EKIDNA

In the field of biomedicine, the border regions between Italy and Austria are characterised by scientific excellence of international importance, with leading research centres in the identification of the genetic basis of common diseases. This is a fundamental aspect for the identification of therapeutic targets useful for prevention and treatment.
At the same time, these regions are marked by growing scepticism towards biomedical innovation for human health, as demonstrated by increasing reluctance towards vaccinations and a general propensity to resort to natural treatments not supported by scientific evidence.

It is in this context that the EKIDNA project was born, with the aim of raising the level of scientific excellence in South Tyrol (BZ), Land Tirol (TIR) and Friuli-Venezia Giulia (FVG), involving high school students (the citizens of the future) as scientific partners, to create an innovative model of 'citizen science' based on two-way, sustainable knowledge transfer.

The project will create an 'integrated citizen-scientist platform to enhance knowledge in DNA research for human health' (EKIDNA), with the aim of responding to the dual need to strengthen technology-based biomedical research in the three regions involved and to increase the scientific culture of the population, placing citizens at the centre of the knowledge acquisition process.