Rome kids hospital opens research lab

(ANSA) - Rome, October 21 - Vatican Secretary of State Pietro Parolin on Tuesday unveiled a new research laboratory at the Bambin Gesù paediatric hospital in Rome.
    The 26 million euro facility will specialise in genetic disorders, which are responsible for up to 70% of admissions to the institutions that is part of the Italian national healthcare system but is owned by the Holy See. The 150 researchers at the lab will also study tumours, rare diseases and metabolic disorders.
    "I want to express my appreciation for this important day," said Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin in a note. "We all know well how reaching health targets depends to a large extent on the results obtained by research." The laboratory also contains a cell factory dedicated to the production of advanced therapies on a large scale.
    "This structure is dedicated to translational research, the kind that feeds on a process of transfer from the laboratory to the patient's bed," said hospital president Giuseppe Profiti.