Relic neutralinos and dark matter

We discuss the relevance for supersymmetric theories of;the-further indication of a possible modulation effect in WIMP direct detection recently reported by the DAMA/NaI Collaboration. The main results of our analysis show that the annual modulation data are widely compatible with an interpretation in terms of a relic:neutralino as the major component of dark matter in the Universe, both in the MSSM and in SUGRA schemes. We also discuss the ensuing implications for searches of supersymmetry at accelerators and for indirect searches of neutrallino dark matter.