Joint Labs
Perinatal Research Laboratory (PeaRL)
The PeaRL Laboratory is a collaboration between the NEUROFARBA Department of the University of Florence and the CiaoLapo ETS Foundation, dedicated to research on mental and physical health during the perinatal period. Its activities focus on the safe use of medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding, on prescribing appropriateness, on the management of drug and substance abuse and addiction, on the effects of xenobiotics, environmental factors, and lifestyle on women’s well-being and on child neurodevelopment during the first thousand days of life. The Laboratory promotes an integrated network of public and private institutions for healthcare and research, also developing digital tools for perinatal health promotion and for the training of health professionals.
Head: Prof. Alfredo Vannacci
Laboratory of Technological Solutions for Clinical Pharmacology, Pharmacovigilance and Bioinformatics (SCARAB Lab)
The SCARAB Laboratory was established in 2016 within the NEUROFARBA Department of the University of Florence, with the aim of applying information technology knowledge and skills to pharmacology, pharmacovigilance, and healthcare. Since 2022, SCARAB LAB has been collaborating with Dynamedics Srl, an academic spin-off specialized in developing information systems for healthcare research projects.
Main areas of activity include:
- AI Agent, big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence technologies applied to healthcare and pharmacology
- Information systems for pharmacology, pharmacovigilance, and pharmacoepidemiology
- Applications for managing drug therapy in chronic and acute conditions
- Scientific and technological projects in HTA and emerging health technologies
Head: Prof. Alfredo Vannacci
PROtocols and outcome MEasures in Rehabilitation Medicine – PROMISE@LAB (NEUROFARBA participates as partner)
Collaborative development and validation of treatment protocols and innovative outcome measures in Rehabilitation Medicine, focusing on physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dysphagia and neurocognitive rehabilitation, integrated rehabilitation protocols, and healthy ageing promotion. The lab also works on the use and validation of innovative technologies such as robotics, augmented and virtual reality, wearable sensors, and telerehabilitation, as well as on the development of predictive models based on machine learning.
Established: 2022
Scientific Director: Francesca Cecchi
NEUROFARBA staff involved: Maria Pia Viggiano, Fabio Giovannelli
Sleep Psychology Laboratory (SleePsyLab)
The SleePsyLab investigates cognitive processes in relation to sleep, with particular reference to learning and memory, both in good sleepers and in clinical populations. It also studies sleep–wake modifications across the lifespan and psychological aspects of sleep, such as perceived sleepiness and behaviours linked to sleep propensity (e.g., yawning). These aspects are also studied in special populations, such as evening types, morning types, and insomniacs. The lab is also interested in evaluating the effectiveness of cognitive and behavioural interventions aimed at improving sleep quality.
Sleep characteristics are assessed through subjective methods (sleep diaries, scales, questionnaires) and objective methods (polysomnographic and actigraphic recordings).
Joint NEUROFARBA Laboratories – Document
Last update
17.09.2025