Pharmacological Biomolecular Sciences, Experimental and Clinical
Doctoral programme (PhD)
A.Y. 2020/2021
Study area
Science and Technology
PhD Coordinator
The doctoral programme, a third cycle programme, makes the most of the multidisciplinary knowledge of the teaching staff to train biomedical experts in the most modern aspects of pharmacological research. In particular, the areas of interest are:
Basic research: the study of key mechanisms and molecules in physiopathological processes to identify new pharmacological targets and/or new markers predictive of disease and therapeutic effectiveness. Research involves: 1) the analysis of molecular and cellular aspects of complex physiological processes, 2) the study of pathogenic mechanisms in diseases, 3) the study of biological markers of use in translation of preclinical research to humans.
Research applied to the pharmacological-toxicological study of active ingredients: 1) analisi analysis of the activity of active principles, including biological drugs under development or in clinical use, 2) analysis of foods, food supplements and therapeutic plant derivatives, 3) analysis of xenobiotic activity.
Research applied to the creation of innovative systems for studying pathologies and developing drugs and evaluation of their effects on the population. Basic research on: 1) the development of cellular and animal models also through genetic engineering methodologies, 2) optimising preclinical protocols for simple and complex diseases, including co-morbidities 3) in silico approaches to the study of new drug-toxicology targets, 4) the use of databases and population studies also to assess drug use and outcomes in terms of clinical events.
Technical-scientific collaboration for revising documentation on active compounds and plant protection products and for drug safety and with other clinical centres.
In conclusion, students will develop competencies applicable to various areas of academic and industrial research, allowing effective "bench to bed" translation and a multidisciplinary approach essential for public health, with significant socio-economic impact on health.
Basic research: the study of key mechanisms and molecules in physiopathological processes to identify new pharmacological targets and/or new markers predictive of disease and therapeutic effectiveness. Research involves: 1) the analysis of molecular and cellular aspects of complex physiological processes, 2) the study of pathogenic mechanisms in diseases, 3) the study of biological markers of use in translation of preclinical research to humans.
Research applied to the pharmacological-toxicological study of active ingredients: 1) analisi analysis of the activity of active principles, including biological drugs under development or in clinical use, 2) analysis of foods, food supplements and therapeutic plant derivatives, 3) analysis of xenobiotic activity.
Research applied to the creation of innovative systems for studying pathologies and developing drugs and evaluation of their effects on the population. Basic research on: 1) the development of cellular and animal models also through genetic engineering methodologies, 2) optimising preclinical protocols for simple and complex diseases, including co-morbidities 3) in silico approaches to the study of new drug-toxicology targets, 4) the use of databases and population studies also to assess drug use and outcomes in terms of clinical events.
Technical-scientific collaboration for revising documentation on active compounds and plant protection products and for drug safety and with other clinical centres.
In conclusion, students will develop competencies applicable to various areas of academic and industrial research, allowing effective "bench to bed" translation and a multidisciplinary approach essential for public health, with significant socio-economic impact on health.
Classi di laurea magistrale - Classes of master's degree:
LM-6 Biologia,
LM-7 Biotecnologie agrarie,
LM-8 Biotecnologie industriali,
LM-9 Biotecnologie mediche, veterinarie e farmaceutiche,
LM-13 Farmacia e farmacia industriale,
LM-17 Fisica,
LM-18 Informatica,
LM-21 Ingegneria biomedica,
LM-41 Medicina e chirurgia,
LM-42 Medicina veterinaria,
LM-55 Scienze cognitive,
LM-60 Scienze della natura,
LM-61 Scienze della nutrizione umana,
LM-69 Scienze e tecnologie agrarie,
LM-70 Scienze e tecnologie alimentari,
LM-75 Scienze e tecnologie per l'ambiente e il territorio,
LM-82 Scienze statistiche,
LM/SNT1 Scienze infermieristiche e ostetriche,
LM/SNT2 Scienze riabilitative delle professioni sanitarie,
LM/SNT3 Scienze delle professioni sanitarie tecniche,
LM/SNT4 Scienze delle professioni sanitarie della prevenzione.
