A Biomolecular taxonomy, Biosources and Bioactivities to liberate the potential of Biodiversity through a web-based platform – B4WEB

Funder: Project funded under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), Mission 4 Component 2 Investment 1.4 – Cascade Call related to the Program “National Biodiversity Future Center – NBFC – Spoke 6” funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU;

Award Number: Cascade Call related to the Program “National Biodiversity Future Center – NBFC – Spoke 6” CN00000033, CUP B83C22002930006;

Start date: 22/07/2024

End date: 31/10/2025

Total NRRP funding for the cascade call: € 780.000,00

Total NRRP funding for Unipr: € 289.500,00  

The B4Web project aims to develop the 3-NBFC platform, a web-based system designed to integrate and systematize information on biodiversity, focusing specifically on the taxonomy of biomolecules, bio-sources, and bioactivities of species characterizing the Italian flora. This platform will support scientific research and promote the sustainable use of biological resources by providing an accessible and intuitive interface for users from various backgrounds to query and analyze biodiversity data. The project involves several phases, including data collection and integration, platform infrastructure development, algorithm implementation for data analysis, and platform testing and validation with pilot users from the scientific community.

The project is led by the University of Piemonte Orientale, with key contributions from the University of Pisa, the University of Parma, VTENext, and the Natural History Museum of Verona. Each partner brings unique expertise to the project, ensuring a multidisciplinary approach to the development of the platform. The collaboration aims to create a comprehensive resource that enhances the understanding of how biodiversity influences the human exposome and vice versa, ultimately benefiting scientific research, nature conservation, and human health.

The research unit of the University of Parma is involved in the design and  development of the components of a information system based on a Database Management System (DBMS) aimed at managing and analyzing detailed molecular data. The main goal is to obtain a complete representation and accuracy of the molecules which is the basis for the development of predictive algorithms to identify their targets therapeutic. The participation of subjects belonging to the University of Parma is crucial for address complex challenges related to molecular representation, descriptor calculation and fingerprints, as well as the prediction of targets and molecular synergies, through tools that exploit the state of the art of scientific research in this sector accompanied by the development of specific products research aimed at the aims of the NBCF project.

• Department of Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences

• Università degli studi del Piemonte Orientale (Project Leader)
• Comune di Verona
• Università degli Studi di Pisa
• VTENext S.R.L.

The B4Web project expects to produce a robust and user-friendly platform that significantly enhances access to and analysis of biodiversity data. The platform will provide detailed information on biomolecules, bio-sources, and bioactivities, facilitating the identification of specific bio-molecular resources and their potential applications. This will support researchers in biology, ecology, and medicine by providing a valuable tool for exploring the interactions between biodiversity and human health, leading to new research opportunities and discoveries.

Additionally, the project aims to promote the sustainable use of natural resources by providing comprehensive data that can inform conservation strategies and policy decisions. The platform's ability to integrate and systematize diverse data sources will make it a valuable resource for scientists, policymakers, and the general public, fostering a greater understanding of biodiversity and its importance. The successful implementation of the B4Web platform will serve as a model for similar initiatives in other regions and fields, demonstrating the potential of web-based systems to enhance research and conservation efforts.

NBFC – National Biodiversity Future Center