Pharmacological Biomolecular Sciences, Experimental and Clinical

Dottorati
Doctoral programme (PhD)
A.Y. 2021/2022
Study area
Science and Technology
Doctoral programme (PhD)
3
Years
Dipartimento di Scienze farmacologiche e biomolecolari - Via G. Balzaretti, 9 - 20133 Milano
English
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.
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.
Dipartimento di Scienze farmacologiche e biomolecolari - Via G. Balzaretti, 9 - 20133 Milano
Title Professor(s)
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.
Plant-derived extracellular vesicles as dietary components with anti-inflammatory activity
Requirements: 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 mechanisms underlying remyelination failure in 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.
Role of extracellular vesicle-enclosed miRNAs in neuroinflammation
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.
Familial aggregation of subclinical atherosclerosis: relationships among markers of subclinical atherosclerosis in first-degree relatives including grandparents, parents, children, and siblings (including monozygotic and dizygotic twins)
Requirements: Good knowledge of the main computer applications; basis of statistics and epidemiology.
Characterization of subclinical atherosclerosis in the diabetic patient: specific differences in various biomarkers of organ damage and endothelial dysfunction between type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients
Requirements: Good knowledge of the main computer applications; basis of statistics and epidemiology.
Investigation of the neuro-metabolic dysfunctions in an experimental model of anorexia nervosa
Requirements: Expertise in gene (mRNA extraction, real-time PCR) and protein expression (subcellular fraction extraction, western blot, ELISA) studies. Basic expertise in animal manipulation.
Unveiling the neurobiological mechanisms of ketamine: from antidepressant to addictive effects
Requirements: Expertise in gene (real-time PCR) and protein (western blot, ELISA) 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).
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).
Pharmacological modulation of lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT): in silico, in vitro, and in vivo studies.
Requirements: Laboratory experience (in vitro and animal studies).
Targeting brain cholesterol transport in neurodegenerative disorders
Requirements: Laboratory experience (in vitro and animal studies).
Identification of the role of PCSK9 in platelet hyperreactivity
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. Specific expertise in the field of cardiovascular diseases will represent a significant add-on to the candidate’s CV.
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. Specific expertise in the field of cardiovascular diseases will represent a significant add-on to the candidate’s CV.
Application of in vitro and in vivo models for the functional study of new genes implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders.
Requirements: The candidate should have good knowledge of developmental neurobiology principles and techniques. Laboratory experience in histology is preferable.
Functional characterization of a new gene in the control of hypothalamic permeability and in the regulation of puberty.
Requirements: The candidate should have good knowledge of neurobiology and related techniques. Laboratory experience in cell culture models is preferable.
Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on drug use and health care services access in chronic patients
Requirements: Knowledge of pharmacology, and of how to interrogate databases, skills in building and running a database.
A. L. Catapano
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
Familial hypercholesterolemia, clinical and genetic studies
Requirements: Knowledge in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, basic of genetics and DNA molecular biology.
A. L. Catapano
Central and Peripheral mechanisms associated with the development of mental illnesses in comorbidity in association with exposures to stressful events and identification of treatment response biomarkers
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; knowledge of the methodologies required to manage and process human biological samples.
Identification of mechanisms associated with the transmission of vulnerability for depression from one generation to another and potential role of preventive strategies
Requirements: Knowledge of behavioral analyses for studying animal models to psychiatric disorders; basic knowledge of molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR, and transcriptomic analyses; ability in managing and processing human samples as well as a basic knowledge in analyzing clinical data.
Exposure to stress during adolescence and vulnerability or resilience to develop cognitive dysfunctions, behavioural and metabolic alterations: role of the gut microbiome and inflammatory processes
Requirements: Knowledge of behavioral analyses for studying animal models to psychiatric disorders; basic knowledge of molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR, and transcriptomic analyses.
Evaluation of the beneficial effects of a purple corn-based nutraceutical supplement on the development of multiple sclerosis and associated trigeminal pain: role of gut microbiota.
Requirements: The candidate must demonstrate previous laboratory experience in pharmacology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Previous experience on in vivo preclinical and behavioral studies.
Impact of the age-associated shifts of intestinal microbiota on the gut-brain axis: role of glial cells and evaluation of mechanistic and therapeutic aspects.
Requirements: The candidate must demonstrate previous laboratory experience in pharmacology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Previous experience on in vivo preclinical and behavioral studies is preferable.
Interplay between lipoprotein metabolism and microbiota in atherosclerosis development.
Requirements: Knowledge of the use of animal models, 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: Knowledge of the use of animal models, expertise in DNA and RNA extraction, PCR and qPCR analyses, protein extraction and analysis (Western blot, ELISA).