LM-6 Biologia,
LM-7 Biotecnologie agrarie,
LM-8 Biotecnologie industriali,
LM-9 Biotecnologie mediche, veterinarie e farmaceutiche,
LM-13 Farmacia e farmacia industriale,
LM-17 Fisica,
LM-18 Informatica,
LM-21 Ingegneria biomedica,
LM-41 Medicina e chirurgia,
LM-42 Medicina veterinaria,
LM-55 Scienze cognitive,
LM-60 Scienze della natura,
LM-61 Scienze della nutrizione umana,
LM-69 Scienze e tecnologie agrarie,
LM-70 Scienze e tecnologie alimentari,
LM-75 Scienze e tecnologie per l'ambiente e il territorio,
LM-82 Scienze statistiche,
LM/SNT1 Scienze infermieristiche e ostetriche,
LM/SNT2 Scienze riabilitative delle professioni sanitarie,
LM/SNT3 Scienze delle professioni sanitarie tecniche,
LM/SNT4 Scienze delle professioni sanitarie della prevenzione.
Dipartimento di Scienze farmacologiche e biomolecolari - Via G. Balzaretti, 9 - 20133 Milano
- Degree course coordinator: Giuseppe Danilo Norata
[email protected] - Main offices
Dipartimento di Scienze farmacologiche e biomolecolari - Via G. Balzaretti, 9 - 20133 Milano - Degree course website
http://users2.unimi.it/scuolascifarm/
| Title | Professor(s) |
|---|---|
| Insights into the molecular and cellular mechanisms at the basis of multiple sclerosis-related increased susceptibility to trigeminal pain
Requirements: Previous laboratory experience in pharmacology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Previous experience on in vivo preclinical and behavioral studies is preferable. Expertise in the field of basic mechanisms of pain. |
|
| Drug repurposing: a novel strategy to unveil pro-regenerative agents for demyelinating neurological disorders.
Requirements: Previous laboratory experience in pharmacology, biochemistry and molecular biology, cell culture, and, possibly in vivo preclinical models. |
|
| Role of the G protein-coupled receptor GPR17 in rewiring oligodendrocyte lipid metabolism in models of multiple sclerosis
Requirements: Experience in the neuroscience field; experience in vitro on primary cultures from rat or mouse brain; skills in molecular biology (extraction of nucleic acids, qRT-PCR), immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and microscopy; experience in manipulation of rats or mice will be preferred. |
|
| Identification of new pharmacological targets to promote remyelination in models of multiple sclerosis
Requirements: Experience in the neuroscience field; experience in vitro on primary cultures from rat or mouse brain; skills in molecular biology (extraction of nucleic acids, qRT-PCR), immunocytochemistry, immunofluorescence and microscopy; experience in manipulation of rats or mice will be preferred. |
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| 1.The c-Jun N-terminal Kinase 3 inhibition towards the prevention of neurodegeneration 2. SIMBA2, the specific JNK3 inhibitor, to ameliorate hypercholesterolemia and diabetes 3. St-up of an in-vitro model of quadripartite synapse to study synaptic dysfunction 4. Retinal and cognitive dysfunction in type 2 diabetes: unraveling the commonpathways and identification of patients at risk of dementia
Requirements: Knowledge of basic biochemical and histological techniques. Previous experience in in-vivo work. |
|
| Unveiling the role of the Irisin-BNDF axis in controlling muscle to brain metabolic crosstalk in anorexia nervosa
Requirements: Expertise in gene and protein expression studies and in animal manipulation. Expertise in basic morphological dendritic spine analyses using confocal microscopy. |
|
| Chronic stress exposure as potential link between psichiatric disorders and metabolic dysfunctions
Requirements: Expertise in mRNA extraction and analysis (RT- real time PCR), protein extraction and analysis (western blot, ELISA) |
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| Investigating the role of serotonin in the development of psychiatric pathologies: genetic and pharmacological approaches
Requirements: Expertise in mRNA extraction and analysis (RT- real time PCR), protein extraction and analysis (western blot, ELISA) |
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| Familial lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) deficiency: from genetics to precision medicine
Requirements: Laboratory experience (in vitro and animal studies) |
|
| Targeting brain cholesterol in Alzheimer’s Disease
Requirements: Laboratory experience (in vitro and animal studies) |
|
| Dissecting the mechanisms responsible for platelet heterogeneity
Requirements: Expertise in cell and molecular biology, flow cytometry and (confocal) microscopy is an advantage for the position. Attitude to work both independently and as part of a team. Expertise in the field of cardiovascular diseases. |
|
| Application of neuronal in vitro and in vivo neuronal models to study the functional role of novel candidate genes implicated in neurodevelopmental processes and in the pathogenesis of associated disorders.
