Special Sessions
The Scientific Committee of the MedLIFE-25 invites submissions of research abstracts on all cross-cutting themes of life sciences, with a main focus on these Conference Tracks.
Submissions for additional conference tracks (e.g., special sessions, satellite events, etc.) are solicited from the Scientific Community by September 30, 2025.
If you are interested in proposing a special session and/or a satellite event, please follow this example and send your proposal to contact@med-life.org.
The approved special sessions and satellite events are listed below (click to open):
Special Sessions
45 Human Health and Environmental Risk Assessment
MedLIFE-25 will host a special session and expert meeting focusing on chemical contaminants in the Mediterranean. The session will attempt to cover a range of contaminants in the Mediterranean, such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs such as PFAS and flame retardants), trace metals, PAHs, endocrine disruptors and microplastics. Matrices can be marine organisms, sediments, water and air. Passive sampling in water or air studies may also be reported. The emphasis will be on effects of contaminants on human health and the environment and risk assessment. Studies on specific point sources are also welcome.
This special session aims bringing together environmental chemists and toxicologists from Mediterranean countries to discuss current challenges in environmental and human health impact of polluting substances. Experts are encouraged to share their latest research papers and join this session.
Comparative research studies on this issue from other parts of the world will also be considered.
Conveners
Jacob de Boer
Editorial Board of the Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (Springer)
Dutch Government Health Expert (Tata Steel Operations)
Chinese Government National Expert (2013–2018)
United Nations Environment Program Advisor
Board Member of International BFR Symposia Series
Vrije University Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Armando Zarrelli
46 Expanding One Health Concept to Lifestyle and Healthy Aging through Redox Modulation and Telomeres/Telomerase Dynamics, and Mediterrasian Diet Model
In the framework of the One Health approach, the redox system emerges as a universal, adaptive biochemical network essential for the well-being of all life forms across terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric ecosystems. Strengthening endogenous and exogenous antioxidant defenses is crucial to support resilience against environmental stressors such as pollution and climate change, which threaten key processes underpinning health and longevity. This Special Session aims to explore how redox modulation, in synergy with telomere and telomerase dynamics, can contribute to healthy aging and disease prevention in diverse life forms, including humans. Particular attention will be given to the MediterrAsian dietary model, which combines elements of both the Mediterranean and Asian diets, rich in plant bioactives, omega-3 fatty acids, and region-specific compounds like resveratrol, hydroxytyrosol, and epigallocatechin gallate. These nutritional strategies, resembling the benefits of calorie restriction, offer promising avenues to enhance healthspan and lifespan. Contributions addressing redox biology, antioxidant networks, telomere biology, and their interactions in the context of lifestyle interventions and dietary patterns are welcome, as well as comparative studies across regions, with a focus on the Mediterranean, Asian and other areas in the world.
Conveners
Immaculata De Vivo
Melanie Mason Niemiec 71 Faculty Codirector of the Sciences, Harvard Radcliffe Institute
Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School
Professor of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Eugenio Luigi lorio
President of the Università Popolare “Medicina degli Stili di Vita – Lifestyle Medicine” (Ascea, Italy)
President of the International Observatory of Oxidative Stress (Italy, Japan, Brazil, Greece)
Honorary Member of the Japanese Society of Comprehensive Pain Medicine
Academic Advisor of Wismerll Redox Center (Tokyo, Japan)
Directory Board Member of the Italian Association of Andrologists (ASSAI)
Directory Board Member of the Medical Association Kousmine Italy (AMIK)
Scientific Directory Board Member of the International Society of Regenerative Medicine and Surgery (SIMCRI)
Member of the Mediterranean Round Table Project 2017 (Boston, MA, USA)
Coordinator of the Course of Post-graduation in Integrative Medicine at the UNIUBE University (Uberlandia, Minas Gerais, Brazil)
Neuroscience Biomedicine and Movement Sciences Department, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
Francesca Ciani
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Invited Speakers
Sara Albarella
MUNA and Dept. of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production
University of Naples Federico II, Naples (Italy)
Evaristo Di Napoli
University of Naples Federico II, Naples (Italy)
Claudia Gatta
University of Naples Federico II, Naples (Italy)
Margherita Maranesi
