B@R2026 Provisional Program
Last updated: May 10th 2026
Day 1

May 13, 2026

Venue: ArTov, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, Rome (IT)
Theme: Peace
09:00 - 9:20

Registration

Welcome desk and badge collection.

Check-in
09:25–09:30

Welcoming Speech

Dr. Simone Dinarelli (CNR-ISM)

Opening
09:30–10:00

Opening Speech - Scientists’ responsibility in a world at 85s from Doomsday Clock

Dr. Francesco Lenci (Unione Scienziati per il Disarmo)

Opening
10:00–10:05

Session: Challenges in Biophysics

Introduction by Chairs Dr. Valentina Mussi (CNR-IMM) and Dr. Marco Girasole (CNR-ISM)

10:05–10:45

Plenary Lecture - Challenges in Understanding the Synergistic Interactions of Antimicrobial Peptides in Membranes

Prof. Burkhard Bechinger (University of Strasbourg)

Plenary
10:45–11:15

Key Speaker - When a drop of blood meets biophysics: diagnosis of celiac disease with circulating microRNAs by Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical sensing

Dr. Andrea Masotti (Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital-IRCCS, Research Laboratories)

Keynote
11:15–11:45

Key Speaker - Not Junk, just Charme: dark matter rules muscle biology

Dr. Monica Ballarino (Sapienza Università di Roma)

Keynote
11:45–12:00

Open discussion

Moderated discussion with speakers, Chair and audience.

Discussion
12:00–13:30

Lunch

Lunch break.

Break
13:30–14:00

Flash talks

Selected poster highlights.

Nicole MarroccoMultimodal Characterization of β-Amyloid Plaques: XPCT, XRF, and Raman Spectroscopy in Alzheimer's Mouse Model
Roma Tre University, Dip. Scienze, Italy

Francesca MazzottaCryoEM to exploring peptide self-assembly behavior based on LEGO-like interactions
Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Mainz, Germany

Giuseppe GiaquintoUnraveling the Synergistic Mechanism of Magainin 2 and PGLa: A Biophysical Approach from Model Bilayers to Live E. coli Cells
Department of Chemical Science and Technologies, Tor Vergata University of Rome

Martina PacificiAZE-Induced Protein Misfolding in CHO Cells detected by FT-IR micro-spectroscopy
Dipartimento di Scienze Ecologiche e Biologiche, Università della Tuscia, Viterbo

Simone BonacorsiChannel-size enlarging strategy for liposome production scale-up: A simplified approach
Department of Drug Chemistry and Technologies, Sapienza University of Rome

Flash talks
14:00–14:05

Session: Technology’s Impact in Biophysics

Introduction by chairs: Dr. Francesca Romana Bertani (CNR-IFN) and Dr. Luca Businaro (CNR-IFN)

14:05–14:45

Plenary Lecture - Probing biomolecules and their interactions with plasmonic nanosensors

Prof. Claudia Fasolato (Dip. di Fisica, Sapienza Università di Roma)

Plenary
14:45–15:15

Key Speaker - Digital Twins for All: Bridging Multiscale Simulation and Responsible AI in Precision Medicine

Dr. Davide Cirillo (Barcelona Supercomputing Center)

Keynote
15:15–15:45

Key Speaker - The Two AIs: From Single-Shot Hallucinations to Agentic Scientific Workflows

Dr. David Vagni (IRIB, CNR)

Keynote
15:45–16:00

Open discussion

Moderated discussion with speakers and audience.

Discussion
16:00–16:30

Flash talks

Selected poster highlights.

Angela CapocefaloMolecular interface of gold nanoparticles drives amyloid fibril disaggregation
Physics Department, Sapienza University of Rome

Cristian BrandiDevelopment of a microfluidic device for 3D-control of microparticles through dielectrophoresis (DEP)
Department of Civil Engineering and Computer Science, University of Tor Vergata

Domenica MusumeciInhibition of the pathological activity of the protein HMGB1 through the development of G-quadruplex DNA-based aptamers
Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, Naples

Ebin JosephA Bio-Electronic Hybrid Solid–Liquid Pixelated Color Image Sensor Array as a Direct-to-Display Artificial Retina Emulator
Department of Electronic Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata

Giovanna ZimatoreEye-tracking correlates of visual perception of vandalized cultural heritage and anthropized landscapes in young adults
Department of Theoretical and Applied Sciences, eCampus University, Novedrate

Michael Di GioacchinoCombining Ultrasound and Raman Data for Explainable Machine Learning-Based Thyroid Cancer Diagnosis from Cytological Samples
Dipartimento di Scienze, Università degli Studi Roma Tre, Roma

Tiziana ManciniMOF-based IR optical platform as next-gen biosensors for sensitive and specific airborne pathogen monitoring
Physics Department of Sapienza University of Rome, Rome

Flash talks
16:30–18:00

Poster Session + Coffee Break & Beer

Networking and informal discussion.

Poster Break
Day 2

May 14, 2026

Venue: ArTov, Via del Fosso del Cavaliere 100, Rome (IT)
Theme: Cooperation
09:30–09:25

Registration and welcome coffee

Welcome desk and badge collection.

Check-in
09:25–09:30

Wecoming speech -

Dr. Annamaria Gerardino (CNR-IFN)

Opening
09:30–10:00

Opening Speech -

“EMBL - Europe's Life Sciences Research Institution”Prof. Cornelius Gross (EMBL)

Opening
10:00–10:05

Session: Future Directions in Biophysics

Intoduction by Chairs: Prof. Daniela Roversi (Univ. Rome Tor Vergata) and Prof. Blasco Morozzo (Univ. Rome Tor Vergata)

10:05–10:45

Plenary Lecture - Bridge over troubled waters - overcoming the gap between biophysical membrane models and biological function

Prof. Heiko Heerklotz (University of Freiburg)

Plenary
10:45–11:15

Key Speaker - From macro to nano stimulation: controlling activity in the cerebral cortex

Prof. Mavi Sánchez-Vives IDIBAPS (Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer) Barcellona - Spagna

Keynote
11:15–11:45

Key Speaker - Insights into planetary habitability through laboratory simulations and space exposure experiments

Prof. Daniela Billi (Università di Roma Tor Vergata)

Keynote
11:45–12:00

Open discussion

Moderated discussion with speakers and audience.

Discussion
12:00–13:30

Lunch

Lunch break.

Break
13:30–14:00

Flash talks

Selected poster highlights.

Federico OrtenziThe mechanobiology of an ancient cyanobacterium after ultrasound pulsing in the S-PBR: spectrofluorimetric and AFM scanning of Trichormus variabilis
Yeastime Srl, Guidonia Montecelio

Giada CortiStructural and Functional Modification of the Osteoblast Niche by Osteomimetic Breast Cancer-Derived Vesicles
Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome

Francesca Romana FrangipaniAlbumin-coated liposomes as a biomimetic model of protein corona-coated extracellular vesicles: a focus on the corona topology and its effects on the vesicles’ biophysical properties
University of Rome Tor Vergata, Department of Experimental Medicine

Nunzia MaistoAmyloid-beta fibrils as active contributors to synaptic dysfunction in Alzheimer’s disease
School of Pharmacy, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata

Nicole LangianoMetabolic profiling of glioblastoma tissues using high‑resolution 1H MR spectroscopy to guide novel therapeutic approaches
Sciences Department, Roma Tre University

Flash talks
14:00– 14:05

Session: Innovative Approaches for Biophysics

Chairs: Prof. Velia Minicozzi (Univ. Tor Vergata) and Prof. Paolo Callegari (Univ. Rome Tor Vergata)

14:05–14:45

Plenary Lecture - Crowding, Nonequilibrium, and Biological Function: New Challenges for Theoretical Biophysics

Prof. Francesco Piazza (Università di Firenze)

Plenary
14:45–15:15

Key Speaker - Coarse-grained modelling of proteins: success, failure, and challenges ahead

Prof. Raffaello Potestio (Università di Trento)

Keynote
15:15–15:45

Key Speaker - In-cell NMR in human cells: from protein maturation to real-time ligand screening

Prof. Enrico Luchinat (Università degli studi di Firenze)

Keynote
15:45–16:00

Discussion

Moderated discussion with speakers and audience.

Discussion
16:00–16:30

Flash talks

Selected poster highlights.

