Translational Medicine

Dottorati
Doctoral programme (PhD)
A.Y. 2023/2024
Study area
Medicine and Healthcare
Doctoral programme (PhD)
3
Years
Dipartimento di Scienze biomediche per la salute - Via Mangiagalli, 31 - 20133 Milano
English
PhD Coordinator
The doctoral programme aims to train researchers who are able to develop research projects that bridge the gap between laboratory activity and clinical sciences, facilitating the translational process in both directions.
Aims:
1. understand and study biological structures in the different levels of organisation, their physiological and pathological modifications in the framework of interactions between people and the environment, exploring diagnostic and therapeutic interventions and facilitating their application in clinical practice;
2. learn a scientific translational research approach which can favour points of contact between biological and clinical-behavioural discoveries and preventive, therapeutic and rehabilitation practices in order to improve di health and lifestyle, also considering the global increase in life expectancy;
3. acquire a solid preparation in the methodological disciplines required to formulate correct experimental hypotheses, define experimental designs and critically interpret results;
4. promote communication between biological and clinical-behavioural research, particularly in relation to movement and physical activity in the area of prevention, mental-physical wellbeing, sport and professional performance, in conditions of health, illness and disability, in a unified perspective;
5. understand the ethical implications of clinical and biological research.
Tutte le classi di laurea magistrale - All classes of master's degree
Dipartimento di Scienze biomediche per la salute - Via Mangiagalli, 31 - 20133 Milano
Title Professor(s)
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathogenesis of vascular calcification in uremia. Vascular calcification (VC) is a major feature of the increased cardiovascular risk in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The aim of this project is to study the effect of uremic toxins on vascular smooth muscle and endothelial cells and to setup a new in vitro model of co-colture, to better understand the pathogenesis of VC in uremia
Requirements: Cell Colture, Western-blot, Real time PCR
Role of sphingolipids in the mechanism of repair of damaged myelin, with focus on multiple sclerosis.
Requirements: Knowledge of the basics of sphingolipid biochemistry. Knowledge of the techniques of cell culture.
Morphological and metrical assessment of the skeleton: study of the biological variability in clinical, surgical and anthropological contexts
Requirements: Basilar knowledge of the skeletal anatomy
Nanotechnological approaches for diagnosis, treatment and management of cancer
Requirements: Cell biology skills for the management of immortalized human or mouse cell lines. Knowledge of the main biochemical techniques.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying Kleefstra syndrome
Requirements: Basic knowledge of molecular and cellular biology techniques
V-ATPase at the crossroad of epigenetics and bioenergetics in glioma stem cells
Requirements: Basic comptences in molecular and cellular biology; skills in data analysis
Development of preclinical models of acute lung injury for the optimization of the ventilatory and extracoporeal support
Requirements: Experience on the topic
BAL-EV (BRONCHOALVEOLAR LAVAGE FLUID-EXTRACELLULAR VESICLES) SIGNALING IN THE LUNG MICROENVIRONMENT OF LUNG TRANSPLANTED PATIENTS
Requirements: Basic comptences in molecular and cellular biology; skills in data analysis
Study of infectivity and severity of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses based on isolated variants
Requirements: Basic Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology
Establishment of new in vitro models to study the West nile virus-host interaction and seroepidemiologic studies on emerging arbovirus infections
Requirements: Basic Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology
Molecular mechanisms of host–parasite interactions in cutaneous Leishmaniasis: new in vitro 2D-3D models to unveil the role of macrophages, keratinocytes, and endothelial cells in the establishment of infection at the site of inoculum.
Requirements: Basic Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology
Immunomodulatory activity of vector-borne, protozoa parasites (Malaria & Leishmania) and their products on macrophages, microglia, and endothelial cells from different anatomical origins: implication for the pathogenesis and establishment of chronic infections.
Requirements: Basic Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology
Innate immunity in malaria-leishmaniasis co-infection: role of the Pattern Recognition Receptors (PRR) in macrophages activation and dendritic cells maturation
Requirements: Basic Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology
Drug discovery for vector borne, poverty-related, emerging parasitic diseases, malaria and leishmaniasis: identification of novel potential antiparasitic compounds and their mechanisms of action to overcome the problem of resistance.
Requirements: Basic Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology
Pathogenic implications of co-infections. In vitro models to study immunological, molecular and epigenetic determinants.
Requirements: Knowledge of cellular and molecular immunology with omics approach
Identification of new vaccine strategies for the generation of effective and lasting humoral and cell-mediated responses
Requirements: Knowledge of cellular and molecular immunology with omics approach
Characterization of molecular mechanisms involved in antigen presentation pathway responsible for antiviral immune response
Requirements: Knowledge of cellular and molecular immunology with omics approach.
