Full Vision and Mission

The Department of Biomedical Sciences (DSB) of the University of Padua is a national and international reference point for experimental and translational biomedicine. The Department integrates expertise in biochemistry, physiology, general pathology, molecular biology, neuroscience, oncology, immunology, and movement sciences, creating a multidisciplinary environment that connects biomedical research and technological advances. With state-of-the-art scientific infrastructures and a strong international outlook, the DSB fosters the development of innovative knowledge and the training of scientists and health professionals capable of addressing the challenges of contemporary medicine.

The mission of the DSB is to generate, disseminate, and enhance knowledge in the life sciences, fostering the integration of research, teaching, and technology transfer. The Department is committed to promoting high-quality, updated, and innovative teaching that combines basic science and applied research with curricular and extracurricular laboratory experiences. The DSB runs its own degree programmes, master’s programmes, and a doctoral school, enriched by interdisciplinary activities, English-taught courses, and international opportunities. Student development is supported by a dynamic educational environment that encourages active learning, collaboration, and the acquisition of transversal skills required for professional and academic careers.

The vision of the DSB is to strengthen its role as a scientific and educational hub of excellence in translational medicine. The Department integrates molecular research, pathophysiology, neuroscience, oncology, movement sciences and biomedical technologies, pursuing a multidisciplinary approach that spans from the molecule to the whole organism. In this context, the DSB is recognized as a leading center in the study of muscle, mitochondria, metabolism and health, while also promoting significant advances in neuroscience, cancer biology and immunology, thus contributing to an integrated understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms and to the development of novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The DSB also values collaboration with other Departments and Schools of the University, in order to strengthen a synergistic and system-wide approach to the challenges of medicine and health.

In parallel, the DSB promotes technology transfer and innovation through patents, spin-offs and partnerships with industry, contributing to the transformation of research outcomes into tangible solutions for medicine and society. The Department has a proven capacity to attract competitive funding from national and European programs (PNRR, Horizon Europe, ERC), ensuring scientific solidity and sustainability. Research infrastructures are organized as shared platforms, accessible to both internal and external groups, fostering interdisciplinary and interdepartmental collaborations. Social responsibility is an integral part of its mission: the Department maintains a constant dialogue with the local community, promotes public engagement, and invests in lifelong learning and the dissemination of scientific culture. Particular attention is devoted to environmental sustainability and the promotion of equal opportunities, in line with the values of the University and European priorities. The DSB also promotes continuous training of its researchers, faculty and technical-administrative staff as an essential element to ensure long-term quality and sustainability.

The DSB also boasts a tradition of excellence, as demonstrated by the contribution of internationally renowned scientists who have worked or trained within its structures. This legacy represents a cultural and academic heritage that continues to inspire research, teaching, and the training of future generations, consolidating the role of the Department as a key player in the global scientific and educational landscape.

Values of the Department of Biomedical Sciences

• Integrated multidisciplinarity: Expertise in biochemistry, physiology, neuroscience, oncology, immunology, movement sciences, and molecular biology, ensuring an approach that spans from basic research to clinical applications.
• Scientific excellence in key areas: Cutting-edge research on muscle, mitochondria, metabolism, neuroscience, and cancer biology, positioning the DSB among leading centers in biomedicine.
• Innovation and technology transfer: Patents, spin-offs, and industrial partnerships that transform research into concrete solutions for medicine and society.
• Advanced, hands-on, and interdisciplinary training: Degree programmes, master’s programmes, and a doctoral school that combine theoretical teaching with practical laboratory activities, fostering experiential and interdisciplinary learning.
• Internationalization: English-taught courses, student exchanges, and collaborations with top universities worldwide, shaping an open and multicultural academic community.
• State-of-the-art infrastructures: Facilities for advanced imaging, spatial transcriptomics, high-throughput screening, and innovative cellular models, supporting interdisciplinary research at a global level.
• Social responsibility and community dialogue: Public engagement, lifelong learning, and partnerships with institutions, schools, and enterprises for a concrete impact on health, well-being, and cultural growth.
• Ethics, integrity, and inclusion: Foundational principles guiding research, teaching, and internal relations, ensuring a fair and transparent environment.
• Scientific and institutional communication: An active and transparent communication policy to disseminate research results, training opportunities, and third mission initiatives.