The European Union’s Researchers’ Night, an initiative to bring science to the general public, was a resounding success. The initiative celebrated its 20th anniversary on September 26 and 27 with over 460 events in 25 countries.
MEETmeTonight, the event in Milan, was hosted this year by the University of Milan, at its headquarters at Via Festa del Perdono 7.
Two days of activities, workshops, and performances, involving Milan’s universities, allowed for dialogue with those who work in research every day.
Five thematic pavilions have been set up under the porticoes of the Statale, inspired by the Horizon Europe funding program, which includes five main missions aimed at finding concrete solutions to some of today’s greatest challenges: Adapting to climate change; Fighting cancer; Climate-neutral and smart cities; Protecting oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers; and Soil health.
As part of this last theme, the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy presented the SOSTEGnO project (Social Education for the Safeguarding of the Territory through the Rational Management and Conscious Use of Medicinal Plants), funded by the Cariplo Foundation. This project will demonstrate and promote, through a scientific and highly practical approach, the feasibility of implementing agroecological interventions for the production of products related to the health and nutraceutical supply chain. These interventions will require labor and, therefore, could offer a new path to placement and professional growth for young people currently struggling to find their own path. The interventions will involve the cultivation of blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum L.), the management of chestnut (Castanea sativa Mill.) within chestnut groves, and, secondarily, the introduction of service tree (Sorbus aucuparia L.).
Indeed, these three plants can yield highly promising and interesting health products. Chestnut has already been the subject of studies by the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, with the results obtained thanks to the financial support of the Research Project of National Interest (PRIN) 2022Z3RN9X, funded by the European Union – Next Generation EU and the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MUR).
ASFO Valli delle Sorgenti and Fondazione Asilo Mariuccia are involved in the SOSTEGnO project, along with the Pharmacognosy Laboratory—which will evaluate the three medicinal plants, studying their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties and providing training in the conscious and rational use of natural products.
Teachers, researchers, and students working on their theses took turns at the Laboratory of Pharmacognosy stand, illustrating the project’s unique features. They also explained to the numerous MEETMeTonight visitors the substantial differences between chestnut fruits and horse chestnut seeds, which decorated the tables and intrigued the little ones in particular.