University of Perugia - Italy
47 Envinronmental Contaminants of Emerging Concerns: a Silent Risk for Aquatic Organisms
Human waste, or anthropogenic litter, has been found in food webs, aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric systems, indicating that it may be recirculating through ecosystems in a manner akin to that of naturally occurring materials. The study of anthropogenic litter from the perspective of ecological subsidies is uncommon, but it has the potential to advance the field of study. Previous research has concentrated particularly on anthropogenic subsidies in the form of chemical contaminants. Scientists are still warning about the pervasiveness of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and their detrimental effects on the environment and human health. People are becoming more concerned about the pervasive CECs around the world due to growing scientific knowledge, ecological concerns, health-related issues for humans, socioeconomic challenges and awareness, and disproportionate community exposures. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, biomedical products, personal care products (PCPs), micro and nano plastics, and pesticides are the substances that CECs are most concerned about. Across the world, there is still interest in and worry about the persistence of CECs in the aquatic ecosystem. CECs are routinely dumped into aquatic habitats, where they damage entire ecosystems and present major health risks. Endocrine disrupting chemicals are among the CECs that cost society the most due to an increase in sickness and disability, yet unlike other toxicant classes like carcinogens, they are not yet regulated as a category of hazard. Scientific research spanning decades has demonstrated that EDCs have been found to feminize aquatic organisms and have been associated with changes in immune responses, sexual differentiation and maturity, development, growth, and behavior, as well as nervous system functions, cancers, obesity, heart health, and neurological and learning disabilities.
This special session looks at how EDCs affect aquatic life, and it clarifies why studies focused on this field are very important to preserve biodiversity and human health. The session aims to gather research works on the silent risks posed by environmental contaminants of emerging concern and contribute to the global effort to protect aquatic organisms and ecosystems. Environmental chemists, toxicologists, and ecologists are encouraged to submit their latest research on emerging contaminants. The session seeks to foster interdisciplinary dialogue, encouraging experts from Mediterranean countries and beyond to share insights, methodologies, and comparative studies that highlight regional and global challenges. Studies that provide comparative analyses with findings from other parts of the world are particularly welcome, as they can offer valuable context and understanding of the global scale of these emerging threats.
Conveners
Davide Di Paola
Enrico Gugliandolo
48 The Mediterranean Microbiomes and Omics-Guided Investigations
MedLIFE-25 will host a special session and expert meeting focusing on Mediterranean microbiomes and omics-guided studies, involving the bioinformatics research community. The session will attempt to cover diverse environments (e.g., marine, aerosol, soil, extreme habitats, etc.) and human health fields. Topics addressed will include the latest tips and tricks in designing reproducible microbiome studies, spanning from DNA/RNA extraction to recent cutting-edge Next-generation sequencing (NGS) (short reads vs. long reads) methods and omics computational pipelines (e.g., metagenomics, metatranscriptomics, metabolomics). Additionally, the session will cover how to curate and analyse NGS data before making it publicly available.
This special session aims to bring together microbiome experts from Mediterranean countries to overcome current challenges in omics studies, set common goals, share computing resources, and train young bioinformaticians prepared for the new era of big data. Experts are encouraged to share their latest research papers (and mini reviews) and join the session to contribute their expertise, including user-friendly scripts for analysing NGS data and workflows.
Conveners
Andrea Franzetti
Alif Chebbi
Invited Speakers
Andrea Franzetti
Bruna Matturro
Noureddine El Aouad
Soumaya Kouidhi
University of Manouba, Tunis, Tunisia
Hedia Bourguiba
Afef Najjari
Oussama Souiai
Institute Pasteur of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia
Iteb Boughattas
Laboratory of Agrobiodiversity and Ecotoxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy of Chott-Meriem,
University of Sousse, Sousse, Tunisia
Collaborator
49 Reproductive Disorders and Modern Life Style
This session will focus on the increasing reproductive disorders such as infertility, congenital anomalies or decreased fecundity that might be induced by mycotoxins food contamination or micro pollutants such as perfume stabilizers, plasticisers or even heavy metal contamination. Some of such disorder inducing agent might have a transgenerational impact.
