The mission of IRIB researchers of the Catania site is to study the physiopathology of neural cells and the molecular and cellular mechanisms that control their survival and death, through cell biology, biochemistry and imaging procedures and through an innovative genomic approach. The study of these mechanisms is useful for the identification of neuro-protective drugs in preclinical models of neuro-degeneration or for the therapy of glial tumors. In addition, thanks to the use of cutting-edge biotechnology, especially in genomics, some genomic tests (application in the clinic), biosensors for DNA and/or bio-functional parameters are developed.