Program Overview

Biochemistry PhD Program

Overview

The PhD in Biochemistry is part of the doctoral training in biomolecular and biomedical sciences. The program aims to train young scientists who can identify key scientific problems in life sciences, address and solve molecular issues in both basic and applied biochemistry, develop experimental skills, and apply suitable techniques for innovative research.

Educational Goals

The program's educational goals include:

• Identifying key scientific problems in life sciences
• Addressing and solving molecular issues in both basic and applied biochemistry
• Developing experimental skills and applying suitable techniques for innovative research
• Gaining a broad and interdisciplinary scientific foundation
• Critically interpreting data and presenting findings effectively at national and international levels

Research Areas

Research areas include:

• Biochemistry of prokaryotes and eukaryotes: study of physiological/pathological processes, oxidative stress, energy metabolism, vitamins, and cofactors
• Proteomics and metabolomics: redox proteomics, signal transduction, neurodegeneration, chronic inflammation, aging, cancer, transcriptomics
• Structural and molecular biology: protein-protein, protein-nucleic acid, and protein-ligand complexes via X-ray crystallography and cryo-EM
• Molecular biophysics: protein folding, stability, molecular interactions, enzymatic/redox catalysis, bioenergetics
• Bioinformatics: computational analysis of macromolecules, protein design, genomics, drug development, and algorithm creation
• Applied biochemistry and biotechnologies: metabolic engineering, neurodegenerative/infectious diseases, nanotechnologies, drug targets, development of novel antimicrobials, green chemistry

Program Structure

The program supports key priorities of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), including new therapeutic agents, aging, complex diseases, omics approaches, and targeted drug delivery systems. Training includes lectures, seminars, and courses by Italian and international experts from academia, research institutes, and industry. PhD students engage actively in the scientific community through journal clubs, conferences, workshops, the National Meeting of PhD Students in Biochemical Disciplines, and the annual Symposium of the Doctoral School in Biology and Molecular Medicine (BeMM). Research progress is monitored through annual reports, oral presentations, and thesis evaluations.

Program Details

• ID: 10993
• Course type: Dottorato
• Academic year: 2025/2026
• Positions: 6
• Grant numbers: 0
• Number of scholarships financed by institutions: 0
• Number of scholarships financed by consortiums: 0

Evaluation and Assessment

• Exam - written: Giorno: 8/7/2025 Ora: 09:00 Aula: aula C ed. CU014 (edificio Cannizzaro)
• Exam - Oral: Giorno: 17/7/2025 Ora: 09:00 Aula: aula C ed. CU014 (edificio Cannizzaro)
• Tests - Evaluation of qualifications: Giorno: 3/7/2025

Department and Staff

• Department: Scienze biochimiche "Alessandro Rossi Fanelli"
• Coordinator: Maria Luisa Mangoni
• Staff: Daniela Padulo
• School: Scuola di dottorato in Biologia e Medicina molecolare

Goal

The goal of the program is to train ethical, rigorous, and independent researchers ready to contribute to science in academia and industry.