Effects of microplastics on the immune system and on inflammatory processes
Requirements: Knowledge of cellular and molecular immunology
Aggressive pituitary tumors: correlation between clinical and molecular characteristics
Requirements: Experience in the neuroendocrinology field
Immunophenotyping of peripheral and target tissue-resident lymphocytes in Graves’ Disease and Orbitopathy with predictive, prognostic and therapeutic purposes.
Requirements: Cell cultures; isolation of mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (Ficoll) and tissue; flow cytometry; cell proliferation assays; cytokine analysis (ELISA, ELISPOT); extraction and analysis of nucleic acids (PCR) and proteins (western blot, spectrophotometry); tissue staining (hematoxylin-eosin, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry).
Combining whole exome and RNA sequencing to identify genetic and molecular pathways in neuromuscular disorders and to characterize patient cohorts for gene therapy (SEQMD).
Requirements: Basic knowledge in cell culture and in molecular biology.
In-vitro and in-vivo development of a mRNA-based therapeutics for primary mitochondrial encephalohepatopathies.
Requirements: Basic knowledge in cell culture and in molecular biology.
Biomechanics and bioenergetics of human locomotion in simulated hypogravity
Requirements: Knowledge of muscle and locomotion physiology and biomechanics; skills in data analysis also with purposely written software
In vivo human studies of exercise-stimulated metabolism to elicit anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory responses in dysmetabolic conditions. In particular, it wil be covered: incremental exercise testing in normal weight, overweight/obese subjects, and athletes - measurements, clinical indications, and metabolic determinants related to energy metabolism.
Requirements: Good knowledge of the anatomical and physiological aspects of neuro-endocrine-muscular systems.
Role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in modulating pathological processes
Requirements: Knowledge of the main biochemistry and molecular biology techniques; ability in handling cultured cell line models.
Role of the (sphingo)lipid metabolism in the pathological fibrotic process
Requirements: Knowledge of the main biochemistry and molecular biology techniques; ability in handling cultured cell line models.
(Sphingo)lipid dysmetabolism and primary hepatic cancer
Requirements: Knowledge of the main biochemistry and molecular biology techniques; ability in handling cultured cell line models.
Novel syndromic alterations associated with the glycosphingolipid dismetabolism
Requirements: Knowledge of the main biochemistry and molecular biology techniques; ability in handling cultured cell line models.
M. Trinchera (Uninsubria)
Characterization of the effect extracellular matrix components, tumor microenvironment and 3D arrangement on carcinoma progression
Requirements: Knowledge of cell and molecular biology
Study of collagen turnover and expression of genes and proteins involved in extracellular matrix remodeling in connective tissue in physiological and pathological conditions, and after pharmacological treatment
Requirements: Knowledge of cell and molecular biology
Study of metabolism alterations in cardiomyophaties : identification of predictive and prognostic markers and therapeutic targets
Requirements: Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology and general pathology is required. The candidate must have a marked interest in research activity aimed at identifying the biochemical mechanisms involved in the insurgence and progression of human diseases.
Study of energy metabolism in Parkinson's neurodegeneration and of the molecular and metabolic effects of the electrostimulation therapy in Parkinson's disease
Requirements: Knowledge of cellular and molecular biology and general pathology is required. The candidate must have a marked interest in research activity aimed at identifying the biochemical mechanisms involved in the insurgence and progression of human diseases.
Role of the small airways in the physiopathology of pulmonary diseases, with particular reference to the effects of small airways cyclic opening and closing in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and in animal models.
Requirements: Knowledge of respiratory physiology, biophysics and/or biomechanics.
Identification and functional validation of new candidate genes in patients with rare endocrine diseases by combined NGS analyses (WES, targeted, WGS): in vitro and /or in vivo studies.
Requirements: Knowledge in endocrinology, basic-level skills in next-generation sequencing techniques, cellular cultures and statistics applied to biomedical research.
M. Muzza (Auxologico)
Network Physiology (NP) is an emerging field of computational physiology that allows to study the cardiovascular and cerebrovascular regulatory systems and their dynamical interactions. The project will evaluate associations between the functioning of physiological control mechanisms, as assessed via typical NP methods before major cardiac surgery, and the development of postoperative cardiovascular and cerebrovascular adverse events.
Requirements: Expertise in biomedical signal processing and statistics.
An impairment of the cardiac neural control during physical exercise and recovery phase can expose the subject to the risk of arrhythmic events. The project will use advanced time series analysis techniques for the indirect assessment of the cardiac neural control during maximal physical exercise and the return to baseline situation.
Requirements: Expertise in biomedical signal processing and statistics.
Cerebrovascular autoregulation is a fundamental mechanism for maintaining adequate cerebral perfusion in the presence of blood pressure changes. The autonomic nervous system plays an important role in the regulation of vascular resistances. The project will use advanced signal processing techniques to characterize the interaction between the autonomic nervous system and cerebrovascular autoregulation in physiological conditions and in critical situations.
