M2 - Cell Biology, Development and Stem Cells course

Introduction

Contacts

Objectives

This subject aims to provide students with conceptual and methodological expertise in the field of developmental biology. The main focus of this field of research is embryo formation, but it also includes reproduction, regeneration and stem cells. Developmental biology is at the crossroads of several disciplines, including cell biology, genetics and molecular biology. Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of developmental processes can therefore be approached using these different approaches. Developmental biology also contributes to our understanding of carcinogenesis and genetic developmental diseases, and paves the way for studies into therapeutic approaches.

This subject trains young researchers to be capable of working in public or private research laboratories. It is supported by clearly identified host teams in universities and major research institutes, networks of European laboratories and several partner laboratories located abroad. The course is taught entirely in English.

Internships and mobility

A placement of up to six months in an academic research laboratory or, more rarely, in a company, enables students to perfect their practical and theoretical training while discovering their future professional environment. The primary goal is to prepare them for the pursuit of a doctorate, either in France or abroad.

Our Erasmus exchange partnerships with the European universities involved in the international Master’s programme associated with the course offer students the opportunity to study abroad (University of Lisbon, Portugal; University of Heidelberg, Germany; Pompeu Fabra University, Spain).

General organisation of teaching

The teaching is organised by a teaching team that monitors and assesses students. This team includes:

Obtaining 60 ECTS validates the M2 year and they are broken down as follows: Specialisation UE (12 ECTS), Scientific Analysis UE (6 ECTS), Scientific Project UE (6 ECTS), Opening UE (6 ECTS), Internship UE (30 ECTS).

Contacts

The biology of stem cells and their therapeutic applications is a rapidly expanding field in the life sciences. These cells have two cardinal properties that distinguish them from other cells in the body: they are capable of self-renewal or, on the contrary, of engaging in one or more different pathways. Identifying stem cells and understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in regulating them is a major challenge for biologists and clinicians interested in the problems of cell differentiation, cell reprogramming, homeostasis and tissue repair. Stem cell biology also introduces new perspectives on understanding tumour initiation processes and is the subject of intense research in regenerative medicine.

The aim of this theme is to provide advanced theoretical and practical training in the field of stem cell biology. The teaching will be based on lectures given by French and international specialists and a practical workshop where different types of stem cells (embryonic and adult) can be observed and manipulated. The aim is to provide students with the fundamental knowledge they need to understand the logic of stem cells and the clinical, ethical and legal issues involved.

Training

The 'Stem Cell Biology' subject is based on specialised teaching (30 ECTS), both theoretical and practical, and an internship lasting a maximum of six months in a host laboratory in France or abroad (30 ECTS). This subject is taught entirely in English.

Cohort

This subject is aimed at students of science, medicine and pharmaceuticals, as well as students at the Grandes Ecoles. Comprehensive knowledge of cell biology, development and molecular biology is required. For students enrolled in M1 in the "Molecular and Cellular Biology" Master's programme, validation of the "Introduction to Stem Cell Biology" UE is desirable.

Job opportunities

This subject is designed to train high-level specialists in the field of stem cell biology. It offers students the opportunity to move into academic or private research careers. The course also offers the opportunity to move into other professions such as scientific development or consultancy.

Scientific Committee

Contact 

General presentation of the subject

The "Molecular Bases of Oncogenesis" subject, which is common to the "Cell Biology, Developmental Biology & Stem Cell Biology" and "Genetics" pathways, enables students to acquire the concepts needed to understand the biological processes that control the cell cycle and maintain genome integrity, and how these processes are altered during tumour initiation or progression. Depending on the chosen specialisation course, these areas are studied at the level of the cell or the whole organism. By combining seminars and practical work, the specialisation courses – delivered in partnership with the Institut Pasteur and the Institut Curie – incorporate the most recent concepts and techniques in biology, such as (depending on the course chosen): 1) molecular combing to understand the mechanisms of genetic instability and chromatin immunoprecipitation to analyse the functional relationships between DNA lesions and chromatin remodelling; 2) the targeting of conditional mutations in the mouse genome to control the activation of oncogenes or the inactivation of tumour suppressors, or the reprogramming of fibroblasts into stem cells, whose properties are similar to those of cancer cells; 3) the in vitro reconstitution of cellular functions, and the visualisation of cellular constituents using the most recent methods of confocal microscopy and dynamic imaging, to study the functional organisation of the cell.

