International Master ‘From fundamental molecular biosciences to biotherapies’ (M1 and M2)
The aim of the international Master's programme "From fundamental molecular biosciences to biotherapies" is to offer an integrated high-level training in fundamental molecular biosciences applied to biotherapies through a multidisciplinary approach in line with the trends and evolution of this discipline.
Presentation
The field of biotherapy relies on the use of molecules designed from a living organism to treat diseases. Biotherapies comprise cell and tissue therapy, gene therapy and therapies using biological molecules synthesized by eucaryotic cells or bacteria, as antibodies, bioactive proteins, biomaterials and nanoparticles. This domain has considerably evolved during the recent years thanks to the research progress in vectorology, stem cells and regenerative medicine, biomaterials, omics and computational biology, which have transformed the practices of research laboratories in fundamental biology and biotherapy. Numerous developments in this field have reached the stage of clinical trials thus raising scientific, societal and ethical issues that need to be addressed by experts in the area of biotherapy. Future researchers in this field require a strong education in the molecular basis of the physio-pathological processes to develop new biotherapeutic strategies. The aim of our international master ‘From fundamental molecular biosciences to biotherapies’ is to offer an integrated state-of-the-art training in fundamental molecular biosciences applied to biotherapies through a multidisciplinary approach that conforms to the trends and development within the field.
Objectives
The program offers students the opportunity, in addition to a high quality education in Molecular Biosciences delivered at Sorbonne Université (Paris), to choose a specialisation option among the different fields of biotherapies in different partners universities:
- Cancer biology: Heidelberg university (Germany)
- Immunology and biotherapies: Prague Charles University (Czech republic), Sao Paulo University (Brasil)
- Stem cells, Development and Evolution: Lisbon University (Portugal), Heidelberg University (Germany)
- Bioinformatics for health sciences: Heidelberg University (Germany) and Barcelona Pompeu Fabra University (Spain).
- Fundamental molecular biosciences in biotherapies: Sorbonne Université (Paris).
The program’s objective is to attract motivated students to a fully integrated Master course that combines the best elements of existing courses delivered by the consortium members.
Organization
M1S1: Fundamental molecular biosciences (30 ECTS): Sorbonne Université, Paris
M1S2: Mobility in one partner university depending on the chosen option among the different fields of biotherapies: theoretical courses (12 ECTS) and junior internship (18 ECTS).
M2: Specialization in the different fields of biotherapies: theoretical courses and workshops (30 ECTS) and senior internship (30 ECTS): Sorbonne Université, Paris.
The courses taught in English at the Master 1 degree. Click on this link to open the document: HERE
Targeted audience
The program is opened to students with a Bachelor’s degree in Life sciences or an equivalent diploma and to medical and pharmacy students, students in veterinary medicine and those from engineering schools.
Prerequisite
The minimum graduate admission requirements are a bachelor's degree in Biological Sciences or recognized equivalent from an accredited institution, with a basic background in Genetics, Immunology, Cell and Developmental biology. For the ‘Bioinformatics for Health sciences’ option, a robust academic training in Mathematics, Bioinformatics and/or Computational Biology is required. Students must also possess a certification of proficiency in English (e.g, TOEFL or equivalent, minimum CEFR level B2).
Career opportunities
Training managers in the public and private sectors in the field of biotherapy research or staff members in research and development departments in biotherapy companies. Preparing a PhD which will make it possible to be recruited as a research scientist, lecturer and engineer in the public sector or to equivalent positions in private companies.
- Heidelberg University, Germany (Alliance 4EU+) (Andrea Wolk, Ilse Hofmann, Ursula Kummer, Victor Winter)
- Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (Alliance 4EU+) (Jan Cerny and Magdalena Krulova)
- Lisbon University, Portugal (Gabriela Rodrigues and Elio Sucena)
- Pompeu Fabra University, Barcelona, Spain (Cristina Pujades and Nuria Centeno)
- Sao Paulo University (Brasil) (Roger Chammas)
There are two ways to submit your application, depending on your profile.
- If you reside in one of these following countries:
A: Algeria, Argentina, Azerbaijan
B: Bahrain, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Burundi
C: Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chad, Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Côte d’Ivoire
D: Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Dominican Republic
E: Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia
G: Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea
H: Haiti
I: India, Indonesia, Iran, Israel
J: Japan, Jordan
K: Kenya, Kuwait
L: Lebanon
M: Madagascar, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco
N: Nepal, Niger, Nigeria
P: Pakistan, Peru
Q: Qatar
R: Russia
S: Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea
T: Taiwan, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey
U: Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States
V: Vietnam.
You must follow the “Etudes en France” procedure.
Create your private electronic file and follow the instructions. If necessary, contact the Campus France local office in your country of residence for more information. (Map of Campus France local offices: https://www.campusfrance.org/en/espaces)
- If you are from France or any other countries than the ones listed above:
You have to apply through the eCandidat platform (link to come), that will be available from March 28th to June 13th. You must submit your application before May 15th, 2024. After this date, the application committee will review submitted applications and the program may already be full.
You will need to upload supporting documents:
1. A cover letter mentioning your choice of specialization option for the second semester:
- Stem cell, Development and Evolution
- Immunology and biotherapies
- Cancer Biology
- Fundamental molecular biosciences in biotherapies
2. A one page Curriculum Vitae
3. An English language certificate (TOEIC, TOEFL, Cambridge, or certificate of English as medium of instruction)
4. Transcripts and diplomas of higher education
5. Two letters of recommendation
- Important information:
- Once you have applied via one of these two platforms, please fill in this form to complete your information. Especially, you will need to indicate your choice of option for the second semester, and your application for a student residence.