Requirements: Expertise in biomedical signal processing and statistics.
Biomarkers associated with the diagnosis of Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders: epigenetic, inflammatory and hormonal factors involved in the etiology and outcome of these psychiatric conditions
Requirements: Competence in the field of translational research (including mental health assessment) and/ or in the field of molecular biology
SPHINGOLIPID METABOLISM AND SIGNALING AS A THERAPEUTIC TARGET IN TUMOR CELLS. The research project aims to study sphingolipid-mediated signal transduction mechanisms in physio-pathological processes with the aim of identifying targets for the development of innovative and effective therapies against tumors. In particular, the metabolism and the functional properties of specific sphingoid mediators will be investigated in the tumorigenicity of tumor and /or cancer stem cells.
Requirements: Basic knowledge of the experimental procedures used in a biochemical research laboratory
The project plans to study platelet activation in patients thrombocytopenia associated to different immune diseases with hemorrhagic or thrombotic phenotype, evaluating the modulation of therapies. Platelet activation will be evaluated "ex vivo" and "in vitro" through flowcytometry and using a microfluidic platform. This system simulates the conditions of the blood flow and allows to evaluate platelet thromboformation by varying analytical conditions.
Requirements: Previous laboratory experience with knowledge of the main biochemistry
Dissetting the molecular mechanism that links loss of lysosomal function with the onset of Parkinson's disease and development of new therapeutic strategies
Requirements: Experience in cell culture
Lipid-based therapeutic strategies to optimize the effectiveness of innovative drugs to rescue mutated CFTR
Requirements: Experience in cell culture
Identification and evaluation of the genetic mechanisms underlying liver disease development to develop precision medicine approaches
Requirements: Previous research experience in clinical or basic hepatology, or genetics/molecular biology or bioinformatics/computational sciences
Morphofunctional tuning of the body barriers: nutraceutical applications
Requirements: Good knowledge of cell biology and of cell culture in vitro preparation/maintenance
Three-dimensional analysis of human movement in health, disease and sports
Requirements: Basic knowledge of the human locomotor system: anatomy and biomechanics
Three-dimensional analysis of human head morphology in health and disease
Requirements: Basic knowledge of head anatomy (soft and hard tissues)
Development of cellular and molecular therapeutic approaches for neurological diseases
Requirements: knowledge and experience in cellular and molecular biology
Etiopathogenetic study and translational medicine research applied to neuromuscular and neurodegenerative diseases.
Requirements: Experience in cell culture and molecular biology
Hypertension and cardiac fibrosis focus on cellular crosstalk and sphingolipid signaling on heart tissue estracts from hypertensive Emilin 1 knockout mice, by monitoring protein and sphingolipid composition in heart tissue extracts and cardiomyocytes. Objectives will be reached by untargeted LC-MS/MS analysis for protein and sphingolipids followed by validation. Advanced bioinformatics tools will be utilized for data interpretation obtained by high-throughput technologies. The project will provide better insight into mechanisms contributing to cardiac fibrosis.
Comprehensive analysis of the determinants of the metabolic cost of running, via 3D motion capture, dynamometry, EMG, ultrasound measurements, in order to assess and explain the role of elastic energy stored and released by the muscle-tendon unit, in causing its independence from the progression speed..
Requirements: Interest/knowledge in physiology and biomechanics of locomotion. Software design.
Autonomic nervous system assessment to optimize training in elite athletes and to optimize exercise prescription for cardio‐metabolic and cancer treatment/prevention
Requirements: Knowledge of exercise physiology, elements of neurophysiology of the autonomic nervous system, basic etiopathogenetic mechanisms of cardiometabolic and oncological pathologies.
lifestyle (focusing mainly on physical exercise) as sustainable tool for individual, environment and society, fostering wellbeing and reducing cardiometabolic risk factors
Requirements: Knowledge of exercise physiology, elements of neurophysiology of the autonomic nervous system, basic etiopathogenetic mechanisms of cardiometabolic and oncological pathologies.
Hereditary angioedema due to C1-inhibitor deficiency (HAE) is a rare and potentially fatal autosomal dominant disease characterised by localized edema of the subcutaneous and submucosal tissue. It can be considered the paradigm of Paroxysmal Permeability Diseases (PPDs), pathological conditions characterized by sudden, recurrent, but reversible increase of endothelial permeability without inflammatory, degenerative or ischemic injury. Considering the central role of endothelium in PPD the project will address the interplay between endothelial cells and C1INH in the pathophysiology of HAE.
Requirements: Basic knowledge of cellular and molecular biology.
Analysis of AMPK role in preventing atrial electrical remodeling associated wIth age-dependent arrhythmias
Requirements: Knowledge of cell biology and/or molecular biology and/or electrophysiology and/or biophysics
