Medical, omics and oncological sciences

Unife

• Luigi Abelli
• Elena Adinolfi
• Gianluca Aguiari
• Maria Rosaria Ambrosio
• Gabriele Anania
• Massimo Bonora
• Alessandro Borghi
• Alessandra Bortoluzzi
• Paolo Carcoforo
• Vincenzo Coscia
• Laila Craighero
• Antonio Cuneo
• Fabio Fabbian
• Raffaele Falsaperla
• Roberto Farina
• Roberta Gafa'
• Carlotta Giorgi
• Anna Lisa Giuliani
• Marcello Govoni
• Pantaleo Greco
• Alberto Jori
• Giovanni Lanza
• Fernanda Martini
• Elisa Mazzoni
• Massimo Negrini
• Margherita Neri
• Simone Patergnani
• Maria Letizia Penolazzi
• Maria Roberta Piva
• Gian Matteo Rigolin
• Alessandro Rimessi
• Rita Selvatici
• Caterina Trevisan
• Leonardo Trombelli
• Stefano Volpato
• Maria Chiara Zatelli
• Barbara Zavan

Other university

• Stefano Sivolella
• Livio Pietro Tronconi
• George Calin
• Michelangelo Campanella
• Lorenzo Galluzzi
• Jesus Maria Hernandez Rivas
• Ruth Murrel-Lagnado
• Flavia Novelli
• Pablo Pelegrin
• Olaf Riess

Other institutions

• Tommaso Ianniti

The PhD in Medical, Omic, and Oncologic Sciences, established in 2022 for the 38th cycle, aims to train highly qualified scientists in the field of life sciences, biotechnology, biomedicine, and clinical sciences. The primary objective of the program is to train research doctors capable of developing translational research projects, aimed at transferring experimental discoveries to clinical practice.

The curriculum focuses on Molecular Medicine and Physiopathology, crucial disciplines for the development of new therapeutic and preventive strategies, especially in oncology. Students will learn advanced biochemical and molecular investigation techniques, with a strong focus on applied research and critical evaluation, promoting independent thinking and personal responsibility. This approach will allow them to acquire advanced technical skills, fundamental for the research and development of innovative solutions for the treatment and prevention of diseases.

Practical training will take place in internationally recognized laboratories focused on biomedicine, biotechnology, and oncology, with a multidisciplinary approach that combines basic and applied research. The Faculty Board includes experts in hematology, oncology, cardiology, rheumatology, pharmacology, genetics, biotechnology, molecular and cellular biology, immunology, dentistry, and cognitive neuroscience. The program aims to develop specific skills in experimental, clinical, and translational research, aiming to train researchers capable of: i) identifying molecular mechanisms of degenerative, genetic, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases; ii) discovering new molecular therapeutic targets; iii) designing molecular probes for the study of cellular biochemical parameters; iv) promoting the transfer of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies from the laboratory to the patient. The training path is based on careful tutoring, which guarantees the transfer of theoretical knowledge and practical skills to develop autonomous research projects.

Furthermore, the research projects of doctoral students are monitored by two evaluation committees, one internal and one international, which encourage collaboration and comparison between the department and external researchers. During the program, doctoral students must keep up-to-date with the scientific literature and present their results in research seminars and international conferences, promoting exchange with the global scientific community.

At the end of the course, doctoral students must be able to design and carry out independent research, master advanced laboratory techniques, and have an in-depth knowledge of the scientific literature. In addition, they will acquire skills for conducting studies on animal models and for initiating clinical trials.

The PhD is a high-level academic and medical qualification, with ample employment opportunities in universities, public and private research centers, healthcare facilities, scientific research institutes, and pharmaceutical industries. Research doctors will be prepared to assume leadership roles in conducting research groups, developing innovative diagnostic and therapeutic protocols. Collaboration with scientific institutions, organizations, and companies will also promote the integration between the public and private sectors, creating employment opportunities in line with the training received.

The PhD program in Medical, Omic, and Oncologic Sciences aims to develop multidisciplinary skills that allow addressing the challenges of translational research, that is, the one that connects laboratory research with clinical practice, with a particular focus on molecular medicine, physiopathology, and oncology. The program is aimed at those who wish to acquire advanced skills in the scientific field, with an eye to therapeutic and diagnostic innovation for the treatment and prevention of diseases. The training path develops through research on various key themes, which include:

• Gene Structure and Expression: Students will explore the molecular mechanisms that regulate gene transcription and translation, with particular attention to the modulation of gene expression in response to physiological and environmental stimuli. This understanding is essential for the development of targeted therapies, especially for neoplastic and degenerative diseases.
• Biomolecular Structure and Enzymatic Catalysis: The program offers an in-depth study of the principles of advanced biochemistry, focusing on the structure of biomolecules and enzymatic catalysis, fundamental for the design of innovative drugs that target specific molecular targets.
• Cellular Metabolism and Energy Mechanisms: Research on cellular metabolic and energy mechanisms is crucial for understanding metabolic alterations in oncological pathologies and for developing innovative metabolic therapies.
• Molecular Basis of Diseases: The program explores the molecular mechanisms underlying complex diseases such as neoplastic and degenerative diseases, preparing students to study the cellular and molecular alterations that lead to carcinogenesis and develop therapeutic interventions.
• Protein Engineering: Students will learn to design and modify proteins with specific functions, a fundamental field for the creation of biological drugs and monoclonal antibodies.
• Pharmacogenetics and Modulation of Gene Expression: Pharmacogenetics studies how genetic variability influences the response to drugs, favoring the development of safer and more effective therapies. Innovative techniques such as CRISPR for modulating gene expression are explored for applications in personalized medicine.
• Molecular Virology: Doctoral students will deepen molecular virology to study viruses and develop antiviral therapies and vaccines, thus responding to future health emergencies.
• Cellular and Animal Models for Human Diseases: The development and use of cellular and animal models for the study of human diseases are essential for testing new therapies, especially for oncological, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases.
• Biomedical and Diagnostic Biotechnologies: Doctoral students will acquire skills in the use of biotechnologies to develop advanced diagnostic and therapeutic solutions, with applications also in the agri-food sector and in plant biotechnology.
• Chronic Inflammatory and Autoimmune Diseases: Another focus is on chronic inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Students will explore the immunological mechanisms underlying these pathologies to develop innovative therapies for rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and other autoimmune diseases.
• Neurobiology and Cellular Biophysics: The program provides in-depth training in neurobiology, physiology, and cellular biophysics, studying the molecular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, as well as endocrine and respiratory pathologies.
• Physiology of Tissue Repair and Regenerative Medicine: The program includes the study of the sciences of tissue repair, regenerative medicine, and innovations in transplants and implants, with applications in the surgical, orthopedic, and treatment of degenerative diseases.

The doctorate does not only train experts in specific scientific disciplines but also focuses on developing transversal skills that are crucial for the professional success of doctoral students:

• Critical Thinking and Autonomy in Research: Students are encouraged to develop independent scientific thinking, conducting research autonomously with a rigorous and innovative approach.
• Communication Skills and International Collaboration: Doctoral students will acquire skills to present their scientific results in seminars, conferences, and international publications, fostering collaboration with global experts and comparison on scientific discoveries.
• Ethics and Professional Responsibility: The program promotes a strong commitment to research ethics, training doctoral students to manage data securely and consider the social and medical implications of their discoveries.

The PhD program in Medical, Omic, and Oncologic Sciences includes a broad program of training activities, including courses, seminars, and workshops, which will be organized and subsequently published on the website of the Doctoral School. In addition to these activities, there are also paths for the development of complementary skills, promoted by the IUSS Ferrara 1391. These include: English language tutoring and preparation courses for the language proficiency test (Cambridge ESOL), English for STEM subjects to facilitate the integration of technical-scientific language, Italian courses for foreigners, and language exams to facilitate the integration of international doctoral students, a course on "Communicating Research" that teaches how to write articles, projects, and posters effectively to communicate one's professional projects.

Furthermore, there are courses on "Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer" that offer tools for the protection and valorization of industrial property and a module on "Advanced Training and Laboratory in European Project Design" to prepare participants to develop projects for Horizon Europe. The course "Doctorate and the World of Work" will provide the necessary skills to face a career transition, while "Doctorate and Open Innovation" will focus on complementary skills to the academic world, promoting professional and personal growth. An "Ethics for Doctoral Students" course will delve into the ethical principles of research.

Being the doctorate part of a Department of Excellence (Department of Medical Sciences), the training activity also includes monthly seminars with national and international experts and an annual meeting for sharing preclinical and clinical research between doctoral students and specialists, in order to stimulate scientific debate and collaboration.

Furthermore, the program includes a period of international mobility, with at least three months of stay at qualified academic or industrial institutions, both Italian and foreign, to promote the exchange of knowledge and the consolidation of global scientific relations. Specific funds for mobility will be made available by the Department of Excellence, the IUSS Ferrara, and the University.

Finally, Professor Paolo Pinton, current Coordinator of the PhD program, and Professor Carlotta Giorgi, future Coordinator, are launching a joint PhD program with Kansai Medical University (KMU) in Osaka, which will allow doctoral students to obtain a double degree, with the possibility of spending a year of research at each of the two universities. The course also benefits from an International Advisory Board that will monitor the progress of doctoral students during their training path.

