
M2 - Immunology track
The Immunology track of the Molecular and Cellular Biology mention has four proposed themes, providing students from scientific and medical backgrounds with a theoretical and practical training tailored to the chosen theme. This training focuses on the fundamental basis of the immune response, therapeutic strategies targeting the immune system, and system biology applied to the understanding of the immune system in physiological or pathological conditions.
Furthermore, the teaching involves researchers, medical doctors, and industry leaders involved in research and development, thus offering a comprehensive perspective of the discipline and allowing for the exploration of recent findings, both fundamental and applied.
Keywords: Biology, Immunology, Immunopathology, Biotechnology, Biotherapies, Systems Immunology, Translational Research.
Organisation
The master 2 Immunology program proposes four themes :
- Immunology Immunopathology (I2P)
- Integrative and Systemic Immunology (I2S)
- Immunology, Genetics and Oncology (IGO)
- Translational Immunology and Biotherapies (ITB)
All the teachings and assessments are conducted in English and are included in the Sorbonne Université International Master Program.
The program includes a 6 month internship that can be done in academic research laboratories (belonging to universities, research institutes, hospitals) or in companies, in France and abroad.
Professional training towards industry-related careers can be achieved through the validation of Open Elective Units (UE) with a focus on the enterprise, as well as through completion of tasks related to the private sector within the framework of the Scientific Analysis and Project Elective Units (UE).

Objectives and contents
The immunology and genetics courses are combined in a new theme entitled IGO standing for "Immunology, Genetics and Oncology", which leads to a double specialisation in genetics and immunology. The objective of this theme is to acquire a solid training in integrative cancer research by tackling aspects of cancer genetics, translational and systemic immunology, as well as gene and cell therapy. The pedagogical contract for students following this theme will include both courses associated with the immunology programme and courses from the genetics programme. Candidates for this theme can apply, according to their profile, either within the framework of the genetics course or the immunology course.
Publics and pre-requisite
As the number of students in this field is very limited, candidates must be highly motivated to acquire this double specialisation and to carry out research in the field of cancerology, and must have completed the genetics and immunology courses in M1. In addition, a good understanding of English is required as most of the teaching will be in English.
Keywords
Immunology, Oncology, Murine model
Organisation
The educational pathway organisation of each student depends on the program she/he is enrolled in, although the content is the same:
Genetic program
Immunology program
Credits
Specialization
Pasteur Mouse Genetics course (MU5BM813)
"Molecular, cellular and gene immunotherapy"(MU5BM564), "Data Analysis in Immunology” (MU5BM578), "Lecture in Systems Immunology" (MU5BM560) & "Anti-tumour immunology" (MU5BM558)
12 ECTS
Project course (MU5BM091)
Mouse Genetics course
Mouse Genetics course
6 ECTS
Scientific Analysis (MU5BM051)
"Molecular, cellular and gene immunotherapy"(MU5BM564) & "Data Analysis in Immunology” (MU5BM578)
Pasteur Mouse Genetics course (MU5BM813)
6 ECTS
Opening course
"Lecture in Systems Immunology" (MU5BM560) & "Anti-tumour immunology" (MU5BM558)
Pasteur Mouse Genetics course (MU5BM813)
6 ECTS
internship
research project in immuno-oncology and genetics
research project in immuno-oncology and genetics
30 ECTS
Contacts
Head of teaching:
Pr Franck Toledo (Genetics)
Dr Sophie Siberil (Immunology)
Pedagogical assistant:
Carine Joseph (Genetics)
Nzuzi Matabisi (Immunology)
The I2P theme offers students from scientific and medical fields training in fundamental and applied immunology as well as in immunopathology. This training covers the physiology of the immune response in various situations: physiology, infectious immunity, immunology of tumours and transplants, local immunity, pathologies of the immune system (autoimmunity, immune deficiencies, allergies).
The I2P theme is organised in partnership with the University of Paris-Descartes, the University of Paris-Diderot and the Institut Pasteur.
The course is given in French and English.
PUBLIC
Scientific students enrolled in the Master's programme, doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians, engineers with the necessary prerequisites for a total of 15 to 20 students.
This course is also open to continuing education.