This research program will provide basic knowledge of neuroimaging, omic, neurotransmitter and neurocognitive bases of the major psychiatric illnesses, such as psychotic, mood and anxiety spectrum disorders, with particular regards to brain connectivity and prefronto-limbic neuropsychological, omic, and neuromodulatory dimensions. Examples will be provided on how brain imaging, neurophysiological, omic, and neuropsychological multimodal multisource measures need to be analysed and integrated, and how they can be translated into clinical knowledge for assessment of pathophysiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response of those major psychiatric disorders.
Requirements: basic knowledge of Machine Learning techniques and of coding languages (Matlab or R); and of brain imaging
Study of the gastrointestinal tract as a pathogenic site of HIV infection. We aim to asses the mucosal barrier, local immunity and the microbiome during HIV infection.
Requirements: Basic knowledege of Cell Biology
Immunepathogenesis of PACS (Post-Acute Covid-19 syndrome). Wer aim to investigate T and B-cell immunity in subjects with PACS
Requirements: Basic knowledege of Cell Biology
New "omics" approaches for mitochondrial disorders
Requirements: Experience in NGS. Knowledge of molecular biology
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a disease characterized by organ damage caused by the formation of clots in the microcirculation, especially in the cerebral circulation. Recent studies have shown that patients with TTP are at risk of developing cerebrovascular events during clinical remission. This may be the result of endothelial dysfunction that occurs during the acute event and that may continue in some patients during clinical remission. In this study, we propose to estimate the prevalence of cerebralsmall vessel disease through the identification of typical neuroradiological features, and to evaluate its association with new biomarkers of neuronal, astrocytic, and microcirculatory damage, in order to identify predictive biomarkers of an increased risk of cerebrovascular events.
Requirements: The candidate should have knowledge of the basics of brain imaging and should be updated on new biomarkers used in clinical and research activities in neurology and microcirculatory diseases
Predictive and complementary biomarkers in HR+/ HER2- breast cancer. The project will combine histology, immunohistochemistry and next-generation sequencing techniques on tissue and liquid biopsy samples to identify clinically relevant subgroup of patients.
Requirements: Theoretical-practical knowledge of the main molecular pathology techniques, as well as mastery of the most common digital media including Windows, Office, image processing tools and social media.
Identification and study of clinicopathological and molecular biomarkers predictive of response or resistance to PARP inhibitors therapies in solid tumors. This project, which will use molecular biology and digital pathology techniques, will be carried out within the Oncology Genetics Unit at the Division of Pathology at the European Institute of Oncology.
Requirements: Theoretical/practical mastery of major molecular biology/pathology techniques and data analysis tools.
Integrated approach for the characterisation of bacterial virulence and resistance factors, host immunity and microbiota in severe infections in critically ill patients: identification of possible targets for intervention. The project includes the characterisation by sequencing of the bacterial genome with the identification of virulence and resistance factors, the study of innate and adaptive immunity and the analysis of the microbiota (intestinal and respiratory).
Requirements: Knowledge of the pathogenetic basis of infectious diseases, knowledge of omics approaches.
Translational research on biological material from COVID-19 patients has the objective to understand disease mechanisms and identify therapeutic targets to address future epidemics. Aims of the research are to investigate the immunological, genetic, and epigenetic patients’ features with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection and the molecular characteristics of the virus, and to explore which disease mechanisms and host factors are associated with COVID-19 severity. The project has the final objective to improve disease management, identify possible therapeutic and vaccine-mediated immune targets.
Requirements: Knowledge of the pathogenetic basis of infectious diseases, knowledge of immunology and omics approaches
Understanding pathogenetic mechanisms in polymicrobial biofilms
Requirements: Basic knowledge of Microbiology
Microbiota-gut-brain axis in neurodevelopmental disorders
Requirements: Basic knowledge of molecular Biology
Molecular and phylogenetic approaches for studying pathogens with a high social and health burden
Requirements: Basic knowledge of Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Identification and characterization of novel disease-associated genes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia through next-generation sequencing
Discovery of active substances from Gypenosides with anti-arrhythmic effects and their regulation of ion channels (ex DM 117/2023)
Epigenomic profiling of peripheral blood lymphocytes in type 1 diabetes to identify possible disease markers related to the clinical phenotype
Requirements: Knowledge of basic genomics and molecular biological techniques
Evaluation and characterization of spontaneous platelet aggregation as a potential marker of platelet hyper-reactivity in patients with Type 1 Diabetes
Requirements: Knowledge of biomedical laboratory techniques
Gut microbial signatures as biomarkers in disease exacerbation
Requirements: Basic knowledge of microbiology and its techniques
Application of systems of predictive analytics and artificial intelligence to data relative to salivary bioscience and diagnosis in general (ex DM 117/2023)
Requirements: experience of image analysis in patients with neurodegenerative and demyelinating pathologies

