale è al servizio del «fatto bene», Luca De Biase, 12 Novembre 2017.

The goal of these interactive discussions was to contribute to the Future of Work initiative from the young workers’ perspective and debating possible education responses as a means to provide opportunities in a range of job categories: traditional roles (employee, shop assistant, cook and waiter, nursing professional, technician), newly emerging roles (blockchain and privacy specialist, artificial intelligence expert, digital media specialist) and the “most difficult to find” technicians in ICT, physics, chemistry and engineering.

Other specialties mentioned included new office roles for automated work processes. A particular need is seen in industries and companies for highly skilled (hard and soft skills) managers who will work through the upcoming change with curiosity, open mindedness, emotional intelligence, adaptability and creativity.

Along the sale line, the financial and legal services sector will also undergo a significant shift, with employment growth for data analysis and information security professionals. One thing seems certain - we can expect a decrease in demand for traditional roles.