The session will be a trail to gather the research work concerning pollutants and microchemicals that might affect human or animal reproductive capacity and also the possibility to recover from such disorders.
Researchers are encouraged to submit their papers concerning this session’s topics. It will be a good chance for experts from different Mediterranean countries to share their knowledge and to find solutions to overcome the reproductive disorders issues.
Conveners
Reda A. Ali
50 Neurological Diseases and the Role of Complementary Medicine in Management of these Disorders
This special session will address the unique challenges presented by neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and stroke as well as mood disorders. Additionally, the session will explore the integration and efficacy of complementary and alternative medicine approaches specifically focussing on natural compounds, dietary regimen, herbal medicine and other lifestyle interventions. A short hapttitude session cum workshop with light exercises to relieve stress and foster positive mindset will be the key attraction to students and researchers.
Key Highlight Features:
- Regional Epidemiology and affecting factors: Insights into the prevalence and incidence of major neurological diseases.
- Complementary Medicine Approaches: Discussion on the use of complementary medicine practices such as herbal medicine, nutritional therapies, exercise and other life style interventions in managing neurological diseases.
- Cultural Perspectives: Consideration of cultural attitudes towards complementary medicine and how they influence treatment choices.
- Innovative Therapies: Presentation of cutting-edge complementary and integrative therapies for neurological diseases.
- HAPTITTUDE session: A workshop cum session of 1 hour for students as well as working professionals fostering the positive mindset by renowned Hapttitude coaches.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Bringing together neurologists, researchers, and practitioners of complementary medicine to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing.
- Networking Opportunities: Structured networking sessions to promote collaboration and partnership among attendees from diverse fields.
- Interactive Panels: Engaging panel discussions with opportunities for audience Q&A, facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas.
This special session aims to bring together experts from all around the world to discuss the current challenges and advancements in understanding and treating neurological diseases, with a particular focus on the role and integration of complementary medicine. This forum will foster collaboration and the sharing of the latest research findings and clinical experiences tailored to this unique geographic and cultural context.
Conveners
Anuradha Sharma
Pretty Bhalla
Mittal School of Business, Lovely Professional University, Punjab, India
Invited Speakers
Gurpreet Kaur Grewal
Genomics and Molecular Medicine Unit, Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology (IGIB), Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Mall Road, Delhi, India
Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, India
51 Unlocking Geo-Ecosystem Changes by Integrating Remote Sensing with Ground-Truth-Based Proxies
This special session of MedLIFE-25 aims to foster meaningful knowledge exchange among researchers and professionals employing diverse approaches, methodologies, and techniques to investigate geo-ecosystem changes and their impacts on landscape dynamics and ecosystem services.
Invited speakers will enrich the discussion by presenting cutting-edge insights and case studies that underscore the value of interdisciplinary research in advancing our understanding of these interconnected complex processes in the Mediterranean region and beyond.
By bringing together leading scholars and experts from both the physical and life sciences, the session will encourage an open and interdisciplinary dialogue on the strengths, limitations, and complementarity of remote sensing and field-based methods in detecting, monitoring, and assessing geo-ecosystem transformations.
It will emphasise how the integration of these tools enhances our understanding of the dynamic interplay between landscape processes and ecosystem service degradation.
The session will also seek to promote papers that present robust strategies for the reliable assessment of geohazard impacts and ecosystem degradation, with particular focus on the use of ground-truth-based proxies and the importance of the digitalisation of the territorial data.