ORGANISATION
The programme includes the following courses:
Course
Credits
I2P specialisation
12 ECTS
Scientific Analysis
6 ECTS
Scientific Project
6 ECTS
Opening
6 ECTS
6-month laboratory internship
30 ECTS
I2P Specialisation UE (MU5BM531, 12 ECTS) |
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Scientific analysis course (MU5BM051, 6 ECTS) | |||
This course can be considered as a training in scientific watch and bibliographical analysis. The students must carry out a bibliographical analysis in groups, in connection with one of the blocks of teaching followed. The students work on the formatting and oral presentation of a scientific synthesis based on a set of reference publications. |
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Scientific project course (MU5BM091, 6 ECTS) |
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At the beginning of the training, during two weeks, the theme starts with a series of conferences "Dialogues in immunology" and a group work on the development of a scientific project (Masteriales). These two activities constitute the scientific project course of the theme. |
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Opening course (of your choice, 6 ECTS) | |||
Within the framework of the general curriculum of the "Molecular and Cellular Biology" Master's degree, students have the possibility of freely choosing one or more optional opening courses for a total credit of 6 ECTS. This choice must allow the completion of the Master's training in order to deepen the knowledge within the course or to open up to related or complementary concepts. | |||
Internship (5BMSO7, 30 ECTS) | |||
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Contacts
Head of teaching:
Pierre-Emmanuel Joubert
Secrétariat pédagogique
Nzuzi Matabisi
Presentation
The I2S theme aims to prepare students from scientific and medical disciplines for academic and industrial research careers in integrative immunology, at the interface between experimentation and modelling.
High-throughput technologies, such as massive sequencing (genome, exome, transcriptome, adaptive immune receptor repertoire or microbiome) as well as multi-parametric cytometry (flow or mass) or mass spectrometry (proteome and metabolome), are increasingly used in biology. Applied to immunology, these tools allow a better understanding of the complexity of the immune response and its failures in a pathological context and open up new avenues for the identification of biomarkers (diagnostic or prognostic) or new therapeutic targets.
This course will provide an understanding of the challenges and problems of these new technological approaches, as well as an in-depth knowledge of analytical tools and their interest for fundamental or translational research. The training may also have a "professionalizing" objective aimed at preparing future graduates for integration in industry. This option will be based on courses linked to the world of business and entrepreneurship as well as a 6-month internship in a company.
The training can be provided in French or English depending on the attendees.
Public
- Scientific students enrolled in the Master's programme, medical doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians, engineers with the necessary prerequisites for a total of 20 students.
- This course is also open to continuing education.
Organisation
The programme includes the following courses:
Course
credits
I2S specialisation
12 ECTS
Scientific Analysis
6 ECTS
Scientific Project
6 ECTS
Opening
6 ECTS
6-month laboratory internship
30 ECTS
I2S specialisation course (MU5BM535, 12 ECTS) | |||
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Scientific analysis course (MU5BM051, 6 ECTS) | |||
This course aims at developing scientific analysis skills in the field of integrative immunology research. The students will have to demonstrate their capacity to analyse, synthesize and criticize rigorously scientific documents in connection with the topic (article, research project, patents, ...). |
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Scientific project course (MU5BM091, 6 ECTS) |
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This course aims to train students in the design and implementation of an original scientific research project based on the analysis of public data and supported by an in-depth bibliographic analysis. This activity, carried out in pairs or triples, will be initiated at the beginning of the academic year. |
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Opening course (choice of 6 ECTS) | |||
Within the framework of the general curriculum of the "Molecular and Cellular Biology" Master's degree, students have the possibility of freely choosing one or several opening courses for a total credit of 6 ECTS. This choice must allow students to complete their Master's training in order to deepen their knowledge within the course or to open up to related or complementary themes/skills. Depending on the opening UE chosen, students will be able to acquire training that will enable them to pursue a doctoral course or immediate professional integration. |
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Internship (5BMSO7, 30 ECTS) | |||
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Contacts
Head of teaching:
Dr. Encarnita Mariotti-Ferrandiz
Pedagogical assistant:
Nzuzi Matabisi
The ITB theme offers scientific and medical students with theoretical and practical training in applied immunology, focusing on biotherapies and more specifically immunotherapies and new vaccine strategies. This training will enable students to understand the challenges and problems of these new therapeutic approaches, as well as an in-depth knowledge of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools (monoclonal antibodies and derived products, vaccines, gene therapy, cell therapy and biotherapies).
The training may also have a "professionalizing" objective aimed at preparing future graduates for professional integration. This option will be based on courses linked to the world of business and entrepreneurship as well as a 6-month internship in a company.
The training is given in English.
Public
- Scientific students enrolled in the Master's programme, doctors, pharmacists, veterinarians, engineers with the necessary prerequisites for a total of 25 students.
- This course is also open to continuing education.
