Scientific projects

Basic research initiatives are important for the understanding and treatment of infectious diseases. Researchers in our Institute work to discover the unknown surrounding human diseases, with the aim to define pathogenesis and host immune reaction.

Program activities in Basic Research include:

• Advanced diagnostic procedures for detection of microbial infection
• Genetics of mycobacteria
• Immune correlates of metabolic and degenerative conditions and inherited coagulopathies
• Immunological bases of tolerance and rejection in organ transplantation
• Immunology and pathogenesis of HIV infection
• Molecular approaches to tailor therapy of infections driven by resistant bacteria, fungi and viruses
• Pathogenesis of bacterial, fungal and viral infections

Clinical research in our Institute paves the way for the effective treatment of different infectious diseases in immunocompromised host.
Our researchers test new diagnostics, vaccines, medications and therapies to combat the spread of infectious diseases and treat the symptoms.

Program activities in Clinical Research include:

• Antimicrobial evaluation
• Bone, joint and surgical site infections
• Healthcare epidemiology and infection control
• HIV clinical research
• HIV-related tumors, tumor-associated immunosuppression and virus reactivation
• Invasive infections (sepsis program, endocarditis program)
• Tuberculosis and mycobacterial infections program

The MACH aspires to create high-profile and stable partnerships with stakeholders who are on the forefront of health and relate to MACH’s mission, on a national and international level. First of all, collaboration with local, national and international public health institutions that manage broad health policies, will be sought. The MACH will establish links with those institutions and contribute, through analysis of evidence and translation into policy options, to the development of health policies that benefit all citizens. Furthermore, collaboration with pharmaceutical companies and medical device manufacturers will be encouraged, in compliance with MACH’s autonomy, in order to promote advancements in scientific knowledge. The MACH also aims at collaborating with universities in Italy and worldwide in the design of educational programmes focused on healthy behaviours and building understanding of global and local health issues among all citizens.

Finally, the MACH is fully committed to work in harmony with the other institutions in Italy that prioritize health and global health issues in the attempt to raise the profile of the Country in this field. It is a conviction of the MACH leadership that Italy could contribute in a more intensive and well-coordinated fashion to the international efforts aiming at improving access to health solutions and innovations. The MACH will therefore promote collaboration and knowledge exchange with all those institutions sharing the same vision.

Global health research is a programme that explores innovative ways of handling complex public health problems, embracing innovations in technology and epidemiological understanding, and exploring implementation challenges. The programme works with experts from partner institutions in Italy and world-wide and focuses on priority conditions in infectious diseases and beyond, determinants of health, and innovations in delivery of care and prevention.

MACH’s research priorities in Global health include:

• Innovations and new technologies in the response to major killers like tuberculosis, HIV and HPV
• Antimicrobial resistance and response
• Epidemiological and economic research and modelling for better policies
• Poverty, migration and vulnerability as socio-economic determinants of access to health
• Translation of technological advances into policy and practice