From 18 to 20 May 2026, the University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO) hosted three days of scientific exchange dedicated to mass spectrometry, bringing together researchers from across Italy and Europe: the 3rd Mass Spectrometry Piedmont Meeting on 18 May, followed by the 13th Mass Spectrometry Junior Day (MS J-Day) on 19–20 May. METNEDIA partners actively contributed to both initiatives through scientific presentations, project communication materials, and the participation of early-career researchers involved in the project.
The 3rd Mass Spectrometry Piedmont Meeting, held at UPO’s Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, was conceived as an open and multidisciplinary forum welcoming contributions from all areas of mass spectrometry. The event aimed to encourage the sharing of research results, stimulate new collaborations, and highlight recent applications of mass spectrometry in the Piedmont region. Organised with the support of UPO and the Italian Chemical Society’s Mass Spectrometry Division, the meeting attracted researchers, professionals, and students working in academic, industrial, and clinical settings. During this event, METNEDIA partner Dr. Marco Ghirimoldi delivered an oral presentation entitled “Epilipids as Early Biomarkers of Parkinson’s Disease”, presenting ongoing work within the project on lipidomics and neurodegenerative disease diagnostics.
Following the regional meeting, the MS J-day, organised by the Young Group of the Italian Chemical Society (G-SCI) in collaboration with the Mass Spectrometry Division (DSM-SCI), brought together more than seventy young researchers for two days dedicated to innovation in analytical chemistry and mass spectrometry. The event is recognised as an important international forum for scientists under 35, offering a space to present research, exchange ideas, and explore emerging trends across multiple application fields, including multi-omics technologies, natural products, life sciences, forensic analysis, food safety, environmental monitoring, cultural heritage, instrumentation development, and advanced data analysis.
METNEDIA contributed to the conference through several scientific presentations and the active participation of its researchers. The project was introduced by Marcello Manfredi, professor at University of Piemonte Orientale, and coordinator of the METNEDIA project, during a dedicated presentation outlining its objectives and ongoing activities. Scientific contributions from METNEDIA partners included a flash poster presentation by Dr. Marco Ghirimoldi on oxidized plasma lipids as potential biomarkers for Parkinson’s disease, and an oral presentation by Dr. Shahzaib Khoso on AIPO, an automated machine-learning workflow designed to support omics-based precision medicine. In addition, the program included an invited talk from Dr. Wenjun Hu from King’s College London, also METNEDIA partner, on gut-related molecules and microbiome changes during weight loss in children, highlighting the breadth of mass spectrometry applications across clinical and metabolic research.
METNEDIA maintained a visible presence throughout the event through a roll-up banner and communication materials, which introduced attendees to the project’s mission and interdisciplinary approach. A group of ten METNEDIA researchers, including PhD students and postdoctoral fellows who will participate in future secondments, attended the conference and engaged with peers from across Italy and Europe. Their presence contributed to strengthening the project’s scientific network and supporting early-career researchers involved in its activities. Together, the Piedmont Meeting and MS J‑Day offered valuable opportunities for METNEDIA partners to present their work within dynamic environments. These events provided important platforms for showcasing ongoing research related to biomarker discovery, mass spectrometry workflows, and data-driven diagnostic innovation, all of which are central to METNEDIA’s objectives.