The subject includes two specialisation courses which, in their diversity, address all aspects of tumour biology and genetics:

• The aim of the Molecular Genetics and Epigenetics course (MU5BM824) is to develop the technical and conceptual aspects of genetics and epigenetics research, particularly in the context of oncogenesis. It aims to analyse the mechanisms regulating the expression and stability of eukaryotic cell genomes, as well as those controlling progression through the cell cycle.
• The Mouse Genetics course (MU5BM813) is designed for students wishing to undertake comprehensive training in the use of this animal as a model system for human pathologies, particularly cancer. It is also aimed at students interested in stem cell biology (ES cells, IPS, etc.) or developmental biology –  as such, it can be taken by students in the 'Stem cell biology' and 'Developmental biology' subjects of the 'Cell biology, developmental biology & stem cell biology' Cell Biology pathway.

Educational Organisation

Students will choose one of the two specialisation courses described above and delivered in partnership with the Institut Pasteur. These courses also include the project course and count for 18 ECTS.

They also take the scientific analysis unit (6 ECTS) of their course.

Students will have to complete their training by choosing 6 ECTS of introductory UE(s) from the training offered by Sorbonne University or other universities, the choice of which will be discussed with the teaching team. The introductory modules recommended for the BMO subject are the Institut Curie courses “Génome non-codant” (MU5BM429) (6 ECTS), “Epigénétique, chromatine et organisation du noyau” (MU5BM460) (6 ECTS)  and « Biologie cellulaire et cancer » (MU5BM222) (3 ECTS), and the Sorbonne Université courses “Microenvironnement immunitaire, apoptose et cancer” (MU5BM577) (3 ECTS) and « Prolifération et mort cellulaire » (MU5BM285) (3 ECTS).

Finally, before the end of September, students must find an internship in a research laboratory (30 ECTS). The choice of laboratory and placement topic is made in consultation with the teaching staff. The list of host teams and internship proposals can be reviewed on the BMC Master's website (restricted access, please contact us) and with the pedagocical secretary, Carine Joseph. Students may do their placement in a laboratory not included on this list, subject to the agreement of the teaching team. The placement lasts for the whole academic year, with the exception of periods occupied by the UEs described above. It is assessed through a written report and a viva at the end of June, to enable students who wish to pursue a doctorate to prepare their applications at the beginning of July.

Contacts

Introduction

Are you passionate about marine organisms? Do you want to learn how to better understand their particularities and study them to answer a wide range of biological questions (cellular, molecular, developmental, evolutionary, physiological, etc.)? This theme offers you the opportunity to acquire these skills from both a fundamental and an applied research perspective, drawing on Sorbonne Université's 3 marine stations: Roscoff, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Banyuls-sur-Mer.
We propose to train young researchers in life sciences who have acquired a solid theoretical and experimental grounding in marine biology to understand the concepts and mechanisms governing the functioning of marine organisms at different scales (from molecule or cell to organism). It also enables students to acquire study and analysis methods specific to marine organisms and their particular characteristics. Finally, as this is a highly cross-disciplinary field of biology, the theme tackles the biology of marine organisms using approaches integrating omics, developmental biology, evolutionary biology and cellular and molecular biology techniques.

In the marine environment, if you're more interested in oceanography, ecology and environmental sciences, you can follow the "Functioning of Marine Ecosystems and Global Change" and "Biodiversity and Conservation of Marine Ecosystems" courses in the Marine Sciences master's program.

Training

The "Marine Biology: from molecule to organism" theme is based on specialized theoretical and practical teaching (30 ECTS), as well as a long internship (30 ECTS) in laboratories associated with the specialization, located in France or abroad. This theme relies heavily on Sorbonne Université's 3 marine stations, giving students the opportunity to be as close as possible to current research in marine biology.
The 30 ECTS of teaching corresponding to the first semester of M2 enable students to master concepts and methods. This period includes five teaching units. During the semester, the Master's program covers all travel and accommodation expenses, while students are responsible for their own meals.