Organisation
The programme includes the following courses:
Course
Credits
I2S specialisation
12 ECTS
Scientific Analysis
6 ECTS
Scientific Project
6 ECTS
Opening
6 ECTS
6-month laboratory internship
30 ECTS
ITB specialisation course (MU5BM534, 12 ECTS) |
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An in-depth presentation of currently developed innovative therapies, particularly in relation to the use of monoclonal antibodies, gene therapies, cell therapies and vaccine innovations will be offered in the form of lectures given by invited academic and industrial experts/researchers. |
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Scientific analysis course (MU5BM051, 6 ECTS) | |||
This course aims to develop the skills of scientific analysis in the field of research and development. The students will work on their capacity of analysis and the aptitude to summarize, to criticize scientific documents (articles, research projects, development projects...). |
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Scientific project course (MU5BM091, 6 ECTS) | |||
The aim of this course is to develop the ability to draw up a project - scientific or otherwise - in the field of research, development, management, communication, etc. During this course, students will have to master the drawing up of a document on which they or others can base their decision on the feasibility of the project described. |
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Opening course (choice of 6 ECTS) | |||
Within the framework of the general curriculum of the "Molecular and Cellular Biology" Master's degree, students have the possibility of freely choosing one or more opening courses for a total credit of 6 ECTS. This choice must allow students to complete their Master's training in order to deepen their knowledge within the course or to open up to related or complementary themes. Depending on the opening courses chosen, students will be able to acquire training that will enable them to pursue a doctoral course or immediate professional integration. |
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Internship (5BMSO7, 30 ECTS) | |||
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Contacts
Head of training:
Pedagogical assistant:
During the first year of the Master's Program in Molecular and Cellular Biology, a fundamental course unit entitled " Immune system / Microbiology / Environment interfaces " (MU4BM003, 6 ECTS) is offered in the first semester (S1), followed by two immunology course units of 6 ECTS each in the second semester (S2): "Fundamental and Integrative Immunology" (MU4BM123) and "Immunophysiopathology and Immunotherapy" (MU4BM124).
During the second year, specialized training is provided in Immunology & Immunopathology, Translational Immunology & Biotherapy, and Integrative & Systemic Immunology (specialization course units, each 12 ECTS).
Each specialization course unit is supplemented by the BMC transversal course units of M2 (Scientific Analysis (6 ECTS), Project (6 ECTS), and a 6 month internship (30 ECTS). In addition, student will have to chose one or two elective courses (totally accounting for 6 ECTS) among the various course units offered as part of the first and second years of the Master BMC program, or from other universities. The elective courses can be theoretical lectures or technological workshops, immunology-related or not, yet coherent with the Immunology program.
Les enseignements présentiels ont lieu sous forme de cours magistraux, d’ateliers pratiques et de travaux dirigés, en langue française ou anglaise, selon les intervenantes, les intervenants et les activités. La validation des acquis est établie sur la base d’examens écrits, présentations orales et/ou rédaction de rapports (également en français ou en anglais).

PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
All the themes of the course lead to fundamental or applied research, in either public or private sectors, in the scientific, medical, pharmaceutical or veterinary fields, in order to prepare a thesis or in the context of direct professional integration after obtaining the Master's degree. The fields concerned range from basic immunology to medical immunology, including immunity to infectious diseases, autoimmunity, transplantation, allergy, and oncology, vaccines and immunotherapy and systems immunology.
TARGET AUDIENCE & ADMISSION
The course is open to students from the scientific and medical streams of Sorbonne University and other universities, depending on their course of study. Students from engineering schools can be integrated directly into M2 according to their curriculum.
Applications should be sent to the secretariat of the field between mid-April and June through the dedicated platform. For more information, see the dedicated page.
CONTINUING EDUCATION
In the context of a return to study and/or validation of acquired experience, employees, job seekers, etc. with professional experience, who have interrupted their initial studies for more than two years, must contact the « Formation Continue » department of Sorbonne Université directly.
COMPETENCIES
COMPETENCIES DISCIPLINARY COMPETENCIES:
- to have a thorough knowledge of biology in general and specialised knowledge in certain disciplinary fields;
- to master the basic techniques and equipment used in molecular biology, biochemistry and cell biology;
- to know how to apply them in the different fields of biology;
- to know how to implement an experimental approach
CROSS-CUTTING COMPETENCIES:
- know how to manage bibliographic resources (databases, online scientific journals) and master the scientific literature related to the biological field concerned; have the ability to synthesise;
- know how to make a critical analysis of scientific results;
- know how to use their knowledge and show creativity in order to identify and solve a scientific problem;
- the ability to learn and adapt;
- the ability to organise individual as well collaborative work;
- the ability to communicate results (oral or poster presentation, written report) and to defend a project in front of opponents;
- the ability to assess the quality and relevance of a scientific work or approach; the ability to speak scientific English (certified level B2).
Contacts
Head of teaching
Dr. Sophie Siberil
Pedagogical assistant
Nzuzi MATABISI
Manager of internship agreements for the Immunology course
Elodie Kovacic