The University of Milan joins the international CTLS network

The University of Milan has joined Core Technologies for Life Sciences (CTLS), an international association that brings together scientists, experts, technicians and administrative staff engaged in the management and development of core facilities — an innovative model for managing research instruments and services, based on the sharing and optimisation of resources for the scientific community. 
Promoted by the Research Management Sector of the Research Services Division, which has coordinated the University’s four UNITECH core facilities since 2018, and by Professor Alessandro Caselli, Rector’s delegate for the UNITECH platforms, membership in CTLS marks a further step towards strengthening the networking activities already initiated by the University at both national and international levels. 

In addition to their active participation in the Network of Italian Core Facilities (NICo) since 2022, the UNITECH core facilities have been recognised as a best practice in management within the framework of TRAIN4EU+, an initiative of the 4EU+ Alliance funded by the Horizon 2020 'Science with and for Society' programme, aimed at supporting the research and innovation dimension of European University Alliances. 

Founded in France as a non-profit organisation, CTLS aims to foster dialogue and cooperation among core facilities. Through its international network, the organisation promotes the exchange of knowledge on emerging methodologies and technologies, the transfer of expertise, and the sharing of benchmarks and best practices among professionals in the field. 
 
The University’s membership in the CTLS network will help strengthen its ties with European and international research institutions, while actively contributing to the development of shared standards and the advancement of technologies applied to the life sciences. 
Participation in the association’s activities will also provide new opportunities for the professional development of technical, administrative and scientific staff involved in the management of research infrastructures. Indeed, a key aspect of CTLS’s mission is to support the professional development of its members through training initiatives and networking opportunities focused on the organisational and technological challenges associated with next-generation platforms. 

'The University of Milan’s membership in CTLS,' commented Monica DiLuca, Vice Rector for Research and Technology Transfer, 'represents an important step towards building an increasingly open, collaborative and international research environment. Core facilities are now strategic infrastructures for scientific competitiveness: networking them means sharing technologies, expertise and advanced organisational models, not only to improve the efficiency and quality of research services, but also to promote a culture of research and innovation based on cooperation and the shared development of expertise.' 

The CTLS 2027 Congress in Milan 

In this context, the CTLS 2027 Congress, scheduled to take place in Milan from 22 to 25 June 2027, represents a major opportunity for international exchange and is the first initiative to be developed by the University of Milan together with CTLS. Organised in collaboration with Human Technopole and the University of Trento, the event will feature four days of activities, including plenary sessions with internationally renowned speakers, parallel scientific sessions and a dedicated space for pitches by start-ups operating in the sector. Conceived as a collaborative hub for the exchange of ideas and experiences, the congress aims to promote data-driven life sciences research. The programme will introduce the Italian landscape of core facilities and the emerging concept of National Facilities, offering an overview of regional and national infrastructures, the new framework, and opportunities for shared use in European research collaborations. 

The CTLS 2027 Congress will take place across multiple venues, beginning at the historic Ca’ Granda in the city centre and continuing at the Conference Centre of IRCCS Galeazzi Hospital, located within MIND (Milan Innovation District), home to Human Technopole and the future campus of the University of Milan. This setting creates a strong link between tradition and modernity and places at its centre a cutting-edge research ecosystem in which the University of Milan and Human Technopole work alongside industry and other stakeholders to foster innovation, collaboration and scientific progress.