Specialization UE (12 ECTS)

Students will take the following two UEs: 1: "Metazoans and evolutionary biology" (MU5BM201, 6 ECTS - Banyuls-sur-Mer) Lectures reinforced by practical work will enable students to study the biology and biodiversity of metazoans. During this course, students will tackle questions of evo-devo, molecular phylogeny and concepts linked to the notion of homology. An important part will be devoted to practical aspects and interaction with station researchers. Students will also learn about culture/stabulation methods for marine animal organisms and the associated regulatory aspects. 2: "Biology and Biotechnology of Macroalgae" (MU5BM202, 6 ECTS- Roscoff) The aim of this course is to impart theoretical and practical skills and knowledge concerning the biology, evolution, bioresources and biotechnology of algae, mainly macroalgae. This course draws heavily on the research carried out at the Roscoff Biological Station, and will also enable students to tackle more applied aspects, such as the biogenesis and commercialization of commercially interesting natural products synthesized by algae. The potential of natural compounds for new applications in agriculture, food, fodder, cosmetics, health and as biofuels will be presented.

Scientific analysis (6 ECTS)

Scientific analysis (MU5BM051, 6 ECTS, Roscoff) Following seminars on the various omics techniques applied to marine organisms, students will orally present a major recent article in this field. The aim is to acquire methods for presenting scientific data, from analysis of experimental data to critical interpretation, in relation to the scientific context.

EU scientific project (6 ECTS)

Scientific project (MU5BM091, 6 ECTS) The student will present a fictitious thesis project in the form of a written report (around ten pages) and will defend it orally. The project must focus on a marine organism, and may be inspired by the theme of the laboratory where the student is doing his or her Master 2 internship.

Opening UE (6 ECTS)

This UE is chosen by the student in consultation with the teaching staff from the list of UEs offered by the "Molecular and Cellular Biology" master's training department or by any other Sorbonne University master's program. The preferred courses in the Marine Biology theme are as follows: - Developmental biology of marine organisms (MU5BM200 -Villefranche-sur-Mer) - Lights and biological rhythms (MU5BIM07 - Banyuls-sur-Mer) - Biotests and Bioresources in the Marine Environment (MU5BEB45 - Banyuls-sur-Mer)

Internship (30 ECTS)

Internship (30 ECTS) The internship is carried out in a host team under the supervision of an internship supervisor and in consultation with the teaching team. The list of host teams and internship proposals can be consulted on the Moodle platform, which is accessible only to students enrolled in the BMC major, and is grouped by course (restricted access, please consult us). Students may choose to do their internship in a laboratory not included in this list, subject to the agreement of the teaching staff. The internship, of a maximum duration of six months (6 months at a rate of 22 days per month and 7 hours per day, i.e. 132 days or 924 hours of internship; consecutive or not), is spread over the entire academic year, with the exception of the periods occupied by the UEs described above.

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Public

The course is open to university and Grandes Ecoles students who have completed an M1 in biology, as well as to students with a solid initial training in a related discipline (engineering sciences, physics, chemistry, etc.) and a strong motivation for life sciences. This specialization is also open to students of medicine, pharmacy and veterinary science. Foreign students are also welcome.

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Job opportunities

This Master's 2 course is designed to prepare students for a career as a researcher in public and private research, but also opens the door to a wide range of careers in pharmacy, biotechnology, scientific development, financing and consulting.

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Scientific Committee

A pedagogical team is in charge of organizing the courses and monitoring and assessing student progress. This team includes :

• Karen Pottin (SU, IBPS)
• Stéphanie Bertrand, Laurence Besseau, Sophie Sanchez-Brosseau (SU, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls-sur-Mer)
• Agnès Boutet, Jonas Collen, Patrick Cormier, Arnaud Tanguy (SU, Station biologique de Roscoff)
• Carine Barreau et Elisabeth Christians (SU, Institut de la Mer de Villefranche)
• Eric Quéinnec (SU, ISYEB)

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Pedagogical Committee

• Karen Pottin (SU)
• Stéphanie Bertrand (SU)
• Agnès Boutet (SU)
• Carine Barreau (SU)

Contacts