Conveners
Nicola Perilli
Department of Civil and Industrial Engineering, University of Pisa, Italy
52 Biological Models to Uncover Factors Behind Health and Disease
Biological models are experimental systems that deepen our understanding of the factors behind health and disease in flora and fauna, including humans. Living organisms (at all levels of complexity) and in vitro cellular systems enable scientists to isolate specific variables, test hypotheses, and observe potential outcomes under controlled conditions. Over the years, experimental models have increased, unconventional models are often used, and artificial intelligence has been implemented to more effectively decode the data collected and predict outcomes in terms of health and disease. Cytotoxicity of natural or chemical substances, drug effects, polluted-driven environmental changes, reproductive toxicology, embryology and embryotoxicity are just some of the fields in which they find application.
This special session aims to bring together researchers from Mediterranean countries and beyond to discuss how different experimental models can contribute to health monitoring and disease prevention in various life forms, including humans. Topics covered will also include the latest tips and tricks for designing, with the help of AI, new organotypic models that could potentially replace animals.
53 Climate Change and Marine Alien Species
MedLIFE-25 will host a special session and expert meeting focusing on the complex interactions between climate change and marine alien species in the Mediterranean Sea. The session will explore how rising sea temperatures, altered current patterns, ocean acidification, and extreme weather events are influencing the arrival, establishment, and spread of non-indigenous species (NIS), with emphasis on their ecological and socio-economic impacts.
Topics may include species-specific case studies, distribution modelling under climate scenarios, bioinvasion dynamics, trophic and community shifts, fisheries interactions, and management responses. Contributions on early detection systems, citizen science approaches, and policy integration are also welcome.
This special session aims to bring together marine ecologists, invasion biologists, climatologists, and environmental managers to address the emerging risks and long-term consequences of biological invasions under a changing climate. Experts are encouraged to share their latest research results and foster a multidisciplinary dialogue.
Comparative studies from other marine regions facing similar challenges will also be considered.
Conveners
Francesco Tiralongo
Ente Fauna Marina Mediterranea, Scientific Organization for Research and Conservation of Marine Biodiversity, Avola, Italy
National Research Council, Institute of Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnologies, Messina, Italy
Christian Mulder
Botanical Garden & Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences
University of Catania, Catania, Italy
54 XX – The care of living space
As the philosopher Nicola Emery states in his Progettare, costruire, curare. Per una deontologia dell’architettura (Designing, Building, Taking care. Toward a deontology of Architecture), quoting La Repubblica by Plato, architects are responsible for the design and construction of places where it is possible to live well and is also responsible of the care of cities, territories and the landscape and, through them, again of the humans. Today, living in a state of well-being is not a concept that can exhausts in the absence of illness but takes on a holistic dimension that concerns, as the Goal 3 of the 2030 Agenda underlines, a condition that is achieved with behaviours and prevention and that has a collective dimension because health and well-being are ‘common goods’, also conditioned by the quality of the relationships that are realized in the public space of the city.
This special session aims, bringing together scholars of the city and urban space with different disciplinary knowledge, to investigate the current challenges concerning the building of spaces and cities that are sustainable, inclusive but, as in the initial philosophy of the Next Generation EU, also beautiful: because we believe that beauty is a necessary condition for the human well-being.
Researches and studies on this issue from other disciplinary fields will also be considered if facing the investigation on the relationship between environment and living beings to ensure the construction of ‘healthy’ spaces for all in the city of future.
Conveners
Federica Visconti
Department of Architecture University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Phd board “Architecture and Construction of the City”, Sapienza University of Rome
Renato Capozzi
Department of Architecture University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
Phd board “Architecture and Construction of the City”, Sapienza University of Rome
55 Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology
MedLIFE-25 will host a conference track on Biomechanics and Exercise Physiology, bringing together researchers investigating human movement mechanics and the physiological systems that enable optimal performance. The session welcomes studies on muscle biomechanics, metabolic responses to exercise, cardiovascular adaptations, respiratory function during physical activity, and the role of nutrition in supporting movement efficiency and recovery.
Research areas include force production and energy transfer mechanisms, neuromuscular coordination, fatigue physiology, thermoregulation during exercise, and substrate utilization patterns. Studies examining how nutritional interventions influence biomechanical performance, recovery kinetics, and metabolic adaptations are particularly encouraged.