Courses list

December 2023
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Compulsory
Gene and Cell Therapy Program in Hematology
3 16 English
March 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Compulsory
2d, 3d and 4d Ipsc-Derived Cellular Models to Study Neuromuscular Diseases 2 12 English
Genetic and Molecular Diagnosis in Endocrine Diseases 2 10 English
November 2023
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Compulsory
Evaluation of Physical Exercise - 2024 Update 2 14 English
February 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Compulsory
Biomarkers in Precision Medicine: Bridge the Gap Between Translational Research and Clinical Practice 2 14 English
March 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Cardiovascular Interactions 3 16 English
April 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Compulsory
Hemostasis and Inflammation: from Molecular Aspects to Organ Damage 2 10 English
May 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Compulsory
Psychiatric Neurosciences
2 10 English
Optional
Autonomic Nervous System Regulation in Elite Sport and Exercise 2 10 English
April 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Single Cell Analysis for Biomolecular and Matobolomic Pathways Discovery 2 12 English
May 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Evolution of Modern Medicine 2 16 English
January 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Motor Learning and Relearning in Neurological Conditions 2 10 English
February 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Application of 3d-Based Assessment Methods to Anatomical Structures: from Acquisition to Analysis 2 10 English
The Double Face of the Moon. Scientific Papers: from Authoring to Reviewing 3 15 English
April 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Bedside Measures of the Human Movement: Clinical and Instrumental Measures of Force, Tonus and Dexterity 2 10 English
Biomedical Instrumentation in Clinical Research 2 10 English
Imaging Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Radiology 2 10 English
Pathophisiology and Evaluation of Cardiovascular and Endothelial Alterations in Liver Metabolic Disease 2 10 English
Spectroscopy and Imaging of Biosystems On the Nano-, Meso- and Macro-Scale 4 20 English
May 2024
Courses or activities Professor(s) ECTS Total hours Language
Optional
Basic Tools for Biomedical Research: Fundamentals Math, Stats and It (software programming) 3 16 English

Enrolment

Places available: 25

Call for applications

Please refer to the call for admission test dates and contents, and how to register.

Session: 1

Application for admission: from 06/04/2023 to 05/05/2023

Application for matriculation: from 06/06/2023 to 12/06/2023

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Qualifications assessment criteria

Scores and exam schedule

Session: 2

Application for admission: from 27/06/2023 to 26/07/2023

Application for matriculation: from 25/09/2023 to 04/10/2023

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Attachments and documents

Attachments to the call

Extension

Qualifications assessment criteria

Scores and exam schedule

Extension 2