The "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso" international scientific Campus at Monterotondo Scalo (Rome) has been active since 1996. It has been created thanks to a project of Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), which involves the most important international scientific organisations. The CNR established the Monterotondo Campus for the purpose of developing Italian biological and biomedical research and strengthening its international character.
The Campus was officially inagurated by Oscar Luigi Scalfaro, President of the Italian Republic, on March 8, 1999.
It is dedicated to Prof. Adriano Buzzati-Traverso, the scientist who, while working at the CNR, brought modern molecular biology to Italy.
The Campus is located within the industrial and technological park of the town of Monterotondo and it is surrounded by rolling hills and scenic towns and villages attractive for inexpensive housing, cultural heritage and outdoor activities.

The Campus hosts the core structure of the EMMA (European Mouse Mutant Archive) Network Infrastructure and the new Mouse Clinic, both coordinated by the CNR's "EMMA & International Development of the Monterotondo Campus" Committed unit (CNR-EMMA).
Prof. Glauco Tocchini-Valentini is the CNR-EMMA Head and the co-ordinator of the EMMAService grant, under the Capacities Specific Programme of the European Union 7th Framework Programme.

Monterotondo is located in the Lazio region, about 30 km north of Roma city center and 65 km north-east of Roma Fiumicino Airport (see the area Map and the Transports and Communications section).

The Campus street address is the following:
Centro Ricerche CNR, Campus "Adriano Buzzati-Traverso"
Via E. Ramarini 32
I-00015 Monterotondo Scalo (Roma)
 

The Campus

The Campus area is about 158,000 square metres and, in addition to the EMMA core structure and the Mouse Clinic, it hosts the CNR Institute of Cell Biology and Neurobiology (IBCN) -formerly CNR Institute of Cell Biology (IBC) and CNR Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine (INMM)- and the Mouse Biology Unit of the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), one of the world's top research institutions, dedicated to basic research in the molecular life sciences. The Molecular Hematology Outstation of the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) is established at the Campus, carrying out advanced research in molecular biology and biotechnology for the benefit of developing Countries, as a part of the United Nations system. The Campus also hosts the activities defined by the MRC Science and Innovation-CNR Cooperation Agreement.

The Campus laboratories, cell culture units, animal facilities and other infrastructures are built and equipped according to state-of-the-art standards. Major pieces of equipment include an X-ray diffractometer unit, electron-microscopy units, confocal and in-vivo fluorescence digital microscopes, FACS units, behavioral phenotyping units, transgenic core facilities, histology and pathology units, cryo-preservation facilities, etc. The Campus has a library, a cafeteria and sporting grounds.
The present covered surface (see the Campus plan) corresponds to 17,000 square metres, of which 7,500 are laboratories and 9,500 square metres are office and service buildings. The EMMA animal facility is 1,600 square metres.
The site was originally built by ENI SpA, the major italian oil, gas and chemical conglomerate.

Proximity to Other Research Institutions

There are four National University Campuses and several private universities in the Rome area. Many University departments have strong molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics programs.
Several CNR Research Institutes and the Istituto Superiore di Sanita' (ISS, Italian Higher Institute of Health) are in Rome. The biological laboratories of ENEA (Italian Energy and Environment Agency) operate in Casaccia (30 km from Monterotondo); the National Institute of Nuclear Physics (INFN) operates a strong laboratory in Frascati. The CNR Chemistry, Agriculture, Environment Campus in Montelibretti can be reached by car from Monterotondo in 7 min. The CNR Headquarters in Rome can be reached in 30 min.

Computer Network Connections

The Monterotondo Campus is linked to the GARR Italian Research and Academic Network via the main CNR Headquarter node in Rome. The GARR network links most CNR Institutes, Universities and academic-related sites in Italy and supports multiple protocols and standards. Connections are provided to all major international research networks.

Transports and Communications

All direct trains from/to Roma Fiumicino Airport of the FM1 regional railway line stop at the Monterotondo rail station. They run every 20-30 min (travel time between Monterotondo and Fiumicino Airport is about 75 min). FM1 trains leaving from Fiumicino Airport station are bound to Orte, or Poggio Mirteto or Fara Sabina). Shuttle bus services are available and they connect the Monterotondo station to the Campus: contact in advance the CNR Campus Secretariat (phone: +39-0690091207; fax: +39-0690091260). Monterotondo is well connected to the Tiburtina railway station in Rome by regular bus and regional FM1 train services. The Roma Termini main station and many other locations in downtown Rome can be easily reached from the Tiburtina station via the underground METRO B and A lines.

From Roma Ciampino Airport the Monterotondo Campus can be reached by taking one of the several direct bus services to Roma Termini, proceeding with the METRO B to Tiburtina station and then with the train service to Monterotondo station (see above).

The Rome external highway ring (Grande Raccordo Anulare - G.R.A.), connecting major roads and motorways, is 15 min from the Monterotondo area (see the road Map). The Monterotondo Campus can be reached from downtown Rome in ca. 30-45 min by car, via the A1 highway (G.R.A. exit n. 10; direction Firenze; exit at Castelnuovo di Porto, follow signs to Monterotondo, go on the new Tiber river bridge, then turn left on via Ramarini at the first roundabout). Slower routes follow the "Via Salaria" national road (road n. SS4; G.R.A. exit n. 8; direction Rieti), or the "Via Tiberina" provincial road (road n. SS3 and SP15/a; G.R.A. exit n. 6; direction Terni, then Fiano Romano, then Monterotondo).

From Roma Fiumicino Airport the Campus can be reached by car in about 60 min (65 km), via the Fiumicino Airport highway (A91-E80; direction Roma Center), the G.R.A. ring (entrance n. 30) and the A1 highway (G.R.A. exit n. 10; direction Firenze; exit at Castelnuovo di Porto, as above). From Roma Ciampino Airport a car trip takes about 45 min (40 km), via the "Via Appia" national road (road n. SS7; direction Roma Center), the G.R.A. ring (entrance n. 23) and the A1 highway (G.R.A. exit n. 10; direction Firenze; exit at Castelnuovo di Porto, as above).
 

Recreational Facilities
 

Sports facilities are available on the site (tennis court, volleyball/basketball courts). Within a few kilometers are a number of attractive towns and villages (Monterotondo, Mentana, Capena, Morlupo, Castelnuovo di Porto, Riano, Fiano Romano, Torrita Tiberina) with good sporting infrastructures and excellent outdoor opportunities. Roma itself offers a wide range of cultural and sporting events and facilities.
 

Educational Facilities

A wide range of excellent educational facilities are available in the Rome area. Major international schools (French Lycèe Chateubriand, Swiss School, German School, two American high schools and several British schools) cover programs that go from kindergarten to high school.