Vedi l'offerta formativa

The PhD program, as the highest level of study in the Italian education system, is an extraordinary tool for strengthening the conditions for the development of an economy with a high intensity of knowledge, competitiveness, and resilience. In particular, the PhD program in Medical, Omic, and Oncologic Sciences is an advanced training program that aims to provide candidates with an in-depth knowledge of biotechnology and its applications. A significant limitation of the current training system is the limited preparation of those who complete tertiary education with a real work environment. On the contrary, during the 3 years of training, the candidate will carry out direct research activities in the best laboratories offered by the University of Ferrara. The course is structured to provide candidates with a complete and in-depth growth with particular attention to the practical applications of these technologies. Furthermore, the strategies proposed by the Department of Excellence, which aim to promote greater dialogue between preclinical and clinical research, aim to insert doctoral students in complex, translational, and competitive projects that give them further impetus to acquire funding in the future. This benefit will also translate into greater collaboration with industry and/or private companies in the area and in securing collaborations and/or commissions, also thanks to the creation of a completely new website of the proposing Department with a section dedicated to the PhD program. The course is designed to encourage collaboration between the academic world and the industrial and social world. Experts from industry and society will be involved in cultural training and research, providing candidates with a practical and real perspective on the applications of biotechnology. In addition, candidates will have the opportunity to carry out internships at companies and organizations in the sector, acquiring practical experience and developing skills useful for their future career.

The members of the Faculty Board of the PhD program in Medical, Omic, and Oncologic Sciences excel in competitive research activities characterized by a high level of modernity and innovation, and by unanimous international recognition. The doctoral student will not only be trained according to the highest existing technological standards but will also be able to participate directly in the development of tomorrow's biomedical technologies. The PhD program in Medical, Omic, and Oncologic Sciences is designed to have a high translational level. The presence in the board of members belonging to different scientific sectors, many of whom are affiliated with the University Hospital of Ferrara, will guarantee the best opportunities for the development of knowledge, technologies, and operational practices transferable to the biomedical sector and the productive world, with particular attention to patenting. The internationalization activity of the PhD program in Medical, Omic, and Oncologic Sciences develops mainly along three complementary lines: research, assistance, and teaching, with the aim of increasing the level of internationalization through the competitiveness of its doctoral students and faculty members and their activities on the international scene. The PhD program has always worked to increase its degree of internationalization by supporting and strengthening cooperation with foreign institutions and guaranteeing full support for training activities. An important role in favor of internationalization will be played by visiting professors from foreign research institutions, as foreseen in the project of the Department of Excellence. The internationalization activity will also be strengthened through initiatives undertaken by the PhD program that will lead to increasing the mobility of doctoral students (from at least 3 months to 1 year) and to favor the exchange between professors in other national and/or international locations by building privileged relationships with important international partners, in order to establish fruitful collaborations in the field of research and postgraduate training. In this context, the design of a joint doctorate UNIFE-KMU for obtaining a double doctorate is being inserted. The cultural exchange associated with the mobility of our doctoral students and/or faculty members will not only increase the quality of research activities but will also contribute to improving the training path of doctoral students, placing them in an international and multidisciplinary environment. The ability to attract foreign students will be a priority for the PhD program, which aims for a full and effective external projection by publicizing the course at foreign research centers with which its members already collaborate actively. Social profiles will be activated to promote the dissemination of doctoral paths in secular society and in particular among young people. In summary, this PhD program is a highly demanding experience that offers advanced training in a rapidly evolving field, with a strong national and international orientation and development and a particular focus on collaboration with the industrial and social world. Candidates will have the opportunity to acquire practical skills and contribute significantly to the field of biotechnology, preparing for a successful career in this ever-growing sector.

Operational and Scientific Structures

Equipment and/or Laboratories

The laboratories are distributed in structures dedicated to basic, translational, and clinical research and are equipped for: bacterial and eukaryotic cell cultures, nucleic acid and protein analysis, mutational analysis, two-dimensional electrophoresis, digital imaging systems for functional genomics, biochemical and molecular biology studies, Neurochemistry/Neuroimmunology, MS/MS mass spectrometry for class 3 pathogens, and AAV production Animal facility.

Library Holdings

At the University of Ferrara, a university library system is available (http://www.unife.it/sba) to access the main scientific journals in the sector, which cover the different fields of preclinical and clinical research present in this PhD program.

The University of Ferrara has activated various online subscriptions to the main scientific journals in the research fields related to the PhD program. The Santa Maria delle Grazie Chemical-Biological Library has a collection of 1501 periodicals in ACNP, of which 42 are active, and the Erigenda Library of Medicine has 64 periodicals in ACNP, of which 12 are active.

E-resources

The University provides collections of international journals shared with virtually all Italian universities, and the main biomedical databases (such as PubMed, ENSEMBL Genome Browser, SciFinder, and BioMed Central) are available with free access. Doctoral students can freely access the University Library System, using AtoZ, the single catalog of UniFE electronic journals.

There is a computer facility for three-dimensional reconstruction and image deconvolution. In addition, various laboratories affiliated with the PhD program have software for genomic analysis, biological databases, and programs capable of supporting data recovery and analysis.

Each laboratory is equipped with personal computers and studies with workstations dedicated to the activities of doctoral students.

Other

At the "Sant'Anna" University Hospital of Ferrara, doctoral students will have access to the following departments: endocrinology, pneumology, internal medicine, gynecology and obstetrics, surgery, dermatology, hematology, dentistry, anatomical pathology, rheumatology, legal medicine, ophthalmology, and clinical oncology.