Patient-derived EVs for cancer-specific targeting: an exosome-interference strategy for tumour diagnosis and treatment
Requirements: Basic molecular and cellular biology, fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter systems, laboratory animal handling; Office package and statistic programs.
Development of optical imaging tools to investigate molecular events during neurodegeneration in the temporal dimension
Requirements: Basic molecular and cellular biology, fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter systems, laboratory animal handling; Office package and statistic programs.
Neuroinflammation as a target for endocrine drugs
Requirements: Basic molecular and cellular biology, fluorescent and bioluminescent reporter systems, laboratory animal handling; Office package and statistic programs.
The role of antidiabetic drugs in ameliorating cognitive functions and psychiatric symptoms: 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)
A multidisciplinary evidence-based approach to evaluate changes in cognitive and psycho-social functions in depressed patients, following the use of metformin.
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)
Evaluation of the impact of specific nutritional approaches and fasting-mimetic drugs on tumor metabolism, immune surveillance and chemotherapy efficacy
Requirements: Knowledge of biochemical cellular and molecular biology techniques
Study of the role of membrane lipids and lipid metabolism in chemo resistance by biochemical and biophysical approaches
Requirements: Knowledge of biochemical cellular and molecular biology techniques
Effects of e-cigarettes and heat-not burning devices on vascular smooth muscle cell senescence in atherosclerosis)
Requirements: We look for a highly motivated person who is really interested in cell biology and in the study of the effects of the new smoking devices on the inflammatory response that could favor pathologic conditions. We require that the candidate can carry on independently his/her research project and has a good attitude to team-working .
Effect of naive or pharmacologically-modified extracellular vesicles in in vitro models to find novel treatments for oncological and cardiovascular pathologies.
Requirements: The candidate should possess knowledge in the field of extracellualr vesicles, lipids, tumors and cardiovascular diseases, good lab practice, team working capacities.
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 and antibacterial agents in human gastric epithelial cells infected with Helicobacter pylori
Requirements: Competences in the preparation of extracts from plant material, bio-guided fractionation, cultivation and manipulation of eukaryotic cell cultures, cultivation of H. pylori, transient transfections, ELISA, extraction of RNA and real time PCR, western blotting, routine biochemical assays, methods to study bacteria-eukaryote interactions.
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.
Dissecting the role of Rabphilin-3A in the structural organization of the excitatory synapse
Requirements: Knowledge and a genuine interest in neuroscience; good collaborative and social skills and an open-minded mind-set.
Druggable membrane transporters of the OCTN and RFVT families: multifaceted approaches to unravel their structure-function relationships
Requirements: Knowledge of structural bioinformatics and molecular modeling approaches, with application to membrane transporters.
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.
Early life social experiences and dysregulation of the brain reward system: The role of endocannabinoid transmission
Requirements: Expertise in mRNA extraction and analysis (RT- real time PCR), protein extraction and analysis (western blot, ELISA).
New strategies to enhance the trophic functions and remyelinating abilities of oligodendrocyte progenitors in neurological disorders characterized by demyelination.
Requirements: The ideal candidate must demonstrate previous laboratory experience in pharmacology, biochemistry and molecular biology, cell culture, and, possibly on in vivo preclinical models.
Understanding the immunological role of oligodendrocyte progenitors in experimental models of multiple sclerosis
Requirements: The ideal candidate must demonstrate previous laboratory experience in pharmacology, biochemistry and molecular biology, cell culture, and, possibly on in vivo preclinical models.
Identification of pharmacological approaches blocking alpha-synuclein synaptic toxicity in experimental models of Parkinson’s disease
Requirements: Knowledge and a genuine interest in neuroscience; good collaborative and social skills and an open-minded mind-set.
Dissecting the role of anti-GluA3 antibodies in Frontotemporal Dementia
Requirements: Knowledge and a genuine interest in neuroscience; good collaborative and social skills and an open-minded mind-set.
Acquired lysosomal acid lipase deficiency in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: prognostic, causative and therapeutic role
Requirements: Basic knowledge of biochemical, cellular and molecular biology techniques.
Investigating the role of lysosomal acid lipase in immune cell function
Requirements: Basic knowledge of biochemical, cellular and molecular biology techniques.
PKC-epsilon role and possible therapeutic approach of neuropathic pain
Requirements: The applicant must set up primary glial and neuronal cell culture (dorsal root ganglia sensory neurons, Schwann cells, satellite cells, etc.). Expertise in co-culture and in vitro myelination model is expected. Applicant must set-up tests for proliferation, vitality, apoptosis, chemotaxis, cytofluorimetry, etc., transfections, qRT-PCR, WB, immunocytochemistry, imaging (CLSM, morphometric analysis, EM, etc.) and bioinformatic analysis.