Requirements: Good knowledge of developmental neurobiology. He/she should also have laboratory experience in cell and molecular biology and preferably of embryology/histology. |
|
| Interplay between lipoprotein metabolism and microbiota in atherosclerosis development
Requirements: Expertise in DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR analyses, protein extraction and analysis (Western blot, ELISA) |
|
| Study of the pathophysiology of the arterial vessels in animal models through “omics” approaches
Requirements: Expertise in DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR analyses, protein extraction and analysis (Western blot, ELISA) |
|
| Metformin and depression: from the psychiatric patient to evidence-based and pharmacoepidemiologic approaches for supporting the clinical practice
Requirements: Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance basic skills; strong knowledge of Office Package (Ex. Word, Excel, Power Point); bibliographic searching basic skills (Ex. Pubmed); Good knowledge of statistical analysis software (Ex. SPSS, SAS) |
|
| Lipid uptake and metabolism as innovative target in breast cancer
Requirements: Fundamental knowledge of Biochemical techniques for protein and lipid purification and analyses, cell and molecular biology. |
|
| Analysis of the effects of e-cigarettes and heat-not burning devices on the inflammatory response. Possible connection with COVID19 infection.
Requirements: Clear interest in cell biology and in the study of the effects of the new smoking devices on the inflammatory response that could favour pathologic conditions. We require that the candidate can carry on independently his/her research project and has a good attitude to working in team with other lab members. Expertise in cellular and molecular biology. |
|
| NAFLD/NASH pharmacological modulation by a SGLT2 inhibitor in a mouse model: possible metabolic implications
Requirements: Clear interest in pharmacology and in hepatic steatosis, lipid-lipoprotein metabolism and microvesicles biology. Individual and team research will be necessary, together with abilities in the field of chromatographic techniques, instrumental analysis and rodent handling. |
|
| Searching for a broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus drug: identification of host cell factors required for the infectious cycle of SARS-CoV-2
Requirements: Interest in the areas of molecular virology and antiviral drugdiscovery. Experience in standard laboratory techniques of cell culture and molecular biology (purification and quantification of viral antigens and nucleic acids, PCR. Real-time PCR, Elisa, Western Blot) and recombinant DNA technology. Familiarity with advanced optical microscopy (immunofluorescence, confocal microsopia, etc). Previous experience in BSL3 laboratory is preferred but not essential. |
|
| Botanicals with anti-inflammatory activity in skin diseases
Requirements: Expertise related to extracts preparation from natural source, bio-guided fractionation, cell culture, transient transfections, ELISA, real time RT-PCR, use of LC-MS/MS instruments. |
|
| Botanicals as anti-inflammatory agents in human gastric epithelial cells
Requirements: Competences in the preparation of extracts from plant material, bio-guided fractionation, cultivation and manipulation of eukaryotic cell cultures, transient transfections, ELISA, extraction of RNA and real time PCR, western blotting, routine biochemical assays, methods to study bacteria-eukaryote interactions. |
|
| Molecular characterization of the lipopolysaccharide transport (Lpt) multiprotein complex in E. coli as a target for new antibacterial strategies.
Requirements: Knowledge and familiarity with basic microbiology techniques, bacterial genetics and molecular biology (molecular cloning, SDS-PAGE, immunoblotting techniques). |
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| Single and repeated exposure to the psychostimulant cocaine during adolescence: behavioral and molecular correlates
Requirements: Expertise in gene and protein expression studies. Expertise in basic morphological dendritic spine analyses using confocal microscopy. |
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| Anti-GluA3 antibodies in Frontotemporal Dementia: from the identification of the pathogenic role to the preclinical evaluation of rescue strategies
Requirements: Knowledge and a genuine interest in neuroscience; good collaborative and social skills and an open-minded mind-set |
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| Soma to synapse: the inverse communication ruling plasticity at specific synapses
Requirements: Knowledge and a genuine interest in neuroscience; experience in performing laboratory work independently; good collaborative and social skills and an open-minded mind-set. |
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| Role of lysosomal acid lipase in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Requirements: Basic knowledge of biochemical, cellular and molecular biology techniques |
|
| Vestibular Schwannoma and sensory hearing impairment: physiopathology of Schwann cells
Requirements: Solid background in cell biology, primary nervous cell culture, glial and neuronal (dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons, Schwann cells, satellite cells, etc.) and vestibular schwannoma cell lines. Expertise in co-culture and in vitro myelination model is expected. Applicant must possess competences in cell biology tests (proliferation, vitality, apoptosis, chemotaxis, cytofluorimetry, etc.), molecular biology (transfections, qRT-PCR, WB, IP, etc.), immunocytochemistry and imaging (CLSM, morphometric analysis, EM, etc.). |
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| Evaluation of polypharmacy in elderly patients and potential for a deprescribing approach
Requirements: Knowledge of pharmacology, and of how to interrogate databases, skills in building and running a database. |
A.L. Catapano
|
| Molecular bases of statin adverse effects (statin-associated muscle symptoms/de novo diabetes mellitus): unveiling novel (off-)targets by a combination of in silico and in vitro approaches
Requirements: Expertise in cell and molecular biology and in molecular pharmacology |
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| Analysis of the crosstalk between ADAM10 and the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2A in synaptic plasticity phenomena.
