SPECIAL SESSION #12

Giuseppe Ferrauto

Dept of molecular biotechnologies and health sciences- Univ of Torino

• giuseppe.ferrauto@unito.it

Enza Di Gregorio

Dept of molecular biotechnologies and health sciences- Univ of Torino

• enza.digregorio@unito.it

The evolving geopolitical landscape and the emergence of new threats demand innovative solutions based on chemistry and biotechnology to strengthen security and societal resilience. Chemical and biotechnological sciences are playing an increasingly strategic role in the development of advanced technologies for prevention, detection, protection, and response across the defense and security sectors. This Special Session will highlight the latest advances in chemical technologies and biotechnology, with particular emphasis on biosensors, advanced functional materials, and their applications in defense and security. Special attention will be devoted to CBRNe preparedness and response, threat detection and identification, risk assessment, decontamination technologies, environmental surveillance, and emergency management. By bringing together experts from academia, research institutions, industry, and the defense community, the session aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, promote technology transfer, and stimulate the development of innovative scientific and engineering solutions to address current and future national and international security challenges in an increasingly complex operational environment.

Giuseppe Ferrauto is an Associate Professor of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Turin (Italy). His research focuses on molecular imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nanomedicine, and the development of innovative nanosystems, contrast agents and supramolecular adducts for biomedical applications, with applications in oncology, neuroscience and infectious diseases. He has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters in these fields and serves as reviewer for several international scientific journals. He is cofounder of a biotech start-up in the field of oncology. and author of 5 patents. Alongside his research, he teaches Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) weapons at the Interdepartmental School of Strategic Sciences (SUISS), University of Turin. His current interests include CBRN preparedness, chemical and biological risk assessment, decontamination strategies, and the integration of advanced analytical and imaging nanotechnologies into CBRN prevention, response, and training.

Enza Di Gregorio is an Associate Professor of General and Inorganic Chemistry at the University of Turin, Italy. Her research focuses on the design and characterization of small molecular and macromolecular imaging probes and on their interactions with biological systems, from the molecular to the whole-animal level. She has extensive expertise in preclinical imaging, animal models, and the biological evaluation of diagnostic and theranostic agents for oncology and neurological diseases. Her scientific activity integrates inorganic chemistry, nanotechnology, and molecular imaging to develop innovative approaches for biomedical applications. More recently, her research has expanded to the study of advanced materials and imaging technologies for the detection and management of chemical and biological hazards, supporting research and training activities in the CBRN field.