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 conscious use of medications during pregnancy and breastfeeding, prescription appropriateness, management of drug and substance abuse, effects of xenobiotics, environmental factors and lifestyle on women's well-being, and child neurodevelopment during the first thousand days of life. The PeaRL Laboratory promotes an integrated network of public and private entities for assistance and research, also developing digital tools for perinatal health promotion and professional training of healthcare providers.
Director: 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, aiming to apply information technology knowledge and skills to pharmacology, pharmacovigilance, and healthcare. Since 2022, SCARAB Lab has maintained a stable collaboration with Dynamedics Srl, an academic spin-off specialized in developing information systems for healthcare research projects.
SCARAB Lab develops innovative solutions for research and clinical practice through a multidisciplinary team composed of physicians, pharmacologists, IT specialists, and biomedical engineers. Main areas of activity include:
• AI Agent-based technologies, big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence applied to healthcare and pharmacology
• Information systems for pharmacology, pharmacovigilance, and pharmacoepidemiology
• Applications for managing pharmacological therapy in chronic and acute conditions
• Scientific and technological projects in HTA and emerging healthcare technologies
Director: Prof. Alfredo Vannacci
PROtocols and Outcome MEasures in Rehabilitation Medicine - PROMISE@LAB (Neurofarba participates as a partner)
Collaborative development and validation of innovative treatment protocols and outcome measures in Rehabilitation Medicine, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, dysphagia and neurocognitive rehabilitation, integrated rehabilitation protocols, and healthy ageing promotion. Use and validation of innovative technologies, such as robotics, augmented reality, virtual reality, wearable sensors, and telerehabilitation. Development and application of clinical-functional and instrumental measures, including those derived from robotic systems. Analysis of predictive factors and treatment response biomarkers, including clinical-functional, neurophysiological, instrumental, and laboratory parameters. Collaboration in the development of predictive models based on machine learning techniques.
Year established: 2022
Scientific Director: Maria Pia Viggiano
Last update
11.03.2026