Investigations into movement optimization, injury prevention through biomechanical analysis, and the physiological basis of training adaptations will be featured.
This interdisciplinary session aims to unite biomechanists, exercise physiologists, and sports nutritionists from Mediterranean countries and beyond to discuss current challenges in human performance science. Experts are encouraged to share their latest research papers exploring the intersection of mechanical and physiological factors in human movement.
The session seeks to advance understanding of how biomechanical efficiency relates to metabolic cost, how nutrition supports optimal movement patterns, and how physiological constraints influence mechanical performance. Comparative studies from different populations and athletic disciplines are welcomed.
Conveners
Gian Mario Migliaccio
Department of Human Sciences and Promotion of Quality of Life
San Raffaele Open University, Rome
Taner Akbulut
Satellite Events
56 Exploring One-Health Dimensions: Experience and Case Studies
Since 2021, The International One-Health Conference has been gathering prominent experts from institutions, academia, and international organisations in health and environmental sectors to bring One-Health topics at the centre of the scientific discussion. International One Health Conference In the last edition in Catania in 2022, the conference has received more than 40 scientific contributions, involving at least 270 authors from all over the world (see Proceedings). The highest level speakers (from WHO, The Lancet Countdown, ISGlobal, ICLEI, CNR) on the topic have been invited as guest lecturers to provide the forefront insights, innovations and relevant themes into the discussion. A key feature of the conference has always been to foster results at a policy level, producing also Position Papers by the Scientific Committee that have been brought at ministerial and high-level international venues like UNFCCC COP26, COP27, and COP28.
The One Health approach to the problems of the sustainability of the planet and the maintenance of quality of life is a transdisciplinary approach that can be summarized in some main themes: environmental complexity and climate change, sustainability of urban and agricultural systems and biodiversity, disease and antimicrobial systems resistance, and knowledge transfer. Therefore, the challenges linked to this approach are numerous and complex, making it necessary to clarify the different dimensions, not only to students (medicine, agriculture, engineering, law, economics, etc.) and stakeholders, but also and above all, to political decision-makers, to provide them with important support as they examine the complex health and socioeconomic issues for policies.
With this in mind, the satellite event will embrace the interconnectedness of Environmental, Digital, Social, Policies, and Participatory dimensions, delving into the multifaceted aspects of One-Health. Through a comprehensive exploration, attendees will witness the convergence of disciplines and perspectives to address pressing global health challenges. We will invite speakers to discuss antimicrobial resistance and climate change with a One-health approach, Malnutrition, migration and wars, Energy sustainability, urbanization and nature-based solutions, diseases and movement of species and vectors, Ecoanxiety, extreme events and alteration of ecosystems, Urban Health and intersectoral interventions. The various concepts will be illustrated through experiences and case studies on the health impacts associated with various environmental and ecosystem problems and by trying to identify good practices that can help resolve current global health issues and the need for cross-disciplinary funding sources to foster an OH approach.
Early-career scientists and senior experts are encouraged to submit their most current research to participate in this MedLIFE-25 Satellite Event with their cutting-edge understanding of these aspects.
Conveners
Domenico Vito
Paris Observatory – HubZine Italia, Milan, Italy
Margherita Ferrante
Responsible for CT-ME-EN Integrated Cancer Registry
Director Responsible for Hygiene, Complex Operating Unit of Hospital Hygiene, University Hospital "Rodolico-San Marco," Catania, Italy
Responsible for the Laboratory of Environmental and Food Hygiene (LIAA), Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies (DGFI), University of Catania, Catania, Italy
Workshops
57 The circularity of the actions for the environmental and human health prevention
Conveners
Gea Oliveri Conti
Maria Cristina Lavagnolo
invited communications
Domenico Vito
Paris Observatory – HubZine Italia, Milan, Italy
Mohamed Banni
Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy, Chott-Meriem, Sousse University, Tunisia
Higher Institute of Biotechnology, Monastir University, Tunisia
Gea Oliveri Conti
Maria Cristina Lavagnolo
Konstantinos Makris
Raffaella Mercogliano