Matteo BottacchiariThe interplay between transmembrane lateral pressure and curvature elasticity of lipid vesicles
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Sapienza University of Rome

Dario BuonomoThe case of sibling inhibition in Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria
Science Department, Roma Tre University

Ilaria GenoveseDrug Repurposing for Juvenile Huntington’s Disease: A Combined Computational and Cellular Approach Targeting the Sigma-1 Receptor
Unicamillus International University, Rome

Cesare GruberShotgun Metagenomic Analysis of CSF Samples for Viral Pathogen Detection and Characterization
INMI Lazzaro Spallanzani IRCCS, Rome

Domingo Francesco IacovielloMagnesium Ions Invert Selectivity and Electroosmotic Flow for Pristine Cation Selective Nanopores
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome Tor Vergata

Mariateresa PanarelliStructural mechanism of connexin 43 hemichannel inhibition by the monoclonal antibody Cx43(M1): Insights from AlphaFold and molecular dynamics
Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Padua

Matteo RiboliExploring tetraspanin behavior in asymmetric membranes through MD simulations
Sapienza University of Rome

Flash talks
14:00–16:00

Parallel Satellite Event: META-BRAIN

MagnetoElectric and ultrasound Technology for Advanced BRAIN modulation.

14:00 - 14:20 -- Magnetoelectrics and their Biological Applications Elric Zhang ETH, Switzerland

14:20 - 14:40 -- Nanotechnologies for cortical neuromodulation Alex Suárez IDIBAPS, Spain

14:40 - 15:00 -- A Digital Twin Framework for Neuromodulation Marta Bonato CNR Milan, Italy

15:00 - 15:20 -- Graphene Transistors for Neural Interfaces Marc TudelaCIBER, Spain

15:20 - 15:40 -- Cellulose-Based Biocompatible Platforms for Biointerfaces: Toward Flexible Devices with ZnO Nanorod Sensing Elena Palmieri CNR Rome, Italy

15: 40 - 16:00 --  Multiscale Model for Ultrasound Neuromodulation Agisilaos Matalliotakis CING, Cyprus

Satellite
16:30–18:00

Poster Session + Coffee Break & Beer

Networking and informal discussion.

Poster Break

 

Day 3

May 15, 2026

Venue: Aula Magna Sogene, Università di Roma Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica 1, Rome (IT)
Theme: In memory of Prof. Lorenzo Stella
11:00-12:00

Opening Cerimony

@Seminar Room of the Dept. of Chemical Science and Technologies
Unveiling of the plaque dedicating the Seminar Room to Lorenzo

 

Official Greetings:

Rector of the University Prof. Nathan Levialdi Ghiron
Head of the Department: Prof. Roberto Paolesse

 

Institutional

@ Aula Gismondi

12:00–12:30

Antimicrobial peptides in the era of resistance: killing, selectivity and inoculum effect

Maria Luisa Mangoni

Tribute Talk
12:30–12:50

Size matters - membrane interactions of antimicrobial peptides and their mimetics

Burchard Bechinger

Tribute Talk
12:50–13:10

A rigorous researcher, but above all an empathetic person

Fernando Formaggio

Tribute Talk
13:10–14:10

Lunch

Lunch break.

Break
 
14:10–14:30

Impedance cytometry, antimicrobial peptides, and much more

Federica Caselli

Tribute Talk
14:30–14:50

Lorenzo Stella's role in promoting a chemical-physical approaches to the study of biomembranes

Gerardino D'Errico

Tribute Talk
14:50–15:10

A biophysics journey with the AMPs - from pipettes to GPUs

Manuel N. Melo

Tribute Talk
15:10–15:30

Two decades of gene discovery and structural insights in developmental disorders: a shared journey

Marco Tartaglia

Tribute Talk
15:30–15:50

Fluorescence spectroscopy and protein-ligand interactions: a shared journey of frustration

Marco van de Weert (Università di Roma Tor Vergata)

Tribute Talk
15:50–16:10

The Dancing Enzyme: bridging science and music

Giorgio Ricci (Università di Roma Tor Vergata)

Tribute Talk
16:00–16:3

Coffee Break

 

Break
16:30–17:00

Live Concert

Closing session and final notes.

Closing
17:00–18:30

Remembering Lorenzo

Sharing personal memories & reflections

Closing