Vestibular Schwannoma and sensory hearing impairment: physiopathology of Schwann cells
Requirements: The applicant must set up 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. The applicant must set-up for exposition of cell cultures to electromagnetic fields of variable intensity. Applicant must possess competences in cell biology tests (proliferation, vitality, apoptosis, chemotaxis, cytofluorimetry, etc.), molecular biology (transfections, qRT-PCR, WB, IP, etc.), immunocytochemistry, imaging (CLSM, morphometric analysis, EM, etc.) and bioinformatic analysis.
Implementation of proteomic biomarker analysis for atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk assessment
Requirements: Knowledge of the molecular pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, laboratory training in molecular biology, or expertise in clinical study management
Artificial intelligence and machine learning to predict cardio-vascular disease risk in subjects in primary cardio-vascular prevention
Requirements: Knowledge of the molecular pathophysiology of atherosclerosis, laboratory training in molecular biology, or expertise in clinical study management
Analysis of the crosstalk between ADAM10 and the NMDA receptor subunit GluN2A in synaptic plasticity phenomena.
Requirements: We look for a highly motivated person who is really interested in neurobiology and generally in neuroscience. Expertise in cellular and molecular biology.
Deciphering the role of ADAM10 and CAP2 in Alzheimer's Disease pathogenesis.
Requirements: We look for a highly motivated person who is really interested in neurobiology and generally in neuroscience. Expertise in cellular and molecular biology.
Exposure to environmental toxicants during development and adverse outcome in the cognitive domain
Requirements: Experience on primary cell cultures (laboratory animal management and practice) , molecular biology (DNA, RNA, and protein extraction, and analysis methods including quantitative PCR, Western blots), biochemical methods (analysis of ion fluxes, viability tests) and imaging techniques, general knowledge in toxicology and/or neuroscience.
Role of microRNAs in the regulation of immune response induced by chemical allergen of different potency
Requirements: Good knowledge of cell culture techniques, of the most common molecular biology and cytotoxicity techniques. Experience in working with in vitro methods.
Post-finasteride syndrome: role of the neurotransmitters and of the steroidogenesis in peripheral glands, colon and nervous system.
Requirements: Knowledge of mass spectrometry and molecular biology techniques to be applied in the field of steroids and neurotransmitters.
D. Caruso
Post-SSRI sexual dysfunction: role of the neurotransmitters and of the steroidogenesis in peripheral glands, colon and nervous system.
Requirements: Knowledge of mass spectrometry and molecular biology techniques to be applied in the field of steroids and neurotransmitters.
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.
Study of selective histone deacetylase inhibitors and role in the regulation of metabolism in physiology and pathological states
Requirements: Principles of energy metabolism, analysis of metabolic regulation using genomic and metabolomic methodologies. Knowledge of cell types found in adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, and liver. Understanding of bioinformatics methodologies for analysis of data from omics approaches.
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.
D. Caruso
Targeted and untargeted metabolomic and lipidomic approaches for the biochemical characterization of food and matrices of natural origin
Requirements: Knowledge of lipid metabolism. Qualitative and quantitative analyses by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry of metabolites involved in biochemical processes.
D. Caruso
Systematic characterization of metabolic regulators in hepatocellular carcinoma
Requirements: Knowledge in biochemistry, energy metabolism, and quantitative analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry of metabolites involved in different metabolic pathways. Metabolic flux analysis. Gene expression analysis.
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.
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
Unveiling 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
Unveiling the role of ASGR1 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
Exploring the liver-to-pancreas crosstalk to uncover molecules that regulate β-cell function and mass
Requirements: Knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy techniques, animal models of diseases, 3D cultures and microfluidic.
Dissecting the role of LRRK2/parkin 8 in the control of glucose homeostasis.
Requirements: Knowledge in cellular and molecular biology, fluorescence microscopy, electrophysiology and ion imaging techniques, experience on animal models of diseases and/or induced pluripotent stem cells.
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 in cells and animal models.
Novel strategies 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 in cells and animal models.
Protein quality control and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: focus on the role of the heat shock protein HSPB8 with in vivo studies.
Requirements: Basic knowledge of rodent manipulation and molecular biology techniques. High motivation for research.
Role of altered skeletal muscle function in motor neuron diseases.
Requirements: Basic knowledge of rodent manipulation and molecular biology techniques. High motivation for research.
Molecular mechanisms of lysosomal damage in neurodegenerative diseases
Requirements: Good knowledge in cellular and molecular biology techniques. Good preparation in the neuroscience field.