Requirements: Clear interest in neurobiology and generally in neuroscience. We require that the candidate is able to develop independently on his/her research project and to work in collaboration with the lab members. Expertise in cellular and molecular biology are appreciated but not mandatory. |
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| Deciphering the role of ADAM10 and CAP2 in Age-related accumulation of deficits
Requirements: Clear interest in neurobiology and in the study of the correlation between actin cytoskeleton and mitochondrial function during ageing. We require that the candidate is able to develop independently on his/her research project and to work in collaboration with the lab members. Expertise in cellular and molecular biology are appreciated but not mandatory. |
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| Endocrine disruptors: study of neuro-immuno-endocrine interactions and epigenetic effects
Requirements: The candidate must have a good knowledge of cell culture techniques, flow cytometric analysis, and of the most common molecular biology techniques. |
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| Persistent side-effects of drugs: Inhibitors of the enzyme 5alpha-reductase and antidepressant drugs (SSRI)
Requirements: Experience with animal models, molecular biology techniques |
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| Metabolomic and lipidomic approaches to study pathologies characterized by metabolic dysfunction.
Requirements: Knowledge of lipid, glucose and amino acid metabolism. Quantitative analyses by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry of metabolites involved in different metabolic pathways. Metabolic flux analysis. |
D. Caruso
|
| Epigenetic regulation of adipose tissue metabolism in obesity and type 2 diabetes
Requirements: Knowledge of energy metabolism, analysis of histone code with genomic and proteomic approaches and transcriptional regulation. Knowledge of cellular subsets in adipose tissues, of functions of immune cells infiltrating adipose tissue and of metabolic differences between sexes. Understanding of bioinformatic approaches for analyses of omics data. |
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| Systematic characterization of mitochondrial regulators in hepatocellular carcinoma
Requirements: Knowledge in mitochondrial biochemistry and biology, energy metabolism, and quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry of metabolites involved in different metabolic pathways. Metabolic flux analysis. Gene expression analysis. |
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| Unravelling the role of the novel mitochondrial regulator Zc3h10 in diabetes
Requirements: Gene expression analysis and regulation. Energy metabolism. Quantitative analyses by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry of metabolites involved in different metabolic pathways. Metabolic flux analysis. |
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| Dissecting the role of LRRK2/parkin 8 in the control of glucose homeostasis.
Requirements: Knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy and ion imaging techniques, experience on animal models of diseases and/or induced pluripotent stem cells. |
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| Decifering the role of mechanotransduction in pancreatic beta-cell differentiation: implications for regenerative medicine and diabetes treatment
Requirements: Knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy and ion imaging techniques, experience on organoid and/or induced pluripotent stem cells. |
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| Protective mechanisms against neurotoxic proteins in motoneuron diseases
Requirements: Good knowledge of basic neuroscience and motor neuron diseases. Interest and aptitude for molecular and cellular studies on motor neuron diseases in cells and animal models. |
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| Alternative translation initiation as a novel strategy to block toxicity of the mutant Androgen Receptor in SBMA
Requirements: Good knowledge of basic neuroscience and motor neuron diseases. Interest and aptitude for molecular and cellular studies on motor neuron diseases in cells and animal models. |
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| Investigating the functional and molecular consequences of stress exposure in utero toward the identification of novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders.
Requirements: Knowledge of behavioral analyses for studying animal models to psychiatric disorders; basic knowledge of molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR, and protein analysis. |
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| Etiopathologic and therapeutic mechanisms in stress-based models of vulnerability to mood disorders
Requirements: Knowledge of behavioral analyses for studying animal models to psychiatric disorders; knowledge of basic molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR, transcriptomics and miRNOMics |
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| Investigation of the peripheral mechanisms underlying the response to lithium through next generation sequencing approaches: towards the identification of early biomarkers of response.
Requirements: Knowledge of basic molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR and transcriptomics, miRNOMics. Good expertise in bioinformatic analyses. |
|
| Investigation of the role of inflammation and of the gut microbiome in the transgenerational transmission of vulnerability for stress related disorders.