- The bioinformatics option will not be available for the 2024-2025 academic year
First semester Sorbonne Université (Paris) 30 ECTS
Practical in molecular and cellular biology (12 ECTS) MU4BM001
Fundamental molecular biosciences (15 ECTS) MU4BM010
Language course (3 ECTS)
Second semester in one partner university
Theoretical courses (12 ECTS) and a junior internship (18 ECTS) in a laboratory on a topic related to
the chosen option.
Theoretical courses
- Heidelberg University, Germany (Alliance 4EU+)
Major Cancer Biology (12 ECTS)
-“Frontiers in Biosciences” module (mid January – first week of March)
- Module 1: Molecular Mechanisms of Cancer Lecture Series and Tutorials on "Molecular Principles of
Cancer Development“ period: mid-April until end of May
written exam: beginning of June; multiple-choice questions; grades available directly afterwards
- Module 2: Tumor Immunology and Virology Lecture Series and Tutorials on "Tumor Immunology,
Virology and Cancer" period: mid-June until end of July written
exam: beginning of August; multiple-choice questions; grades available directly afterwards
Major Developmental and Stem Cell Biology (DSCB) – 12 ECTS
Focus 1 module:
- Lecture „Genetics and Epigenetics Mechanisms“ April/May, Exam in June
- Seminar „Peer Review in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology“ May/June
- 3 weeks lab class (March/April : 1 week: Biological data science for high-throughput omics data ; 2
weeks: Single-Cell Techniques)
Focus 2 module:
- Lecture „Stem Cell Biology“, June/July, Exam end of July
- Seminar „Grant Writing: Essential Topics in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology“ July
- Individual Lab Rotation at least 6 weeks in the group of a DSCB lecturer
- Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic (Alliance 4EU+)
12 ECTS to choose among the following courses:
Advances in Immunology: 3 ECTS
Animal models in Immunology: 3 ECTS
Clinical cases in immunology: 3 ECTS
Functional Immunology: 4 ECTS
Proteins of signaling cascades: 3 ECTS
- Lisbon University, Portugal (Gabriela Rodrigues and Elio Sucena)
12 ECTS to choose among the following courses:
Genes and molecules in Development: 6 ECTS
Stem cell biology and technology: 6 ECTS
Evolution and development: 6 ECTS
Developmental and Comparative neurobiology: 3 ECTS
Evolution and Development of the immune system: 3 ECTS
- Sao Paulo University (Brasil)
12 ECTS Immunology
Foundations of Immunology, cancer immunology and immunotherapy: 6 ECTS
International school of Immunotherapy Immunology paradigms across diseases:6 ECTS
- Second semester at Sorbonne Université
Theoretical courses (12 ECTS, to be chosen among the following ones):
Molecular biology of eucaryotes (6 ECTS) MU4BM112
Schmid training course (6 ECTS) MU4BM113
Fundamental and integrated immunology (6 ECTS) MU4BM123
Embryonic models for genetic disease and cancer (6 ECTS) MU4BM148
Introduction to stem cell biology (6 ECTS) MU4BM169
Theoretical and practical introduction to epigenetics (6 ECTS) MU4BM142
Junior internship (18 ECTS) in a laboratory on a topic related to the chosen option. Evaluation: written report and oral presentation.
First semester (30 ECTS) Sorbonne Université
Introductory course: Transverse and translational approaches in biotherapies (6 ECTS) MU5BM566
Specialization course: (depending on your options) (12 ECTS):
Molecular biology of the cell (Institut Pasteur) MU5BM212
Advanced course in cell biology (Sorbonne Université) MU5BM215
International developmental biology course: from stem cells to morphogenesis (Institut Curie/Sorbonne Université) MU5BM211
Stem cell biology (Sorbonne Université) MU5BM216
Translational immunology and biotherapies (Sorbonne Université) MU5BM534
Systems immunology (Sorbonne Université) MU5BM537
Scientific project (6 ECTS)
Optional course (6 ECTS to choose among the following ones):
Seminars in developmental biology (6 ECTS) (Institut Curie/Sorbonne Université) MU5BM220
Seminars in stem cell biology (6 ECTS) (Sorbonne Université) MU5BM217
Development of marine organisms (6 ECTS) (Marine station of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Sorbonne Université) MU5BM200
Regulation of gene expression: translation and cell cycle (6 ECTS) (Marine station of Roscoff, Sorbonne Université) MU5BM232
Proliferation and cell death (6 ECTS) (Sorbonne Université) MU5BM285
Advanced course in cell dynamics (3 ECTS) (Institut Curie) MU5BM286
Cell biology and cancer (3 ECTS) (Institut Curie) MU5BM222
Seminars in allergy and hypersensitity (6 ECTS) (Sorbonne Université)
Data analysis in immunology (6 ECTS) (Sorbonne Université) MU5BM578
Immuno-monitoring (6 ECTS) (Sorbonne Université) MU5BM575
Non-coding genome (6 ECTS) (Institut Curie) MU5BM429
Epigenetics, From nuclear organization to metabolism and cell fate in normal state and diseases (6 ECTS) (Institut Curie) MU5BM460
Second semester (30 ECTS)
Laboratory internship
Click on this link to open the document:
Teaching language
English