Autophagy in polyglutamine diseases: from mechanism to therapeutic approaches
Requirements: Good knowledge in cellular and molecular biology techniques. Good preparation in the neuroscience field.
Extracellular Vesicles in the pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Requirements: Good knowledge in cellular and molecular biology techniques. Good background in neuroscience. Interest for working with cellular models.
The spreading of Tar-DNA-bindig protein 43 (TDP-43) aggregates.
Requirements: Good knowledge in cellular and molecular biology techniques. Good background in neuroscience. Interest for working with cellular models.
Molecular mechanisms of repeat expansion diseases: the role of CHIP protein.
Requirements: Good knowledge in cellular and molecular biology techniques. Interest and aptitude for molecular and cellular studies in the neuroscience field.
The role of chaperone mediated autophagy (CMA) in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy.
Requirements: Good knowledge in cellular and molecular biology techniques. Interest and aptitude for molecular and cellular studies in the neuroscience field.
Boosting resilience during adolescence to prevent psychopathologies following exposure to adverse events during pregnancy.
Requirements: Animal manipulations, knowledge of behavioral analyses for studying animal models to psychiatric disorders; basic knowledge of molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR, protein analysis as well as of immunocytochemistry.
Identification of brain circuits and mechanisms responsible for stress vulnerability: toward the development of novel therapeutic strategies for psychiatric disorders.
Requirements: Animal manipulations, knowledge of behavioral analyses for studying animal models to psychiatric disorders; Knowledge of basic molecular biology methodologies, such as real time PCR and transcriptomics as well as of brain imaging.
Targeting the FGF23-Klotho axis for diagnostics of microgravity induced osteoporosis on ISS
Requirements: Knowledge of biochemical cellular and molecular biology techniques
Role of omega-3 fatty acids in the development and adjuvant therapy of chronic-degenerative diseases
Requirements: Knowledge of biochemical cellular and molecular biology techniques
The role of extracellular vesicles in atherosclerosis.
Requirements: Highly motivated person with a clear interest in the field of pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Be able to work both independently and within a multinational group and be available to spend few months abroad. The knowledge of few techniques of molecular biology is required.
Pollution leads to a rise in cardiovascular risk.
Requirements: Highly motivated person with a clear interest in the field of pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Be able to work both independently and within a multinational group and be available to spend few months abroad. The knowledge of few techniques of molecular biology is required.
Identification of chronic pain as a risk factor for developing fragility in ageing. Experimental and clinical study
Requirements: The student will evaluate complex behaviors such as the presence of painful hypersensitivity and the presence of mood alterations in mice. Moreover, he/she will use biochemical and molecular biology techniques to identify molecular mechanisms shared by pain and frailty.
Identification of neuroinflammation as common substrate to neurological side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs in mouse models.
Requirements: The student will perform behavioral experiments with mice to identify the presence of pain and mood alteration (anxiety and depression). He/She will use sensory neurons primary cultures and will apply biochemical and molecular biology methods to assess the presence of neurotoxicity and neuroinflammation in the cultures and in relevant nervous tissues.
Ethnopharmacological study on the biological properties of plants and their preparations traditionally used in specific geographical or cultural contexts.
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, use of analytical instruments.
Evaluation of botanicals in the intestine: permeability and anti-inflammatory activity.
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, use of analytical instruments.
Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) as a novel target for therapy of brain and heart ischemia
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.
Interaction between heart and brain: the impact of myocardial infarction on neuroinflammation.
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.
Molecular characterization of the multiprotein lipopolysaccharide transport complex (Lpt) in Escherichia 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).
Synthesis, molecular characterization, and optimization of chimeric derivatives of the antimicrobial peptide Thanatin, for the development of inhibitors to prevent Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections.
Requirements: Knowledge of basic microbiology techniques, bacterial genetics and molecular biology. Willingness to carry out part of the activity in the laboratory of Inorganic Chemistry at DISFARM (Unimi).

Courses list

January 2022
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Experimental Models and Rnaseq Technique to Investigate Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Psychiatric Disorders 2 16 English
February 2022
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Genetic Approaches to Study Cellular Metabolism. from a Working Hypothesis to a Successful Erc Application
2 16 English
Gut Brain- and Liver Brain- Axis: Theoretical and Practical Aspects Related to Metagenomics 2 16 English
March 2022
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Basics of Statistics and Applications in Biomedical Research 2 16 English
The Central Role of Metabolism in Health and Disease: Concepts, Omics Approaches, Their Interpretation and Applications
Caruso Donatella Maria
2 16 English
May 2022
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
Successful Grant Writing and Preparation 2 16 English
July 2022
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Introduction to the Unitech Infrastructures for Biomedical Research
Caruso Donatella Maria
2 16 English
Stem Cells in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 2 16 English