Requirements: Knowledge of basic molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR and transcriptomics, miRNOMics and metagenomics. Good expertise in bioinformatic analyses. |
|
| Unravelling the role of genetic variants associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease on mitochondrial function
Requirements: Interest to study the mitochondrial derangement in models of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), an expanding cause of advanced liver disease. Be able to work both independently and be available to spend few months abroad. Expertise in cellular and molecular biology as well as the knowledge of software for the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic data obtained by Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) and biomarker panels (miRNome). Development and maintenance of analysis pipelines. |
|
| Lysosomal dysfunctions in neurodegenerative disorders
Requirements: Good knowledge in cellular and molecular biology techniques. Good preparation in the neuroscience field. Interest for working with cellular and animal models. |
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| Interaction between heart and brain: the impact of myocardial infarction on neuroinflammation and brain functions.
Requirements: The candidate should have an interest in cardio- and cerebrovascular science and experience in molecular and cellular biology as well as immunohistochemistry. Experience with in-vivo models is preferred. |
|
| Integrating metabolism and immunity: cellular and molecular pathways leading to metabolic dysregulation and autoimmunity
Requirements: Knowledge in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, immune cell response, cellular and molecular biology, flow cytometry and animal models of atherosclerosis |
A.L. Catapano
|
| Unvealing the role of mannose receptor 1 in atherosclerosis
Requirements: Knowledge in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, immune cell response, cellular and molecular biology, flow cytometry and animal models of atherosclerosis and obesity. |
A.L. Catapano
|
| Unvealing the role of DCIR-2 in cardiometabolic diseases
Requirements: Knowledge in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, immune cell response, cellular and molecular biology, flow cytometry and animal models of atherosclerosis and obesity |
A.L. Catapano
|
| LDL receptor independent effects of PCSK9: focus on insulin resistance, ectopic fat accumulation and low grade inflammation.
Requirements: Knowledge in lipids and lipoprotein biology, metabolic diseases and animal models of atherosclerosis. |
A.L. Catapano
|
| Use of mendelian randomization studies to identify new markers/risk factors for cardiovascular diseases and evaluate their role as possible pharmacological targets
Requirements: Knowledge of the molecular, biological, and clinical aspects of cardiovascular diseases, knowledge of pharmacology. Skills in building and running a database. |
A.L. Catapano
|
| Familial hypercholesterolemia, clinical and genetic studies
Requirements: Knowledge in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, basic of genetics and DNA molecular biology. |
A.L. Catapano
|
| Addressing the mechanisms connecting cholesterol and lipoproptein metabolism with vascular aging and autophagy
Requirements: Knowledge in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, immune cell response, cellular and molecular biology, flow cytometry and animal models of atherosclerosis |
A.L. Catapano
|
| Addressing the role of lysosomal acid lipase (LAL), a check point protein of lipophagy, on the immunometabolic responses of macrophages
Requirements: Knowledge in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, immune cell response, cellular and molecular biology, flow cytometry and animal models of atherosclerosis and metabolic diseases. |
|
| Early life stress and psychopathology: unraveling the mechanisms of vulnerability and resilience.
Requirements: Knowledge of behavioral tests in rodents relevant for the study of psychiatric phenotypes; basic knowledge of molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR, protein analysis and immunohistochemistry. |
Courses list
January 2021
| Courses or activities | Professor(s) | ECTS | Total hours | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Leverage On Genetic Information to Inform On Potential Efficacy of Drugs Targeting Specific Metabolic Pathways | Catapano Alberico Luigi
|
2 | 16 | English |
| Novel Insights in Mental Illness: from Etiology to Therapeutic Outcomes | 2 | 16 | English | |
February 2021
| Courses or activities | Professor(s) | ECTS | Total hours | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Genetic Disorders of Lipid Metabolism: Epidemiology, Diagnosis, Clinical Presentation and Therapeutic Approaches | 2 | 16 | English | |
March 2021
| Courses or activities | Professor(s) | ECTS | Total hours | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Central Role of Metabolism in Health and Disease: Concepts, Omics Approaches, Their Interpretation and Applications | 2 | 16 | English | |
May 2021
| Courses or activities | Professor(s) | ECTS | Total hours | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Advanced Approaches to Neurodegeneration: Focus On Early Stages | 2 | 16 | English | |
| Cellular Models in Neurodegeneratives Diseases | 2 | 16 | English | |
| Introduction to the Unitech Infrastructures for Biomedical Research | 2 | 16 | English | |
| Successful Grant Writing and Preparation | 2 | 16 | English | |
July 2021
| Courses or activities | Professor(s) | ECTS | Total hours | Language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optional | ||||
| Stem Cells in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology | 2 | 16 | English | |
Following the programme of study
Contacts
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