International Master ‘From fundamental molecular biosciences to biotherapies’ (M1 and M2)
The field of biotherapy regroups the therapeutics based on the use of molecules designed from a living organism. Biotherapies comprise cell and tissue therapy, gene therapy and therapies using human molecules synthesized by eukaryotic cells or bacteria, as antibodies and bioactive proteins.
This domain has considerably evolved during the recent years thanks to the research progress in vectorology, stem cells, biomaterials, omics and computational biology, which have transformed the practices of research laboratories in fundamental biology and biotherapy and allowed numerous clinical trials to emerge. The societal and ethical impact of these new features is huge and the area of biotherapy will need experts in the next future. Future researchers in this field require a strong education in the molecular basis of the physiopathological processes to develop new biotherapy strategies.
Presentation
The aim of the 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.
Our programme, taught in English, consists of four semesters (120 ECTS) and offers students the opportunity, in addition to a high quality education in Molecular Biosciences delivered at Sorbonne Université (Paris), to choose a specialisation among the different fields of biotherapies in different partner universities.
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 biomedical fields in different partner universities for the second semester of the M1:
- Cancer Biology: Heidelberg University (Germany) and Sao Paulo University (Brazil)
- Immunology and Biotherapies: Prague Charles University (Czech republic), Sao Paulo University (Brazil)
- Stem cells, Development and Evolution: Lisbon University (Portugal), Heidelberg University (Germany)
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 and biotherapies project (30 ECTS): Sorbonne Université, Paris
M1S2: Mobility in one partner university depending on the chosen option among the different biomedical fields: theoretical courses (12 ECTS) and junior internship (18 ECTS).
M2: Specialization at Sorbonne Université, Paris. Theoretical courses and workshops (30 ECTS) and senior internship (30 ECTS), according to the initial choice of specialisation:
Cell Biology and Cancer M2
Developmental Biology M2
Stem Cell Biology M2
Immunology M2 (ITB, I2P or I2S)
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 website
and follow the prompt to answer the question “Can I apply using Études en France platform”. If you get the following message "I can find my training program by browsing through the Études en France platform's catalog", you must create a profile and apply on the Études en France platform. If you get any other message, you must apply on the eCandidat platform described below.
For more information on the Études en France application process, contact the Campus France local office in your country of residence. (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 Sorbonne Université platform, which will be available from March to June. You must submit your application before May. 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.
First semester Sorbonne Université (Paris) 30 ECTS
MU4BM001 Practical in molecular and cellular biology (9 ECTS starting sept. 2025)
MU4BM010 Fundamental molecular biosciences (15 ECTS)
Python course (3 ECTS) Code and description coming soon
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 signalling 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)
Basis of Immunotherapies (2 ECTS)
Fundamentals of Immunology (4 ECTS)
Cancer Cell Biology (6 ECTS)
Second semester at Sorbonne Université
Theoretical courses (12 ECTS, to be chosen among the following ones):
Molecular biology of eukaryotes (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.
Depending on the option you have selected at the M1 degree, you will access a specialization-teaching unit (12 ECTS) at the master 2 degree: Cell Biology, Developmental Biology, Stem Cell Biology or Immunology.
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
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
Mobility programmes
Our international master’s programme «From fundamental molecular biosciences to biotherapies» is here to offer our students an acute and complete professional training in the field, which is why we encourage our students to complete an internship abroad, in one of the following laboratories from our partner universities.
Laboratories in partner universities:
- Heidelberg university (Germany):
Center for Organismal Studies
German cancer research center EMBL
German cancer research center DKFZ
- Sao Paulo University (Brazil):
Instituto do Cancer do Estado de Sao Paulo
- Lisbon University (Portugal):
The Gulbenkian Institute for Molecular Medicine (GIMM) Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes
- Prague Charles University (Czech Republic) :
Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Institute of Molecular Genetics of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Admission criteria
The prerequisite for the admission in the master is to possess a Bachelor degree (licence) in Biological Sciences or an equivalent diploma with a basic background in Genetics, Immunology, Cell biology and Developmental biology. Students must also be proficient in English (minimum CEFR level B2).
Employment prospects
Graduates will emerge with critical understanding of basic and applied scientific knowledge and excellent professional and personal skills. The specializations allow students to obtain multiple high and original qualifications in complementary disciplines and to generate career opportunities in academic research, pharmaceutical industry, biomedical research with an emphasis on molecular aspects of biotherapies, as managers in the public and private sectors in the field of biotherapy research or staff members in research and development departments in biotherapy companies. This programme also prepares students to pursue a PhD, which will then open opportunities to be recruited as a research scientist, lecturer and engineer in the public sector or to equivalent positions in private companies.
France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship
The International Master’s programme «From fundamental molecular biosciences to biotherapies» is compatible with the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship program. For all inquiries about the scholarship, please contact directly Pr. Clément Carré.
Please note the application deadline for the France Excellence Eiffel Scholarship for this program is usually in November for the following academic year. The date communicated by Campus France applies to institutions only.
After applying for the Eiffel Scholarship, you must continue your registration via the Etudes en France platform or eCandidat website, whichever applies to your situation (see Application above).
More information available here.
Pedagogic team
Charles Durand
Director, Stem cells M2 coordinator
Véronique Mateo
Immunology Path and Immunology M2 Coordinator
Joelle Sobczak-Thépot
Cell Biology M2 Coordinator
Clemence Carron-Homo
Developmental Biology M2 Coordinator
Anthi Karaiskou
Co-director, Cancer Cell Biology Coordinator, Mobility Coordinator